Christmas… gifts or extra money for the dog walker and groomer?

[LesMum6839]

So my dog has a regular walker and groomer. They are absolutely fantastic with him so I would like to do a small something for them for Christmas but I’m not sure what would be best…

A nice bottle of something and some nice chocolates or a bit of extra cash when I next pay them? (Which will be right before Christmas)

For anyone who chooses cash, how much extra would be suitable? I usually pay the dog walker around £75 per month and the groomer around £50 per time.

Voucher for a local independent coffee shop or similar?

I don’t know if that’s their sort of thing…

but do you know they def eat chocolates and drink wine or etc?
I think if you’re thinking £5-10 then a gift/voucher and if more cash? Feels a bit odd / charity case-y to just give someone a fiver

Since your relationship involves exchange of money normally (rather than a friend that it might be unusual to just give cash) I'd stick with bit extra as a Christmas tip rather than guessing at something that could well be unwanted especially with cost of living. Environmentally I think small gifts often end up just being more 'stuff' we don't need.

That’s what I was thinking… I don’t know how much would be appropriate though?

Do you know anything about their interests or circumstances?

I ask our nanny every year what she would like… some years she asks for local garden centre vouchers, some years Amazon…

Generally gifted with something small and more personal to unwrap from our children.

@IntheJingelyJangelyJungle unfortunately not and they are more involved with the dog than on a personal level with me so I would feel weird asking…

I’d give £20-40 in a card. I give my cleaner one week’s money in a card at Christmas.

@AnathemaPulsifer I did have around the £20 mark in my head too because that’s roughly 1 week of payment for the dog walker and nearly half of the cost of one of the dogs grooms

I would go with £20 each in a card with your best wishes.

Cash is fine. If you are looking for something sentimental maybe a personalised christmas baulball or simular from the dog and/or some cash from you.

I'd give them £25 each in with their normal pay (£100 for the dog walker, £75 for the groomer) and a card.

Bit different, but I'm a housekeeper and got £30 extra for Christmas.

I get a weeks "wages" in cash from my favourite client every Christmas...

I'd give them £25 each in with their normal pay (£100 for the dog walker, £75 for the groomer) and a card.
That's exactly what I'd do.

I can definitely do the £25 each so I think I’ll do that instead, thank you everyone! 🤗

I'd go £25 extra each too. Let them choose themself a gift.

You're lovely op what a nice thing to do

I’m a dog groomer and we love small gifts! Would absolutely not expect cash or anything extravagant - wouldn’t expect anything at all of course! But chocolate is very gratefully received. We also seem to get lots of homemade baking which is lovely and thoughtful. The odd bottle of wine as well, which we drink at our Christmas do!

I also have a few clients who turn up with a coffee when they drop their dog off… also very appreciated!

A cash tip wouldn't be wrong, I know plenty of dog walkers and groomers who would appreciate it.

Equally vouchers for somewhere with a wide choice of stuff would also be pretty good - if you want to get dog specific:

Mutneys grooming supplies
JR Pet products
Tug-E-Nuff

All top quality stuff dog professionals like, all do gift cards in varying amounts

Or vouchers for outdoor wear places or places that do skin/hand cream type stuff.

I used to be a dog walker. No thanks to this. I don't drink tea or coffee and convenience is key tbh, not having to go somewhere specific:

Either of your ideas is great though OP, I used to love the treats I got at Christmas from my Dogs (and their owners 😊)