Lean budgets may collide with a holiday tradition in the coming weeks as many of us are confronted with a seasonal question: How much should we tip the people who help us all year?

The issue, according to the Associated Press, is going to be more complicated this year, thanks to the economy.

Even if our wallets our lighter, many of us will still want to be generous with the service providers that we count on all year: Hairdressers, housekeepers, babysitters, pet sitters, etc.

Then there are the people who aren't traditionally tipped, but who might be remembered during the holidays for their extra effort during the year: Teachers, school bus drivers and mail carriers come to mind.

But how much should you tip?

And how many people turn into Scrooges and stiff these service providers?

Here are some average tips, according to a recent survey by Consumer Reports:

Cleaning person None: 29 percent Cash, check or gift card: 58 percent Gift: 17 percent Median Value: $50

Child's schoolteacher None: 44 percent Cash, check or gift card: 20 percent Gift: 38 percent Median Value: $20

Hairdresser None: 54 percent Cash, check or gift card: 36 percent Gift: 11 percent Median Value: $20

Manicurist None: 62 percent Cash, check or gift card: 33 percent Gift: 5 percent Median Value: $10

Newspaper carrier None: 69 percent Cash, check or gift card: 30 percent Gift: 2 percent Median Value: $15

Pet-care provider None: 69 percent Cash, check or gift card: 26 percent Gift: 8 percent Median Value: $25

Barber None: 71 percent Cash, check or gift card: 26 percent Gift: 3 percent Median Value: $10

Gardener/lawn-care None: 77 percent Cash, check or gift card: 18 percent Gift: 5 percent Median Value: $30

Mail carrier None: 81 percent Cash, check or gift card: 13 percent Gift: 7 percent Median Value: $20

Garbage/ collector None: 92 percent Cash, check or gift card: 6 percent Gift: 2 percent Median Value: $20