A standard Christmas bonus for a house cleaner is equivalent to the cost of one regular cleaning session, or roughly $ 𝟓𝟎 to $ 𝟐𝟎𝟎. For weekly cleaners, a higher end-of-year tip or bonus is common, while $ 25 to $ 50 is appropriate if you only use them once a month.
Cash. A monetary gift is often appropriate, and highly appreciated. Many of our longtime customers give an extra tip for the holidays -- often 50-100% of the cost of a normal appointment. This is for their cleaning teams that have been with them throughout the year, and it makes the teams feel appreciated.
At Christmas, the standard holiday tip for a house cleaner is the cost of one regular cleaning session. If you normally pay $150 per visit, a $150 holiday bonus is customary. For occasional or monthly cleaners, half of one visit’s fee is an appropriate thank you.
Holiday bonus FAQs
It depends. For some employees, $100 might feel like a welcome gift, but in higher-paying industries, that amount may not boost morale much.
By giving employees a flat dollar amount, in most cases ranging from $50-$5,000 with the median being $300, this type of bonus is typically received with the least amount of drawback. Since the bonus amount doesn't vary from employee to employee, it's an opportunity to appreciate your people equally.
The average Christmas or holiday bonus typically ranges from $100 to $2,000, with a national median of around $300. For many professionals, the amount is calculated as a flat rate or 2% to 5% of their annual salary. However, amounts vary significantly based on your industry, seniority, and company performance.
Full-time domestic help (caregiver, personal chef, or full-time personal staff): Aim for between a week and a month's pay, plus a gift. Housekeeper: If they come once a week, the equivalent of a day's pay. If they come daily, the equivalent of a week's pay, and possibly a gift, too.
If you hire an individual, it is customary to tip 10 to 20% of the cleaning price, assuming you are pleased with the quality of work. Whether you partner with a sole provider or a national residential cleaning service, if the same person or team cleans your home often, you could consider a bonus or gift as a thank you.
The 80/20 rule (the Pareto Principle) in cleaning dictates that 20% of your cleaning efforts yield 80% of the visible results. By targeting high-impact tasks first—such as clearing flat surfaces, wiping high-traffic areas, and making beds—you create an instantly cleaner environment without obsessing over perfection.
From this perspective, $50/hour is generally considered above average but not unreasonable for professional services. It reflects a market service rate rather than a worker's wage, making it fair in many areas, especially when hiring insured companies or premium cleaning providers.
Assuming that your cleaner is employed by you, or is self-employed and is still working when you are on holiday then they should still be paid. However, there are a few other things to consider – whether you pay your cleaner when on holiday also depends on the terms outlined in your employment agreement or contract.
They usually range from 5-10% of your year's earnings. For example, if your salary is $50,000 a year, your holiday bonus can vary from $2,500 to $5,000. You can usually determine your bonus percentage by checking your employment contract or asking a supervisor.
Give a gift card
Shopping vouchers or gift cards are the ideal Christmas gift for your cleaner. They are easy to carry home, and easy for you to buy and wrap. But most important of all, you're giving your cleaner the opportunity to buy something they really want.
The 20-minute rule in cleaning (often combined with the 10-minute break as the 20/10 Rule) is a productivity method where you set a timer and clean as quickly and intensely as possible for 20 minutes. When the timer goes off, you immediately stop cleaning and take a mandatory 10-minute break.
Based on what etiquette books used to say, it depends on if the person performing the service is an employee or if they own the company. If they're just an employee, a tip is appreciated. If they own the business, it's not necessary.
Deep cleanings (officially called Scaling and Root Planing) are more expensive than routine cleanings because they are a complex medical treatment for gum disease rather than preventative maintenance. They cost between $600 and $1,600+ for a full mouth (or roughly $150 to $350 per quadrant).
At Christmas, the standard holiday tip for a house cleaner is the cost of one regular cleaning session. If you normally pay $150 per visit, a $150 holiday bonus is customary. For occasional or monthly cleaners, half of one visit’s fee is an appropriate thank you.
Christmas tip for the housekeeper
I tip my house cleaner 1 week pay plus small gifts and gift certificates for the GAP for her kids. The standard for tipping is one month's salary.
At Christmas, the standard etiquette is to give your hairdresser a holiday tip equivalent to the cost of one regular visit or double your usual tip amount. If you are on a tight budget, an extra $𝟐𝟎 to $𝟓𝟎 in cash or a gift card is also highly appreciated.
The average payout for bonus recipients is $1,900. So, on average those receiving a holiday bonus can expect to receive around 5% of their salary in pay. Usually, employers who offer holiday bonuses give between $100 to $5,000, but considering a bonus is still a gift there is no standard amount that is awarded.
The videos claim the increase is a “sincere thank you” for people's “hard work and contribution”. But there is no increase this year. The Christmas Bonus for 2025 remains £10, although the DWP is offering larger amounts of money as part of other schemes to some people who get certain benefits.