The annual question of how much to tip the people who keep our lives running smoothly is back again. And even though I write this guide every year, I still find myself weighing the same considerations you do: How do I express genuine gratitude while staying aligned with my own budget and financial goals? Tipping is deeply personal—more art than science—and there is no single “right” amount. But in the spirit of clarity, fairness, and appreciation, here is your updated 2025 holiday tipping guide, shaped by the current economic landscape and the insights of etiquette experts, building professionals, and everyday New Yorkers.
Start with This: Tips Aren’t Obligatory—but They Are Meaningful
Etiquette experts like the Emily Post Institute remind us annually that a holiday tip is a gesture of appreciation, not a requirement. The most important starting point is simply acknowledging the people who genuinely made your year easier, safer, or more seamless.
Your list may go beyond building staff. Mine certainly has. This year, I’ll be adding my dog walker—the person who steps in with almost no notice when I have last-minute appointments, and who has been endlessly patient with my unpredictable schedule. He’s a new addition to the small group of people who help my home and my business run, and recognizing his contribution matters. So begin by making a list of your essential people—not the theoretical list, but the real one.
Budget First—Then Assign Amounts
A widely referenced guideline is to allocate about 1% of your annual income to holiday tipping. Consumer Reports echoed this in their 2024 survey, noting that most city residents tend to cluster around that number, adjusting up or down based on personal relationships.
One of my clients—a young professional who bought her first apartment on Park Avenue—worried she couldn’t “meet expectations” based on the building’s address. But addresses can be deceiving. What matters is starting with a realistic budget and making thoughtful, proportional choices. If you’re new to a building or still learning its culture, don’t overthink. Give what feels appropriate to you. Generosity is measured in spirit, not in decimals.
How to Think About Individual Tips
Once you know your overall budget, the harder part begins: distributing individual tips in a way that feels fair and reflects your relationship with each person.
Personal Service Providers
For weekly or bi-weekly services—housekeepers, nannies, pet professionals—the general guideline is the equivalent of one week’s pay, or the cost of one session for less frequent services. But relationships and their duration also matter.
My housekeeper has been with me for sixteen years and considers herself my son’s second mother. One week’s pay would be far too little for the role she plays in our lives. My dog walker, who saves me regularly with last-minute visits, will receive two weeks’ pay because his flexibility has saved my workday more than once.
Think of this category as: “How much gratitude do I want to express to the person who directly supports my daily life?”
Understanding Building Staff Roles—and Why They Deserve Thoughtful Consideration
Understanding the roles within your building is essential to understanding why holiday tipping matters. Building staff are the quiet infrastructure of city living—people who support you in ways you may rarely notice but rely on constantly.
The doormen and front desk team are often the first line of communication in your daily life, greeting you as you come home, receiving packages, coordinating access for domestic help, monitoring security cameras, and managing everything from unexpected deliveries to minor emergencies with calm efficiency. Even the overnight staff member you may never meet is still serving you—ensuring the building remains safe long after you’ve gone to sleep. In most Manhattan buildings, the typical tipping range for doormen and front desk staff falls between $40 and $200, with higher-end buildings often seeing more generous amounts.
Behind the scenes, the porters are equally essential. They clean the common areas, keep hallways and lobbies looking polished, manage the trash and recycling, and bring order to the constant churn of a multi-unit building. Their contribution is physical, continuous, and foundational to how your home feels when you step through the lobby each day. For porters, the 2025 holiday tipping range generally falls between $20 and $70.
Then there is the superintendent—often the most misunderstood role of all. Unless you live in a true full-service building with a large staff, your super is far more than the person who helps with repairs. They are, in effect, the building’s engineer. They are responsible for the systems you never think about: the monthly servicing of HVAC units and boilers, coordinating elevator maintenance, meeting with city inspectors, monitoring fire safety requirements, overseeing the porters, and addressing the inevitable leaks, floods, power issues, and mechanical failures that seem to occur at the least convenient times. And those issues don’t check whether the super is on duty or off, awake or asleep.
