The Good Life For Less: Holiday Tipping Guide

It's the season of giving and that means giving the service people in your life a little something extra -- a holiday tip!

These are the people who take care of you, your kids or elderly family members, your pets, your home, or deliver to you regularly.

So who do you tip and much do you give? Should money even be given?

Kiplinger put together this great quiz to help you wade through the etiquette of end-of-year tipping.

And here is an another easy to use tipping list from Emily Post, one of the top etiquette guides.

Now remember, these aren't the rules -- they are simply guidelines in case you want to give a little something extra to the people that make your life run more smoothly.

These are not made to you feel guilty if you are strapped for cash. You can always prioritize by who goes above and beyond to help you through the year -- like the dog walker that always takes special care of Fido or the babysitter that comes by at last minute notice. Or maybe tip by who is most in need, the people who may be getting by on even less than you this year.

No one wants to see you struggle to say thank you and if you can't afford a tip, a holiday card or handwritten note is a nice way to say thanks.

Writing something that lets people know you appreciate the service they've done for you all year and that maybe it was a difficult year for you but you plan on resuming tipping when things improve, isn't out of line.

Also a nice plate of holiday cookies, a small bouquet of flowers, or a bag of treats can show you care and recognize the work they are doing for you.

Most importantly, it's the 'Thank you!' that says it all and can boost their day. That's what makes this time of year so magical.

-Alison Lorge is a web producer and consumer blogger at WCCO.