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The holidays are almost here and that means it’s time to deck the halls of your apartment building with good cheer and good tips. Yes, it's that time of year again when people ask who to tip and how much.

Jhoanna Robledo of New York Magazine says only give what you can afford. In these tough economic times, some people will give less than before but it’s still good to give something.

"It's really important to tip the people in your building because A, it's one way to say thank you very much we’ve had a good year. But it's also a good way to say I hope we are still going to have a good year next year," says Robledo.

Once you set your budget you need to divide it up and there are a few things to consider.

"How many people are in your apartment? You're going to have to allot more if there are more people that are being helped in the apartment," explains Robledo. "The second thing is who has been most helpful? Sometimes people tip based on seniority but really the best way is to figure out who do you interact with all the time and who’s been out there helping you on a daily basis?"

So it is okay to play favorites and give more to some than others. That said, everyone wants to hear numbers so they know if they’re in the right range.

"I saw with the super -- your main contact in the building -- go from $50 to $200. Doorman I say $30 to $125 if you can afford that. Porters and handymen, anywhere from $20 to $60," suggests Robledo.

If the staff is so large that the building has a fund, she suggests giving the recommended minimum to the fund and additional tips to those on your list who have been especially nice.

Also, if you tip all year round, you don’t have to give as much during the holidays. And if you just moved in or there is a new member on the staff, Robledo suggests giving a small tip.

If you really can’t afford to give cash, it's still nice to give a token gift, even if it means putting your baking skills to the test.

And no matter what you give, make sure to include a personal note. Letting that person know just how much you appreciate them is always an added bonus.