The tradition of the ‘Christmas box’ is now practiced by less than half of people in the UK, new research has revealed.

The ‘Christmas box’ is a present given to tradespeople and employees during the festive season. And of all the trades who receive a cash gift from grateful customers, hairdressers are rewarded the most often at this time of year.

A study by budgeting account provider thinkmoney (http://www.thinkmoney.co.uk) found that just over a fifth of people tip their hairdresser (23%) at Christmas (that’s equivalent to over 11 million happy clients).

Postmen are the next most likely trade to receive a festive tip (22%), followed by bin men (15%) and window cleaners (12%).

Milkmen are at the bottom of the list (11%), although this may suggest that fewer residents have milk delivered to their door.

Older people are more inclined to give their hairdresser extra cash in December, according to thinkmoney. More than 30% of over-55s said they tipped the person who does their hair, compared to just 17% of those aged between 18 and 24.

Across the country, people living in the West Midlands are most likely to dip their hand in their pocket for the postman at Christmas, while London residents are more likely to tip their bin men during the festive period than people elsewhere in the country.

Meanwhile, the amount that people decide to tip tradespeople also varies. thinkmoney discovered that, of the people who do opt for the ‘Christmas box’, the majority (65.6%) give up to £10.

Only 6.4% give more than a tenner, and just over a quarter (28%) prefer to give something other than cash, like food or drink.

When it comes to tips of over £10, people living in London are the most likely to dig deep (16.9% compared to 1.3% of East Anglican residents).

Just over half of people asked said they didn’t tip anyone at Christmas time.

Ian Williams, director of communications at budgeting account provider thinkmoney, said: “The Christmas box is a lovely tradition and a great way to show your appreciation to hard working tradespeople. But with household budgets under increasing pressure it is perhaps no surprise that less than half of those we questioned leave a tip nowadays.”