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Holiday Gift Giving Tips
Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanza will be here soon! Have you started shopping yet? One stop shopping at Barrington’s Deals 4u for all your holiday shopping.
November and December include Christmas (Dec. 25), Hanukkah (Dec. 21, thru Dec. 28 ) and Kwanzaa (Dec. 26, 2008 -Jan. 1, 2009), which all have distinct gift traditions.
Five Etiquette Tips for Hassle-free Gift Giving
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Our best advice is don’t stress about all those gifts you have to buy. Here are a few rules to follow.
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Get their wish list.
Ask people for hints or even a wish list. Gather ideas during the year, and write everything down.
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Trust your judgment.
Forget about being afraid the gift isn't "perfect." If you think the person will like it, chances are they will.
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Stick to your budget.
Spending more than you should takes the fun out of gift giving. There’s nothing more nerve-racking than overspending—and feeling uneasy about it.
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Buy it when you see it.
If you’re shopping in July and see a sweater that your mother would love, buy it. It probably will not be available when you look for it again in December.
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Start a gift closet.
Stash a few gifts that will work in a pinch: copies of your favorite cookbook, a good bottle of wine, or boxes of beautiful note cards. That way you will be ready if you need a gift on the spot.
Who Do I Tip? And How Much?
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AuPair
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A gift from your family (or one-week’s pay), plus a small gift from your child
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Barber
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Cost of one haircut, and/or a gift
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Beauty salon staff
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$10 to $60 each, giving most to those who do the most for you, and/or a gift
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Child’s teacher
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Check your school’s policy first. Give a gift, not cash. Possibilities: gift certificate for a coffee shop, book store, or restaurant; book, picture frame, fruit basket or gourmet food item; or a joint gift with other parents and their children
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Day care providers
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$25 to $70 each, plus a small gift from your child. If there are only one or two providers, consider the higher range. |
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Dog walker
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One week’s pay and/or a gift
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| Fitness trainer, personal |
Cost of one session |
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| Garage attendants |
$10 to $30 each |
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| Housekeeper/cleaner |
One day’s pay |
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| Mail carriers |
U.S. government regulations permit carriers to accept gifts worth up to $20 each, not cash |
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| Massage therapist |
one session’s fee, and/or a gift |
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| Nanny |
One week’s to one month’s salary based on tenure and customs in your area, plus a small gift from your child |
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| Newspaper deliverer |
$10 to $30 |
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| Nurse, private |
A gift, not cash |
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| Nursing home employees |
A gift, not cash |
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| Package deliverer |
Small gift if you receive deliveries regularly; most delivery companies prohibit cash gifts |
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| Personal caregiver |
One week’s salary, plus a small gift |
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| Pet Groomer |
One session’s fee, and/or a small gift |
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| Pool Cleaner |
Cost of one cleaning |
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Residential building personnel:
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Superintendent
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$25 to $100
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Doorman
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$10 to $80
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Elevator operator
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$15 to $40
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Handyman
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$15 to $40
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Trash/recycling collectors
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$10 to $30 each (for private service); for municipal service, check local regulations
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Yard and garden worker
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$20 to $50
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Happy Holiday's from Barrington's Deals 4U
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Free PSP Game Downloads
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The Sony PSP is a slick portable gaming system highlighted by an impressive wide-screen display and PS2-like graphics. It also boasts built-in Wi-Fi, a Web browser, and the ability to play music and videos, as well as to store images.
Come on in and shop for discount
The Sony PSP portable gaming system
Free PSP Game Downloads
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