Who Deserves a Holiday Tip Best Year-End Tipping Practices

Summary

Earn Your Leisure Podcast

Episode: "Who Deserves a Holiday Tip? Best Year-End Tipping Practices"

Date: December 22, 2025
Hosts: Rashad Bilal, Troy Millings (with Maite Gomez Rejon and Co-host)

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Episode Overview

This episode delves into the topic of holiday tipping: who should receive a tip or year-end gift, how much is appropriate, and how tipping practices can nurture important relationships in daily life and business. The hosts share personal practices, offer practical advice, and touch on the cultural and etiquette aspects of tipping, especially within their community.

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Main Discussion Points and Insights

1. Who Should Receive Holiday Tips?

• The hosts list and debate the types of service workers and professionals to consider:
  • Valet parkers and doormen, especially if you live in a building with such services.
  • Teachers (with discussion about which grade levels and types).
  • Cleaning staff or housekeepers ("cleaning ladies").
  • Sanitation workers (garbage collectors) – particularly if you live in a private home.
  • Mail carriers and package delivery workers.
  • Barbers and personal care providers (manicurists).
  • School bus drivers.
  • Building concierges and house managers.

Quote:
"Valet for sure. Shout out to the guys doorman for sure because they, they keep a lot of chaos away teachers if they are a good teacher." — Co-host, [04:49]

Host note: Teachers are especially highlighted from preschool to elementary, with additional gifts when there's a significant positive relationship.

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2. Factors Influencing Who and How Much to Tip

• Living Situation Affects Tipping:
  If you live in an apartment vs. a private home, your roster of service workers will differ.
  "If you live in an apartment, you don't see a sanitation worker. So that's not even a thought. If you live in a home... that's a more personable thing." — Maite Gomez Rejon, [05:48]

• Relationship Quality and Service Level:
  They agree that only those who offer good service and positive attitude throughout the year should receive tips.
  "Are you not tipping anybody that does a bad job just because you do something?" — Maite Gomez Rejon, [12:07]

• Consistency:
  Workers relied on regularly (daily or weekly) should be especially considered.

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3. Etiquette and Cultural Awareness

• There is an acknowledgment that some people, especially within their community, may simply not be aware of holiday tipping etiquette, rather than being stingy: "A lot of people don't fully understand etiquette when it comes to year end gifts. Tipping holiday tips. They don't even know you have to do that." — Maite Gomez Rejon, [12:37]

• The conversation connects tipping to general business practice: "Even in business. You should be sending gifts out in the year for the people that's taking care of you." — Co-host, [13:13]

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4. Benefits of Tipping: Reciprocity and Service

• Hosts candidly discuss the pragmatic benefits of tipping beyond gratitude—better treatment and preferential service: "You're also having some level of, let's be honest, preferential treatment going forward." — Maite Gomez Rejon, [14:13]

  "They're going to treat you better... Pay it in advance." — Co-host, [14:33]

• Real-life examples are shared about hotel staff and restaurant servers offering perks, room upgrades, and improved experiences when tipped upfront.

• There’s humor and candid advice: "If you don't treat [your cleaning people and drivers] well, your information may end up on the dark web. So be careful. Take care of them, please." — Co-host, [16:02]

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5. How Much to Tip?

• There’s no fixed answer; it depends on the relationship and the role the worker plays in your life.
• Thoughtfulness, frequency, and acknowledgment of the value they provide all matter.

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6. Memorable/Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• "Anybody that you're relying on either on a daily or weekly basis that has a high level of customer service throughout the year should be getting a tip." — Maite Gomez Rejon, [13:38]
• "One way to get great service is to tip as soon as you get there... before dinner." — Co-host, [14:49]
• "Jabril... broke it down. Passport heavy. Shout out to him. He said what he does is he started tipping the hotel, checking people... and miraculously, he just starts getting room upgrades, fruit baskets sent to the room." — Maite Gomez Rejon, [15:10–15:29]
• "Take care of them, please." — Co-host, [16:08]

---

Noteworthy Segment Timestamps

• [04:01] – Introduction to the main topic: Who deserves a holiday tip?
• [04:16–05:48] – Listing of professions/service providers usually tipped.
• [05:48–06:39] – How living situation and personal relationships affect who you tip.
• [11:39–12:19] – Additional service providers (barbers, bus drivers); only tipping those who do a good job.
• [12:37–14:13] – Tipping etiquette, community awareness, and who should always receive a tip.
• [14:13–15:29] – The “pay it forward” mentality and how tips earn better experiences.
• [16:02–16:08] – The vital importance of caring for people in key roles.

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Tone and Language

Conversational, candid, practical, and informative, sprinkled with humor and personal anecdotes. The hosts emphasize real-world practicality, mutual respect, and goodwill, while keeping it relatable for their core audience.

