Everyone knows that the December holiday season is the time for showing love for friends and family by throwing parties and giving gifts. But what about all the people with whom we have more professional relationships or who make our lives easier through their effort and skill?

Holiday tips and gifts have become traditional and are an important way to show your appreciation for the people you rely on and interact with all through the year.

Pamela Fiori, editor in chief of Town & Country, offers her advice on tipping during the holidays:

• Two words. If Fiori had to boil her holiday tipping philosophy down to two words, they would be: “Be generous.”
• Personal associations. Fiori tips anyone with whom she has an important personal association. Her housekeeper of many years, her hairdresser, the staff at her favorite restaurant — all these people perform services that make her life better, so she likes to show her appreciation.
• Gift or tip? Sometimes she gives a little gift, sometimes a tip, sometimes both. The question of whether you should offer cash or a tip is a judgment call that only you can make, but if you don’t know enough about someone’s personality to choose an appropriate gift, cash is probably a better, and more appreciated, option.
• A note. It’s always a good idea to personalize the tip by including a little note thanking the person for their kindness or services over the year. A few bills without a card or note might be seen as a little impersonal.
• Tip early. Fiori also suggests tipping early in the holiday season so that people have the option of using the money to buy gifts for the people in their lives.