For that breadth of responsibility, the holiday tipping range for superintendents in 2025 typically starts around $75 and can rise to $300 or more, particularly in luxury or larger buildings where the workload—and skill level required—is significant.
Taken together, these roles form the backbone of your building. A thoughtful holiday tip is simply a way to recognize the everyday support that makes your life in New York not just manageable, but meaningful.
A Word on Service Quality During December
If you notice the service becoming a little extra polished this time of year…you’re not imagining it. The run-up to holiday tipping is, unofficially, “peak excellence season” in many buildings. Enjoy it—and reciprocate with gratitude that goes beyond cash. A gracious word can be almost as meaningful as the envelope. I always include a brief note recognizing a particular contribution or quality that meant something to me. Acknowledgment becomes motivation.
Final Thoughts for Tipping in 2025
This year more than ever, New Yorkers are feeling the pressure of rising costs—rent, mortgages, food, transportation, everything. Building staff and your domestic support are no exception. A holiday tip is a simple but powerful way to say: I see your work. I appreciate you. And thank you for keeping my home safe and functioning.
Give what feels right for you. Be consistent. Be kind. And may generosity—whatever its form—set the tone for your holiday season in both thought and action.
Warm wishes to you and your loved ones this holiday season.
FAQ: Holiday Tipping in NYC (2025 Edition)
Q: Is holiday tipping required in NYC buildings?
No. Holiday tipping is not mandatory. It is a gesture of appreciation for the people who make your daily life safer, smoother, or more comfortable. The amount—and whether you give at all—is a personal choice.
Q: How much should I budget overall for holiday tips?
A common guideline is to budget about 1% of your annual income, adjusting up or down based on your relationships, the size of your building staff, and your personal financial comfort. New residents should tip what feels appropriate, not what they assume others are giving.
Q: How much should I tip my building staff?
Typical 2025 NYC ranges are:
-
Doormen & Front Desk: $40–$200 each
-
Porters: $20–$70 each
-
Superintendents: $75–$300+
These amounts vary depending on building type, staff size, and the level of service you’ve received.
Q: Do I need to tip overnight staff even if I never see them?
Yes—if they are part of the building team, they are contributing to your safety and quality of life, even if your schedules never overlap. Most residents include all staff members who serve the building, not only the visible ones. Most managing agents will post a full list at the beginning of December.
Q: What do I give household help like housekeepers, nannies, or dog walkers?
A standard guideline is one week’s pay for regular weekly services. For less frequent services, many New Yorkers tip the cost of one session. Long-term or especially supportive relationships often warrant more.
Q: Should renters tip differently than owners?
Not necessarily. Both renters and owners rely on building staff. The appropriate amount should reflect your personal relationship with the staff, not your ownership status.
Q: What if my budget is limited this year?
Give what feels right for you. A sincere note of appreciation can be just as meaningful. Tipping is a gesture—not an obligation—and kindness counts.
Q: Should tips be cash or can I use a gift card?
Cash is almost always preferred by building staff and domestic workers. If you choose a gift card, pair it with a handwritten note acknowledging their contribution.
Q: What if I moved in recently and don’t know the staff well?
Tip according to the time you’ve lived there and the interactions you’ve had. New York etiquette generally encourages new residents to give something modest as a gesture of goodwill.
Q: Is it appropriate to ask neighbors what they're giving?
Yes—within reason. Many residents quietly compare notes to get a sense of building norms. But always give based on your own usage, experience, and comfort level.
Written by Julia Boland, a 24+ year NYC Real Estate Advisor specializing in Manhattan condos, co-ops, and new development, with deep expertise in Harlem and Upper Manhattan.
📍 Harlem to Tribeca | ✉️ [email protected] | 🌐 TheBolandTeamNYC.com | #TheBolandTeamNYC
