A tip jar at my favorite coffee place's drive-up has reappeared for the holiday season.

A co-worker and I are confused by this. Why would there be a tip jar at a drive-up?

I can understand tipping a waiter or waitress because they are paid lower wages in lieu of tips. But I do not understand tipping employees who man drive-up. So what do you think? Should we have to tip drive-up employees? Maybe I'm missing something. Let me know. Send comments to ccain@scn1.com Include your name, and I will use the comments in a future column.

Tipping tips: While tipping the drive-through server seems a bit extreme, there is a need during the holiday season to tip the people who provide good service throughout the year. Here's some holiday tipping advice from Andrew Housser, co-CEO of bills.com:

• Hair stylist: The cost of one hair styling session.

• Baby sitter/nanny: One evening's or one day's pay for the baby sitter, plus a small gift from your child. For a nanny, one week's to one month's pay, depending how long she has cared for your children.

• Newspaper carrier: $10 or more, depending on the level of service.

• Teacher: A gift certificate for a family activity or a local bookstore often is appreciated, plus a small gift from your child.

• Lawn Service: $20 to $30 per worker.

• Trash and recycling collectors: If your crew is permitted to accept gratuities, $10 to $30 per person is a great way to say thank you.

• Housecleaner: One day's pay, or a larger tip if he or she has worked for you for several years.

Holiday dough: I always feel like I'm spending billions of dollars I don't have around the holidays. I'm not, but the country certainly is spending big bucks. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, we spent $31.4 billion at department stores last year and $21 billion at electronic shopping and mail order shopping sites. These totals were for the month of December alone!

There are more and more malls in the United States just waiting for your money. Census stats say there were 48,695 malls and shopping centers dotting the U.S. landscape as of 2005, a total that increased by approximately 12,000 since 1990.

Statewide smoking ban: Two people contacted me with questions after my story on the statewide smoking ban, which takes effect Jan. 1.

Jim Janetos wanted to know how to report a violation of the smoking ban. Cindy Jackson, manager of the Will County Health Department's Tobacco Control and Prevention, said there are two ways to report a violation of the ban: Call (866) 973-4646, or go to www.smoke-free.illinois.gov.

Betty Sellers wanted to know if a bunch of residents of a condo building could congregate outside by an entrance to smoke. They can, Jackson said.

"They still can smoke there," she said. "This law only restricts smoking in public and private workplaces."

If you have a business tip, question or concern, call (815) 729-6044 or e-mail ccain@scn1.com