NYC Holiday Tipping Guide: How Much to Tip the Doorman, etc.

The complete guide to holiday tipping in NYC and how much you should give your super, doorman, mail carrier, and more.

As the holidays approach, it's time to think about the unsung heroes who make living in NYC a little bit easier. From holding doors in the rain to hailing a cab, the building staff help you every day in small yet significant ways. So, it's time to show them your appreciation with the annual tradition of holiday tips.

Most New Yorkers understand the importance of holiday tips or gifts for the service providers who make their lives run smoothly. A survey by Brick Underground found that 98% of homeowners who live in a doorman building planned on giving the staff tips for the holidays, and 68% planned to give $500 or more.

However, figuring out who to tip and how much to give can be tricky. To simplify the process, here is a complete NYC holiday tipping guide to help you set a budget and ensure no one gets left out.

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How Much to Tip Building Staff NYC

A good rule of thumb is to set aside about 20% of your monthly housing costs to finance any holiday tips for building staff, including the apartment doorman, superintendent, cleaning crew, maintenance workers, and anyone else working there.

So, if your mortgage or rent is around $5,000 per month, plan on setting aside about $1,000 for tips and holiday gifts for the apartment staff. You can dole it out to each staff member based on their job title and how much you interact with them daily.

However, it can depend on the size of your building. In a large high-rise with a small army of staff members, giving each person a little less is perfectly acceptable. The opposite is also true if you live in a smaller building where a little extra goes a long way.

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How Much to Tip Building Staff at Holiday Time

Now that you know how much to budget, how much do you tip each person? It largely depends on their role in the building and how often you interact with them. Here are a few suggestions for what to give each member of the staff.

How Much Do You Tip a Doorman in NYC?

Proper doorman tipping etiquette in NYC says you should give them $50-$150 around the holidays, even if you tip them regularly throughout the year. The doorman is an integral part of your daily routine and helps keep the building safe and orderly by accepting packages and screening visitors before they enter. So it's a nice gesture to reward them around the holidays.

How Much Do You Tip the Superintendent?

It's customary to tip the superintendent around $100 to $200. The superintendent gets the largest tip for keeping the entire building running by handling maintenance and responding to tenant issues. Although size matters here, the larger the building, the more you should tip.

How Much Do You Tip a Porter?

Don't forget the porter - the person who takes out the garbage and keeps the hallways clean. Although you likely interact more with the super and doorman vs the porter, they are still an integral part of the team and deserve a holiday to top as much as anyone else. A holiday bonus of $30-$50 will typically suffice.

How Much to Tip Apartment Maintenance Staff at the Holidays?

You should tip the handyman or woman who does repairs or helps around the apartment. Plan on giving them about $30 to $75, depending on how often you see them and how many staff members there are.

How Much Should I Tip My Mail Carrier at Holiday Time?

Finally, remember to tip your mail carrier during the holiday season, especially if you're an avid online shopper. Usually, about $20 will do, although be aware that different agencies have different rules regarding holiday gifts and tips.

• US Postal Service: Mail carriers cannot accept cash or any personal gift worth over $20. However, they recommend gift cards or baked goods as an acceptable alternative.
• FedEx: Drivers can accept gifts (but not cash) valued at $75 or less.
• UPS: Prefers non-cash gifts

Final Thoughts on How Much to Tip Condo Staff

So there is everything you need to know about how much to tip an NYC doorman, superintendent, maintenance crew, and more. However, keep in mind that these are just guidelines, not set rules. 

Ultimately, how much you tip depends on your budget and how well they performed their job. If you feel like a staff member in particular went above and beyond, a personalized note can go a long way toward showing your appreciation. Tipping can go a long way toward maintaining personal relationships with the people who help keep your building and daily life running smoothly.

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