Don’t forget to give a holiday tip or gift to those service professionals whom you depend on regularly. I like to ensure the fact that my newspaper shows up on my stoop everyday, which I’ve found in the previous cities I’ve lived in might be too much to ask for.

Don’t know how much to give? Check out Real Simple’s Guide to Holiday Tipping for some ideas and spending limits. It’s worth noting that postal carriers, who are probably most deserving of a gift, can’t accept cash or gifts worth more than $20. The Modern Gal’s hairstylist, newspaperwoman and mailman all got Target gift cards. I’m tipping myself this afternoon with lunch at McAlister’s Deli for all the fine dogwalking work I’ve done this year.