Good Cheer

Year-end giving is top of mind for many agencies, knowing that she could be seeking to end her year on a charitable note with an extra tax deduction to boot. Mailboxes are filled with donation requests and merchant catalogues reminding us that December 22 is the last day to ship a gift in order for it to get to it's destination on time (and boy will they charge you for your last minute-ness).

Many stations are gifting their audience with a slammin' holiday concert featuring that formats hottest acts. I'm hearing more friends eliminating Christmas and holiday cards from their to-do list this year and opting to make and send something online. An online radio card would be sweet to get, I'd actually appreciate this more than a regular online card from my sister. She's not so techy, but our stations are. I suggest taking full advantage of all the free social networking available and send greetings via You-Tube, Facebook, Twitter etc.

Toyota has brilliant use of You-Tube for their Swagger Wagon campaign. If you've not seen this log check it out at ( insert link). There are too many options available not to make this "the most wonderful time of the year." So grab the crew, don a few reindeer ears and who knows you might even make something so cool it becomes a viral phenomenon. It's worth a shot right? Besides, I've always wanted to see you decorate gingerbread men cookies while singing Santa Baby.

She buzz words

• holly
• holy
• icicles
• jolly
• lights
• lists
• merry
• miracle

Right now she could be..

• Making ornaments
• Lighting the Menorah
• Taking a child to the pediatrician
• Buying an electric blanket

She could be a ...

• Mother in need of some toys for her kids
• Office temp worker
• Baker
• Candy maker
• gift wrap and customer service person at mall
• caterer
• babysitter
• house sitter
• pet sitter
• dishwasher

She Tips

Regardless of her economic woes, she's still expected to acknowledge and tip those who provided her with some form of good service throughout the year. Here are few views so she can get it right:

According to Real Simple magazine:

• Child care staff: $20-$70 per caregiver
• Doorman, superintendent, building staff: $20-$100 depending on what they do during the year
• Gift wrapper: $1-$5 per package
• Hairstylist: double the usual tip
• Hotel bellman, doorman, or skycap: $2 for the first bag, $1 for the rest
• Holiday caterer: 20% of bill
• Mail Carrier: USPS employees are allowed to accept gifts or cash up to $20
• Personal trainer: the amount of one session

According to the blog Free Money Finance:

• Mail carrier: $20
• Hairdresser: $20 (don't try this in Manhattan)
• Cleaning person: $75
• Occasional babysitter: $25
• Full-time nanny: $270
• Gardener/yard worker: $50
• Newspaper carrier: $15
• Garbage collector: $20

According to CNN Money

• Babysitter: one night's pay plus small gift from child
• Full-time nanny: One week to one month of pay depending on how long they have worked plus a small gift from child
• Child care service: $25-70 plus small gift from child
• Teacher: $25-$100; a gift certificate is also appropriate
• Coaches, tutors, dance instructors, music teachers, etc.: a small gift from child
• Parking attendants: $10-$35 each or up to half-a-month's rate for a group if you park regularly
• Hairdresser: cost of one hair cut plus small gift
• Manicurist: cost of one session plus small gift
• Massage therapist: $50-$100 or cost of one session
• Dog groomer: Small gift plus 1/4-1/2 the cost of one session
• Dog walker: Cost of one session up to one week's pay
• FedEx, USPS, etc.: up to $25 if you get regular deliveries
• Churches usually have an offering for the clergy

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