Pet care provider

Consumer Reports survey results on what people gave in 2011:

Cash, check, or gift card: 29 percent

Gift: 5 percent

Nothing: 66 percent

Total median value: $20

What Emily Post suggests: For a pet groomer, give cash or a gift if the same person grooms your pet all year. If you opt for cash, give up to the cost of one session. For a dog walker, give cash or a gift. If you opt for cash, give up to one week’s pay.