2021 Holiday Tipping Guide: Babysitter Tip, Pet Sitter Tip, Housekeeper Tip

A holiday babysitter tip can be stressful to figure out as well as holiday tipping etiquette for other service providers. What is the appropriate babysitter tip or pet sitter tip during the holidays? What is the right amount for a nanny bonus? Do you tip your tutor or housekeeper? We can help. This year, like in past years, we asked families and babysitters from across the country to get the inside scoop on holiday tipping and gifting! UrbanSitter asked families to share how they handle holiday tipping – from babysitters and nannies to tutors.

HIGHLIGHTS OF HOLIDAY TIPPING

The Babysitter

51% of parents give a monetary tip to babysitters at the holidays, $25-50 is the most common babysitter tip followed by $50-100.
Of the other parents, 15% tip on every job, so they don’t give extra holiday tips. 16% don’t tip at all. Others give a gift instead of a tip (18%).
Gift cards and crafts are the top gifts for sitters and nannies this year. Check out our Babysitter Gift Guide for more ideas!
Fun fact: The size of babysitter tips has grown over the years during the holidays. In 2018, only 25% of parents were tipping more than $25. In 2021, 42% of parents are tipping more than $25 and 26% are tipping more than $50.
Breakdown of 2021 babysitter tip amounts:
- Under $15 (15%)
- $15-25 (18%)
- $25-50 (25%)
- $50-100 (24%)
- $100+ (18%)

The Nanny

The most common nanny bonus / nanny tip is one week’s pay.
53% of parents give their nanny a holiday tip, 33% give a gift instead of tip, 7% give a combination and 7% don’t tip at all.
Breakdown of 2021 nanny tip amounts:
- Less than 1 week’s pay (32%)
- 1 week’s pay (42%)
- 2 weeks’ pay (16%)
- 3 weeks’ pay (4%)
- > 3 week’s pay (6%)

The Pet Sitter

37% of pet owners give a holiday tip. 19% tip on every job, so they don’t give extra holiday tips. 35% don’t tip at all.
Of those that give a tip at the holidays, $25-50 is the most popular pet sitter tip followed by $15-25.
Breakdown of 2021 pet sitter tip amounts:
- Under $15 (37%)
- $15-25 (23%)
- $25-50 (28%)
- $50-100 (10%)
- $100+ (2%)

The Housekeeper

A large majority, 71% of families, give a holiday tip to their housekeeper. 33% give $100+ and 30% give between $50-100.
$100+ is the most popular tip. 71% of families give a holiday tip. 11% tip on every job, so they don’t give extra holiday tips. 12% don’t tip at all. Others give a gift instead of a tip (6%).
Breakdown of 2021 housekeeper tip amounts:
- Under $15 (7%)
- $15-25 (13%)
- $25-50 (17%)
- $50-100 (30%)
- $100+ (33%)