Tips on tricky holiday tipping

Holiday tipping is a tricky subject.

Whether it's out of gratitude or obligation, holiday tipping time is back. It seems we need a primer every year, but especially when one in ten Americans are out of work, how do you thank the many people who help get you through the day?

For dog walker Lisa Chang, her yearly salary that hasn't made her rich. But she is richly appreciated. And she relies on holiday tips. She says they're generous too, from $100 to $500.

But the truth is that three out of four Americans don't tip their dog walker. Or their gardener, or their mailman. Only one in ten tip the garbage man.

Peter Post, etiquette icon Emily Post's great grandson, says tipping, with cash or gifts, is good manners even in tough times.

So here are some tips for the holidays:

Tip 1: Don't skimp on valued employees. Evaluate who is most important to you and helps you most frequently, like your child care provider, elder care provider or dog walker.

Tip 2: For in-house help like housekeepers, nannies, personal caregivers or dog walkers, give at least one week of wages.

Tip 3: For babysitters, hairstylists and personal trainers give the cost of one session. The paper delivery person, trash collector and gardener should get a smaller cash gift.

Americans are tipping about the same amount as last year, with a median tip of $35.