Holiday Tipping/Gifts for professionals

I'm hoping that professionals will read this and shower me with advice. What's an appropriate holiday gift/tip for all the professionals who make our lives easier? Massage therapists, hair stylists, gardeners, housekeepers, etc.? Money's a bit tight and their fees are steep, but I don't want them to go unacknowledged. Thanks! Grateful

My personal feelings are that there is really nothing that i NEED and since I don't eat sugar or gluten, those kind of gifts are a waste on me (I pass them on).

I don't EXPECT holiday gifts and I know it's hard for most of us to have to spend money on this person and that person....for me a card with a kind note is the nicest gift. If you MUST give a gift, how about a $10.00 gift card to a coffee shop, or Trader Joes or something like that. That's thoughtful, not extravagent and something most people can use. If you know something about what the person likes...food is always a great gift..wine, etc.

I do not tip my hair guy(we're friends), but I might bring him something baked, since I know he does like stuff like that. I also leave a card and bottle of wine for our trash collectors, cookies and card for our mail carrier. That's about it I think. I'd say if it feels like a burdon, don't do it. anon

Tipping the Caterers

My mom just called me with a question regarding my sister's wedding reception and I told her I knew exactly where to go for answers!! She wants to know what is appropriate for tipping the caterers for the wedding reception (cooks, servers, guy in charge= 22 people all together). On the contract, there is a 10% service charge, but she was told that is not the tip, if she chooses to give a tip it would be on top of that charge. So, does she give a full 15-20% tip, or deduct that 10% and give a 5-10% tip? Also, should she give cash that evening (which could be a large amount of cash) or put in on the credit card with the bill before hand? And one more thing, should she split up the tip among the 22 people (which sounds like a pain to me) or should she give the full amount to the person in charge and let him split it up? Thank you...my mom, sister , and I appreciate your help! Mary Jo