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Summary Takeaways

• Tip those who provide valuable, consistent service to your life or family.
• Relationship quality and frequency are key to deciding who deserves a tip.
• Tipping is not only about gratitude but building goodwill and better service.
• Educate yourself and those in your community about year-end tipping etiquette.
• There’s no hard rule for amounts; be thoughtful and acknowledge those who make your life better.

---

For anyone wondering who deserves a tip during the holidays and why it matters, this episode offers a lively, nuanced “business class meets real life” breakdown—just in time for the season.

Transcript

[Podcast Host]

This is an I Heart podcast. Guaranteed human.

[Eva Longoria]

This is Eva Longoria from Hungry for History with Eva Longoria and Maite Gomez Rejon. Like the song says, it's the most wonderful time of the year and also a wonderfully busy one. All that merriment can weigh down even Santa's sleigh. So keep it wonderful by keeping yourself wonderful with a crisp, cold Coca Cola. Ah, pause for fizzy joy. Look out for yourself and then look out for everyone else, and together we'll make this season as wonderful as it's meant to be. Enjoy a Coca Cola refresh Your Holidays.

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[Public Investing Sponsor]

Max support for the show comes from Public, the investing platform for those who take it seriously. On public you can build a multi asset portfolio of stocks, bonds, options, crypto and now generated assets which allow you to turn any idea into an investable index with AI. If you it all starts with your prompt. From renewable energy companies with high free cash flow to semiconductor suppliers growing revenue over 20% year over year, you can literally type any prompt and put the AI to work. It screens thousands of stocks, builds a one of a kind index and lets you back test it against the S&P 500. Then you can invest in a few clicks. Generated assets are like EFTs with infinite possibilities, completely customizable and based on your thesis, not someone else's. Go to public.com podcast and earn an uncapped 1% bonus when you transact for your portfolio. That's public.com podcast paid for by Public Investing Brokerage Services by Open to the Public Investing Inc. Member FINRA SIPC Advisory Services by Public Advisors llc. SEC Registered Advisor Generated Assets is an interactive analysis tool. Output is for informational purposes only and is not investment recommendation or advice. Complete disclosures available at public.com disclosures hey.

[Ryan Seacrest]

It'S Ryan Seacrest for Albertsons and Safeway. The holiday season can be exhausting with all the parties and the end of year celebrations, but don't forget to take care of yourself by stocking up on your favorite nutritional products now through December 30th. Shop in store and online and save on items like Cliff Snack Bars, Luna Bars, Boost Nutritional Energy Drinks, Premier Protein Shakes, Z Bar Variety Packs, Open Nature Powder and Body Fortress Protein powder offers end December 30th. Restrictions apply. Offers may vary. Visit albertsons or safeway.com for more details.

[Maite Gomez Rejon]

So let me get this straight.

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[Maite Gomez Rejon]

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[Co-host or Guest]

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[Maite Gomez Rejon]

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[Maite Gomez Rejon]

Okay, let's talk about tipping. Who gets tipped? Who should you tip? What's, what's, what's the best practices for end of year tipping? You know, it's one of these things. A lot of service workers, this comes from Mike. He asked this question.

[Co-host or Guest]

It's a great question.

[Maite Gomez Rejon]

Garbage, garbage men, valet parker. Like if you live in a building that has like valet parkers, those guys concierge service. If you live in a building, but then it goes down teachers, it's a good. Yeah but then at what age do you like preschool teacher? Stuff like that. Are you, are you giving money to your, your son's high school teacher? Like what, who, who really needs an end of year monetary gift?

[Co-host or Guest]

Well, valet for sure. Shout out to the guys doorman for sure because they, they keep a lot of chaos away teachers if they are a good teacher.

[Maite Gomez Rejon]

So what age, what age teacher?

[Co-host or Guest]

I don't know but, but the ones that I've had it's been now first through fifth for Xander I like his teacher, his primary teacher a lot so I definitely give him something tomorrow matter of fact so but I don't, I think it depends on. But even in preschool they, you may think that they were not doing a lot but when I would just pop in they were. And then it was a family run daycare. They do a really good job. So I brought some stuff up there for Christmas too. And then cleaning ladies, like, that's like my second family. They make my life so much easier. So those are the ones that I take care of in. In my circle. Valet, doorman, teacher, house manager.

[Maite Gomez Rejon]

And it depends on if you live in an apartment or if you live in a home too. Because sanitation, that's a home thing. That's a private home thing.

[Co-host or Guest]

Yeah.

[Maite Gomez Rejon]

If you live in an apartment, you don't see a sanitation worker. So that's not even a thought. If you live in a home, then yeah, the sanitation guys come and you know, they come every Wednesday, they pick up the trash, you know, so that's a more personable thing. So I think it depends on your life because the valet parker, like I said, if you live in a building, that's important.

[Co-host or Guest]

That's a close relationship.

