Need Some Help This Busy Holiday Season? Seasonal Help and Advice Now Available at Laborfair.com

SAN FRANCISCO, CA--(Marketwire - November 27, 2007) - Families and homeowners can find last minute help and advice this holiday season at Laborfair (www.laborfair.com), the local online labor marketplace that is the smart, easy and right way to find personal help. At Laborfair, individuals can find assistance with everything from constructing outdoor holiday decorations to catering a holiday party for hundreds of guests.

In order to better inform those hiring independent service providers for the holidays or for those with regular personal help such as a nanny or housekeeper, the company has also conducted an informal survey of participating consumers and providers about holiday tipping habits. Poll participants unanimously agreed upon the three most popular methods for tipping during the holidays: cash, gift certificates or a small gift.

"The holidays are an extremely stressful time, one that puts even more demand on already hectic schedules, and our goal is simply to help make life more manageable," said Laborfair founder Jenna Raby. "By polling our consumers and service providers about holiday tipping, we wanted to give people a quick benchmark that would make them feel less anxious and more confident about what is an appropriate gift."

In addition to the three tipping recommendations returned by the Laborfair holiday tipping poll, users also provided some guidance about the best way to share each of these holiday gifts.

1). Cash: A gift of cash is always desirable and always welcome. As part of the Laborfair survey, full-time childcare providers and housekeepers overwhelmingly indicated a preference for cash. Housekeepers recommended a range of tipping between $30-50 (depending on frequency of cleaning) while childcare providers suggested a tip ranging from one week's pay to a one-time gift of $200. Keep in mind that these individuals are charged with safeguarding and instructing your most valued possessions -- your children -- so compensate them likewise. It's always nice to personalize a gift of money by adding the envelope to a gift bag that includes a scented candle, homemade cookies or holiday candy.

2). Gift Certificates: These are always welcome by providers, but they are much harder to personalize and it can be difficult to know which stores your nanny or housekeeper might patronize. Laborfair asked polling respondents to share some of their favorites of the most common stores in order to inspire your holiday gift giving. Amongst these users, Gap, Old Navy, and Macy's earned top billing. Additionally, if you know what your service provider likes to do for recreation or as a hobby, then gift certificates from smaller, more specialized stores might also make sense.

3). Gift: A purchased gift is a nice holiday gesture because it shows that you have a sense of a person's interests, style or hobbies. The point is to purchase a gift they might normally have found for themselves. Polled participants mentioned their favorite gift items as a manicure and pedicure at a local salon or a basket of seasonal food items.

"When it comes to holiday tipping, remember that it's about gratitude and appreciation, not demonstration," continued Raby. "Finding a meaningful way to express that appreciation is the most important part of gift giving."

For more information about Laborfair or to find local service providers, please visit www.Laborfair.com.

About Laborfair

Laborfair is the smart, easy and right way to find quality help ranging from a handyman to a personal chef. Laborfair was founded in 2006 with a mission to help independent service providers improve their career and life opportunities by connecting them with people in search of personal help. To achieve that mission, the company has created the premiere online labor marketplace for connecting people in search of personal help with those who can provide it in a way that's fair, easy and financially rewarding for everyone involved. For more information on the company or to find a service provider, please visit www.Laborfair.com.

Contact Information: Press Contact: Michael Azzano Cosmo PR for Laborfair (415) 596-1978