This is a nice, but confusing gesture. Is she looking for a Christmas gift from me?
Yes. She's angling for a gift.
---------------------
I've taken to tipping like piece work rather than one bulk payment for most people. Due to routes and such, we might not see the same mail man, etc..... all that often, so it's just easier to throw him $5-10 during the times he does something nice.
Barber, Waiter, Misc service staff? 15-20% depending on how nice they are.
The guys I know that tip trashmen, tip from a range of $25 - 100, the guys on the top end of that range usually expect and get better service, and perks like not being hassled for bulky trash, etc.....