Holiday tipsWho, what, and how much.(CR Money)

Back in 1916 a curmudgeonly book titled "The Itching Palm" predicted that the practice of tipping would one day come to a well-deserved end. The author, one William R. Scott, might be surprised to know that nearly a century later the practice he denounced as "un-American" not only lives on but thrives, especially come holiday time. Indeed, Americans might enjoy giving holiday tips almost as much as getting them.

A good thing, too, because the list seems to grow by the year. Traditional recipients, such as hairdressers, newspaper carriers, and child-care providers, have been joined by an ever-expanding cadre, including fitness trainers, spa attendants, dog walkers, and elder-care workers. Last year, Americans tipped an estimated $26 billion, says Michael Lynn, an associate professor of consumer behavior at Cornell University's School of Hotel Administration.

The Consumer Reports National Research Center recently asked a representative U.S. sample of more than 1,800 people what they gave last holiday season (see the table at right). And good news for those on the receiving end: Compared with a similar survey we conducted last year, tips were up about $5 apiece in many instances.

REGIONAL DIFFERENCES

Where you live can affect how much you tip. Lynn says people in the Northeast are the biggest tippers; Southerners tip the least. But tips in the South are often accompanied by or even replaced by a homemade gift, says Colleen Rickenbacher, an etiquette expert in Dallas and author of "Be On Your Best Business Behavior" (Brown Books, 2004). That's why our table shows tipping ranges.

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Who gets tipped can also vary by region. "In New York, your child's school-bus driver expects it," Rickenbacher says, "whereas in Colorado, they might cry and say thank you. They don't expect it."