Holiday Tipping ~ A Complete Guide Holiday Tipping ~ A Complete Guide

  NannyQuest, Inc.

December, 2011

From home to home, and heart to heart, from one place to another. The warmth and joy of
the season brings us closer to each other. - Emily Matthews

In This Issue:

:: You CAN afford the best Household Help!

:: Your Complete Holiday Tipping Guide

YOU CAN AFFORD 
THE BEST HOUSEHOLD HELP 

Did you ever wish you could just pick up the phone and call someone who would take stock of your situation, help you access the right services, allowing you to channel your energy and time as effectively as possible? If your answer is "yes," you're not alone. Having the help of an experienced household manager, housekeeper, chef, or college-educated nanny could make life easier.  Even in these crunching economic times, the question is not whether you can afford help, but can you afford NOT to have help?  Do your children have the added benefit of a nanny who has taught school, will stimulate their minds and help with academic excellence?  Does your housekeeper pay attention to detail and truly make your life easier?  Did you know that a personal chef can cost less than dining out (to say nothing of the nutritional value and health involved.)  Does your aging parent want to stay in their own home, but need the assistance of an honest, caring companion?   When you place that call to NannyQuest,  you can count on having the personal aid of an experienced professional, whether it be a house manager, chef, or a college-educated nanny.  Many of our clients express the concern that they don't have enough work for a full-time nanny, housekeeper, or other help....until they discover that a NannyQuest professional can take so much off of their plate:

*Shop for gifts and wrap gifts! OR entertain the children while YOU shop! 

*Help with preparing food ahead of time.

*Shop for groceries and put them away.

*Let the nanny take children on holiday field trips while you decorate the house, OR let them decorate the house while you enjoy field trips with your children.

*Help out as a personal Assistant.  Address invitations, keep a web-based calendar, schedule appointments.

*Take pets to the vet or groomer.

Some of our clients look for "Mommy Clones" or a "Mini Me" so that they can spread themselves out among the people who need their attention.

All candidates have been thoroughly vetted through our unique seven step process and appropriate background checks have been done.  We know this time of year can be stressful as you try to get things done.  We hope we can help make it a little bit easier.   

To begin, simply click here and go to "Potential Client."  It's that easy.

I NEED HELP!

If you are not in need of household help at this time, please forward this email to associates and friends who are looking for college-educated nannies, experienced housekeepers, personal assistants, baby specialists, or any other type of household help. 

HOLIDAY TIPPING

 from the Emily Post Institute:

Appreciating the people who help you.  It's not only a recommended practice, but one that can lead to longer relationships and higher loyalty.  At least once a week, express your approval of a job well done.  It does wonders for those who work for you.  See below for Emily Post's recommended holiday tipping procedures:

Au pair or live-in nanny - one week's pay and a gift from your child.

Regular babysitter - one evening's pay and a small gift from your child.

Day care provider, a gift from you or $25-$70 for each staff member.

Live-in help - one week to one month of pay as a cash tip, plus a gift from you.

Private nurse - a thoughtful gift from you.

Housekeeper/cleaner - up to the amount of one week's pay and a small gift.

Nursing home employees - a gift that could be shared by the staff (flowers or food items).

Personal trainer - up to the cost of one session or a gift.

Massage therapist - up to the cost of one session or a gift.

Pet groomer - up to the cost of one session or a gift.

Dog walker - up to one week's pay or a gift.

Personal caregiver - between one week's to one month's salary or a gift.

Pool cleaner - the cost of one cleaning to be split among the crew.

Garage attendants - $10-$30 or a small gift.

Newspaper delivery person - $10-30 or a small gift.

Mail carrier - small gift.

Doorman - $15-$80. $15 or more each for multiple doormen, or a gift.

Handyman - $15 to $40.

Yard/Garden worker - $20-$50 each or a gift

Teachers - a gift (not cash) Having been there, I beg to differ with Emily Post on this one.  Cash was the most appreciated gift of all.  Teachers are never paid enough!

Wait service (sit down) - 15-20% pretax.

Wait service (buffet) - 10%.

Takeout - no obligation, 0-10% if the person went above normal service.

Bartender - $1 per drink or 15-20% of tab.

Restroom attendant - 50 cents-$3, depending on service.

Valet, $2-$5.

Skycap, $2 first bag, $1 per additional bag.

Hotel Housekeeper - $2-$5 per day, left daily.

Concierge - $5 for tickets or reservations, $10 if hard to get; no need to tip for answering questions.

Taxi driver, 15% plus an extra $1-$2 if helped with bags.

Manicurist - 15-20%

Facial, waxing, massage - 15-20%

                             YOU WILL BE WORKING DIRECTLY WITH:

Elizabeth Walsh is the founder and president of NannyQuest, Inc. Elizabeth grew up in Kingsport, Tennessee. She attended Emory & Henry College in Virginia, graduating Cum Laude with a major in English and a minor in Education. After teaching kindergarten, she directed an Atlanta private preschool for 10 years, interviewing and hiring teachers, managing curriculum, and assuring that all children were nurtured in mind, body and spirit. Beth says, "In this position, I met many nannies who were employed by the families of Atlanta. Some were outstanding, others were not. I decided to provide parents with a source for educated nannies...candidates who would provide a good role model for children with their speech patterns, values, and lifestyles. Also, as a mother of five, I am concerned about the quality of childcare available. I know what I am looking for and I am very selective."

It was an idea whose time had come. NannyQuest quickly became the leading nanny referral agency in Atlanta. The NannyQuest reputation has been spread by satisfied clients to most of the larger cities in the United States.  

When they are not working, Beth and her husband Neil spend as much time as possible in their log home in the North Georgia mountains, where they enjoy fly-fishing, perennial gardening, and being the empty-nester parents of 5 children (ages 34 to 25) and grandparents of McClain (age 5) and Christian (age 4.)  Riley the goldendoodle enjoys their full attention.

Elizabeth@NannyQuest.net 

706-947-1809 

Jennifer Fitzgerald is our Domestic Specialist and handles the referrals of NannyQuest housekeepers and home managers. Jennifer has extensive experience with executive families in the Atlanta area, and is dedicated to providing trustworthy, dependable housekeepers, home managers, chefs and butlers to area families. Jennifer grew up in Bellefontaine, Ohio. She has lived in the Atlanta area for 30 years. Jennifer and her husband Don have two grown sons, two grandsons, (Zachary, 16 and Landry, 7) and two granddaughters (Lily, 5 and Chloe, 1.) When Jennifer is not working (which is a rare occasion) she enjoys being on the golf course with her family and keeping up with her two bulldog pups (almost a full-time job in itself.)

Jenny@NannyQuest.net

770-456-2162

We look forward to assisting you in your search for any type of household help.

elizabeth@nannyquest.net

jenny@nannyquest.net

www.nannyquest.net
770-992-0575 (Main Line)

706-947-1809 (Direct Line)

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