[Maite Gomez Rejon]

Yeah.

[Co-host or Guest]

Work wise. Yeah.

[Maite Gomez Rejon]

The mailman. The mailman.

[Co-host or Guest]

Maybe it depends on a relationship.

[Maite Gomez Rejon]

Well, it also depends on the service, but you know, it's just like if you don't. If like I feel like the mailman is. Is. Is important.

[Co-host or Guest]

Are people been getting mail like that anymore?

[Maite Gomez Rejon]

Nada. People still get mail. They get bills.

[Co-host or Guest]

True.

[Sponsor Voice (Square/Klarna)]

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[Podcast Host]

Basketball is here and the talent is unreal. Paige Beckers, Nafiza Collier, Kelsey Plumb, Brianna Stewart and more are back to redefine the game. Unrivaled basketball season two, sponsored by Samsung Galaxy, tips off January 5 on TNT, TruTV and HBO.

[Public Investing Sponsor]

Max support for the show comes from Public, the investing platform for those who take it seriously. On public, you can build a multi asset portfolio of stocks, bonds, options, crypto and now generated assets which allow you to turn any idea into an investable index. With AI. It all starts with your prompt. From renewable energy companies with high free cash flow to semiconductor suppliers growing revenue over 20% year over year. You can literally, literally type any prompt and put the AI to work. It screens thousands of stocks, builds a one of a kind index and lets you back test it against the S&P 500. Then you can invest in a few clicks Generated assets are like EFTs with infinite possibilities, completely customizable and based on your thesis, not someone else's. Go to public.com podcast and earn an uncapped 1% bonus when you transfer your portfolio. That's public.com podcast paid for by Public Investing Brokerage Services by Open to the Public Investing Inc. Member FINRA SIP Advisory Services by Public Advisors, llc SEC Registered Advisor Generated Assets is an interactive analysis tool. Output is for informational purposes only and is not investment recommendation or advice. Complete Disclosures [e-mail] disclosures hey, it's Ryan.

[Ryan Seacrest]

Seacrest for Albertsons and Safeway. The holiday season can be exhausting with all the parties and the end of year celebrations. But don't forget to take care of yourself by stocking up on your favorite nutritional products. Now through December 30, shop in store and online and save on items like Cliff Snack Bars, Luna Bars, Boost Nutritional Energy Drinks, Premier Protein Shakes, Z Bar Variety Packs, Open Nature Powder and Body Fortress Protein powder offers end December 30th. Restrictions apply. Offers may vary. Visit albertsons or safeway.com for more details.

[Maite Gomez Rejon]

But. But yeah, the male, the mailman.

[Co-host or Guest]

Barber.

[Maite Gomez Rejon]

Oh yeah, Barbara for sure.

[Co-host or Guest]

Yeah. Dave Shands make that conversation. Go crazy about if they charging too much but definitely holiday time. You got to take care of the barber.

[Maite Gomez Rejon]

School bus drivers.

[Co-host or Guest]

That's a good one.

[Maite Gomez Rejon]

The school bus drivers. Those guys are important. Or women. Yeah, they're important because they make sure your kid gets to to and from who.

[Co-host or Guest]

Are you not tipping anybody that does.

[Maite Gomez Rejon]

A bad job just because you do something? If you're a bad sanitation worker and you always the trash is always on the lawn. No, I'm not tipping you because.

[Co-host or Guest]

Or if you just have horrible energy.

[Maite Gomez Rejon]

Or yeah, if you're not a nice person. Yeah. But if you, if you do your job well, how much do you tip?

[Co-host or Guest]

It depends on the relationship, to be honest. Clean ladies, they they make my life so easy. Nice gift every year, you know, because.

[Maite Gomez Rejon]

This goes back to the wedding thing. Remember we talked about wedding? A lot of people don't know a lot of people especially unfortunately our community, they don't fully understand etiquette. A lot of times when it comes to weddings gifts, a lot of people don't fully understand etiquette when it comes to year end gifts. Tipping holiday holiday tips. They don't even know what you they don't even know you have to do that or that is something that is, you know, expected on a certain level. Right. So it's like it's not even that they're trying to be cheap. It never, the thought never crossed their mind that to give a sanitation worker a hundred dollars.

[Co-host or Guest]

Yeah. But people also what my thing is to do to others, how you want them to do you. So deep down, I think some people know. They just may not think it's a requirement. Even in business. You should be sending gifts out in the year for the people that's taking care of you.

[Maite Gomez Rejon]

Well, that's bonus. Year in bonus.

[Co-host or Guest]

Yeah. And a gift may not be bad in addition to. So in combination, if a person has been exemplary for you.

