THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, December 22, 2023 Page 21 BBB | FROM PAGE 20 your gratitude. According to the Emily Post Institute, homemade gifts or a simple thank you note are perfectly acceptable ways to say “thank you” when funds are short. • Start planning tips early. You don’t want to be scrambling through your purse to fi nd some extra cash when you see your regular delivery driver pull up. Once you set your tipping budget, make a list of who you plan to tip and how much. Do this as early as possible, keeping in mind that tipping before the holidays are offi cially here means the recipient will have extra cash for holiday spending. • Tip with cash when possible. Cash is usually the best way to give a tip. It means the recipient has access to the funds right away and won’t have to pay any fees to use the money. That said, if you regularly pay someone via an app and want to tip that way, you can. Just make sure you include a brief note letting them know the extra money is a tip for their excellent service. • Make the tip attractive. For a classic tip, The Wall Street Journal says crisp bills in an envelope that reads “Thank You” on For Advertising with Results, call The Advocate Newspapers at 617-387-2200 or Info@ advocatenews.net Clean-Outs! We take and dispose from cellars, attics, garages, yards, etc. Call Robert at: 781-844-0472 the outside is ideal. You can even write a brief thank you note to express your gratitude when appropriate. • Tip according to the depth of your relationship. Match your tip amount to the quality and quantity of work the person does for you. If you hire a babysitter occasionally, an appropriate tip might be the equivalent of one evening’s pay. On the other hand, if you have a live-in housekeeper, an entire week’s pay would be suitable. • Know whom not to tip. Some professionals can’t accept tips because of ethical reasons, including doctors, lawyers, and government officials. Some companies don’t allow their employees to accept tips. Don’t be afraid to ask up front if a professional or company employee can accept tips if you aren’t sure. When appropriate, a gift is a good alternative. Tipping by profession • Personal service providers. For hairdressers, massage therapists, or any other personal-service provider you regularly tip, consider upping your tip amount during the holiday season. If you usually tip 20%, make it 40%. Depending on your budget, you may decide to tip them the cost of an entire visit. The same goes for other service providers, like your dog walker or groomer. The equivalent of one service makes for a generous end-of-the-year tip. • Nannies, babysitters and caregivers. A similar rule applies to tipping childcare, home health aides, and similar professions. Tipping the cost of a session, such as an evening’s pay for a regular sitter, is considered standard. For a live-in nanny, consider a bonus of up to a week’s wages. For those hired through a service, make sure you check that they are allowed to accept tips before giving. • Building staff . If you live in an apartment building, consider tipping cleaners, superintendents, security, and concierges. Somewhere between $25 to $100 each is a good range for this kind of service. • Mail and delivery service providers. U.S. Postal Service workers may not accept gifts of cash or gift cards, but they can accept small gifts worth $20 or less. FedEx and UPS employees are encouraged to decline cash gifts, but they can accept small personal gifts when making a delivery. • Professional service providers. Most professionals, such as teachers, doctors, lawyers, etc., won’t accept cash gifts, so consider giving them a gift card or present instead, with a note of thanks. For more information Gift cards are a classic way to show your appreciation. But before buying, check out these tips from BBB at https://www. bbb.org/article/news-releases/14400-dont-get-scammedout-of-a-gift-card-this-season. Read this article for advice on picking corporate gifts at https://www.bbb.org/article/news-releases/23398-bbbbusiness-tip-how-to-pick-theright-corporate-gift-this-holiday-season. Get more tips for the holiday season from BBB by visiting https://www.bbb.org/ all/holiday. Lawn and Yard Care SNOW PLOWING *REASONABLE RATES * PROMPT SERVICE * PARKING LOTS USA 781-521-9927 1. On Dec. 22, 1989, the Brandenburg Gate was opened in what city? 2. What is the translation of “O Tannenbaum”? 3. What city was Al Capone from: Chicago, NYC or St. Louis? 4. On Dec. 23, 1947, Bill Rodgers was born; he won how many Boston Marathons? 5. The fi rst artifi cial Christmas trees used feathers dyed green from what bird that is a traditional Christmas dinner in much of Europe? 6. On Dec. 24, 1912, Hartford, New York City and what other city lit the fi rst city public Christmas trees? 7. The Feast of the Seven Fishes originated in what country? 8. What is another word for reindeer? 9. Reportedly, in what century did gingerbread originate: 9th, 12th or 16th? 10. What does noggin mean (besides a person’s head)? 11. According to Guinness World Records, 219 dogs were invited to attend a screening of what 2023 fi lm? 12. On Dec. 25, 1821, Clara Barton was born in Oxford, Mass.; she later founded what American humanitarian organization? 13. In the movie “Frozen,” who says, “Some things are worth melting for”? 14. On Dec. 26, 1966, what holiday began in the USA? 15. In what Christmas song would you fi nd “a jolly happy soul”? 16. What Canadian musician became known as “Mr. New Year’s Eve”? 17. On Dec. 27, 1932, what venue opened in NYC’s Rockefeller Center? 18. How are Eagle, Tenderfoot and Star similar? 19. What is it called when a legal dispute is resolved before trial? 20. On Dec. 28, 1973, who signed the Endangered Species Act into law? ANSWERS 1. Berlin (to signify the reunion of West and East Germany) 2. “O Christmas Tree” 3. NYC (Brooklyn) 4. Four 5. Goose 6. Boston 7. Reportedly in the USA (among Italian-Americans) 8. Caribou 9. 16th 10. A small mug or small drink (in olden times, often eggnog or strong ale) 11. “PAW Patrol: The Mighty Movie” (Record title: most dogs attending a film screening.) 12. American Red Cross 13. Olaf 14. Kwanzaa 15. “Frosty the Snowman” 16. Guy Lombardo (With his Royal Canadians he played “Auld Lang Syne” on New Year’s for about 50 years.) 17. Radio City Music Hall 18. They are Boy Scouts of America ranks. 19. Settlement 20. Richard Nixon Call Driveways from $35
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