The slowing economy and the credit crunch are spurring many consumers to cut back this holiday season. Not only will they skimp on buying gifts, but there's a pretty good chance that another staple of holiday cheer -- tipping those people we rely on all year round like dog walkers, doormen and mail carriers -- will also take a hit.

"The economy is definitely going to impact holiday tipping," says Hilka Klinkenberg, founder and director of New York-based Etiquette International. "And the people who will suffer the most are the service providers."

Want to show your appreciation without breaking your budget? First, assess how much cash you can give and set that aside for the service providers who care for your family. Then, consider small gifts, like fruit baskets or even your famous homemade chocolate chip cookies, for everyone else. Include a handwritten note expressing your appreciation with every holiday tip or gift, says Lizzie Post, spokeswoman for the Burlington, Vt.-based Emily Post Institute. (Even if you can't afford to give anything, never skimp on the card, says Post.)