[Maite Gomez Rejon]

Yeah. But rule of thumb, anybody that, anybody that you're relying on either on a daily or weekly basis that has a high level of customer service throughout the year should be getting a tip. So if you, if you're relying on your, on your sanitation worker, if you're relying on your valet parker, if you're relying on your concierge guide, you're building, if you're relying on your, on your FedEx worker, if you're relying on your mail worker, if you're relying on your barber, if you're relying on the lady that does your, your manicures, if, if, if you're relying on, you know, your, the bus driver to make sure that your kid gets to and from school safely. If you're relying on a, on a preschool teacher that has to stay with the kids all day every day and they, they don't, they don't get different classes. They only have one group of kids for the whole entire day because a, you're thanking them, but B, you're also having some level of, let's be honest, preferential treatment going forward.

[Co-host or Guest]

Yes.

[Maite Gomez Rejon]

They're going to treat you better.

[Co-host or Guest]

Pay it in advance.

[Maite Gomez Rejon]

Let's be honest. Right? Like, I mean, I, I, it's just one of those things like, yeah, driver.

[Co-host or Guest]

If you have one, they're going to.

[Maite Gomez Rejon]

Make sure that you get better treatment than everybody else because you went over.

[Co-host or Guest]

And above everybody else, especially in the restaurant setting, too. Like, one way to get great service is the tip as soon as you.

[Maite Gomez Rejon]

Get there before, before dinner.

[Co-host or Guest]

Helps a lot. I wouldn't have a reservation. That'll go away in a couple of times. I used to have an issue in sexy film. You have no pants.

[Maite Gomez Rejon]

Don't.

[Co-host or Guest]

Don't worry about it. Thank you.

[Maite Gomez Rejon]

You know, Jabril brought it, broke it down. Passport heavy. Shout out to him. He said what he does is he started tipping the hotel, checking people.

[Co-host or Guest]

It helps a lot. It helps a lot, bro. Especially la. You want to go to Mexico he starts, he's like.

[Maite Gomez Rejon]

And then miraculously he just starts getting room upgrades, fruit baskets sent to the room.

[Co-host or Guest]

Even when I go to Cabo, like they'll connect you with the other people that are moving the show. Hey, do you know such and such. He's a director though. I don't know. I have no clue what that nature documentary was on, on BBC. Cool. Connect me because you're, you're paying it forward first and they may not be able to give you the gratitude back monetarily, but they'll be able to do it in service or another way. It helps. Yeah. And for your cleaning people and drivers and all that, if you don't treat them well, your, your information may end up on the dark web. So be careful. Take care of them. Take care of them, please.

[Maite Gomez Rejon]

That's a fact. That's a fact. Monetary gifts for everybody. That's important.

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[Maite Gomez Rejon]

Forward.

[Podcast Host]

Season two of Unrivaled Basketball is here and the talent is unreal. Paige Beckers, Nafiza Collier, Kelsey Plumb, Brianna Stewart and more are back to redefine the game. Unrivaled basketball season two, sponsored by Samsung Galaxy, tips off January 5 on TNT, TruTV and HBO Max support for the.

[Public Investing Sponsor]

Show comes from Public, the investing platform for those who take it seriously. On Public, you can build a multi asset portfolio of stocks, bonds, options, crypto and now generated assets which allow you to turn any idea into an investable index with AI. It all starts with your prompt. From renewable energy companies with high free cash flow to semiconductor suppliers growing revenue over 20% year over year, you can literally, literally type any prompt and put the AI to work. It screens thousands of stocks, builds a one of a kind index and lets you back test it against the S&P 500. Then you can invest in a few clicks. Generated assets are like EFTs with infinite possibilities, completely customizable and based on your thesis, not someone else's. Go to public.com podcast and earn an uncapped 1% bonus when you transfer your portfolio. That's public.com podcast paid for by Public Investing Brokerage Services by Open to the Public Investing Inc. Member FINRA SIP Advisory Services by Public Advisors, llc SEC Registered Advisor Generated Assets is an interactive analysis tool. Output is for informational purposes only and is not investment recommendation or advice. Complete Disclosures [e-mail] disclosures hey, it's Ryan.

[Ryan Seacrest]

Seacrest for Albertsons and Safeway. The holiday season can be exhausting with all the parties and the end of year celebrations, but don't forget to take care of yourself by stocking up on your favorite nutritional products. Now through December 30, shop in store and online and save on items like Cliff Snack Bars, Luna Bars, Boost Nutritional Energy Drinks, Premier Protein Shakes, Z Bar Variety Packs, Open Nature Powder and Body Fortress Protein powder offers end December 30th. Restrictions apply. Offers may vary. Visit albertsons or safeway.com for more details.

[Podcast Host]

Okay, only 10 more presents to wrap. You're almost at the finish line. But first.

[Eva Longoria]

There the last one.

[Podcast Host]

Enjoy a Coca Cola for a pause that refreshes.

[Eva Longoria]

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[Podcast Host]

This is an iHeart podcast. Guaranteed Human.