what are your feelings on giving money for Christmas present?

[quinnox]

I just put some money in cards this year for my niece and nephew and sister, and wondered what other people think about giving cash for a present. I want to make sure they get something they want, and that is part of the reason, because if I buy something for them and they don't like it, I would feel bad. At the same time, it does feel a little crude just to give cold hard cash. Your opinion?

[tabatha]

1. I think it is appreciated just as much as a gift.

Sometimes even more so.

Also, if a person receives money from more than one person, it can be combined to get what they really want/need.

[Warpy]

2. If you can be sure the parents won't snag it, it's an OK idea

because even if the kids blow it on nothing, they'll be learning what things are good buys and what things are not.

My parents snagged it and put it into a savings account. All that taught me was that a dollar saved would only be worth a dime when I was old enough to get my hands on it.

[hlthe2b]

3. My late grandmother always used to do this--later in life

It was a small amount, but very precious to us... That was way before gift cards--which I think is a nice alternative... If you don't have anything against Amazon.com or apple Itunes, or whatever it might be, I see no problem with that.

I think either one with a nice personal hand written note is very nice.

[searchingforlight]

4. It is a good gift

My grandkids are always saving for something. They may not oooh or aaahh but they do like the feel of it in their pocket and I like the fact it is always appreciated.

[DesertFlower]

5. i send cards and checks to

my 2 great granddaughters. they live in florida and i'm in phoenix. aside from them, i don't send any cards. we are atheists and don't celebrate xmas.

when my nieces were young they got money too.

[arcane1]

6. My mom sends me $300 and a case of Brunswick Stew every year

I love it!

[CTyankee]

7. I give cash to a nice lady and her daughter who help me with housework once a month.

As I age, some heavy stuff gets harder for me to do. She and her daughter come once a month to help out. I give her a cash gift at the end of the year, with a card that I sign, telling her how much I appreciate her help. She works so hard. I know cash xmas gifts mean a lot to her. She needs every dime. I'm happy to do this...I wish I could give her more...

[Curmudgeoness]

8. You can't go wrong with cash.

It always fits, and it is always in style. And really, who wants to waste money on something that will not be used?

I always do it with people who I cannot determine what they would like---for me, that is any teenager and especially boys (since I know nothing about what boys are up to).

They will love it.

[barbtries]

9. my mother used to think it reflected an unwillingness

to find something special. but for people in need there can be no better gift.

[gateley]

23. Even people not in need. There's a purse sitting in my room my sister in law gave me

3 years ago. I know she put thought into it but I just didn't like it. I didn't want to tell her that, and I couldn't return it, so there it sits, not getting used, taking up room, and she wonders why I don't carry it. I'm afraid to donate it in case she decides she'd actually like it some day.

Money would have been a better gift. And it's something EVERYONE can and will use.

[csziggy]

10. No problem - especially for teenagers

Cause you will never guess what they really want.

I've given gifts certificates and money for people who I simply don't have a clue what to get for them. Or some years, I just am not in the mood or can't physically get out to shop.

[RKP5637]

11. Sounds OK to me. It's difficult IMO to find/buy the right gift for people, trying to

read their minds. The cash lets them get something they want, use it as they wish.

[msongs]

12. give bibles instead lol nt

[shraby]

13. I do it every year. That way they get a gift and can go spend it on what they want

instead of having to make a trip to the store to take back what they weren't happy with to get what they want..saves any guilt feelings on their part which are generated when they say thanks and then return it.
No one returns money gifts, and I'm sure they have what they want.

[Motown_Johnny]

14. It is all my nephews want so that is what they get

I don't see any reason to fight it.

[pitohui]

15. i think it's a great gift

year after year the one gift that is always in style and that always makes me happy when i get it...it's cash

not gift cards, not some gadget i have to figure out that the other person thinks is going to improve me, not some item of clothing i'll never wear, not a book i would never have chosen to read...CASH...this is the one gift that allows me to actually have the freedom to do something i would truly like

it's a great gift and i always truly appreciate it MUCH more than a gift card that forces me to shop in a particular place or a "gift" that i will have to return to the store and that these days i will only get back a fraction of what you paid for the gift because stores no longer return what you spent

if you want the person to LIKE the gift the long green rectangular gift is always welcome!

[gateley]

25. There are VISA and AmEx cards that can be used everywhere -- essentially a debit card --

if people are uncomfortable with the idea of cash (which I'm not!).

[lunasun]

41. I use these cards just in case the teens have some "vices" I may not approve of that cash could be

used for but also because the parents like someone said cant 'snag' it for a savings acct and then the kid doesnt really get a gift they can relate to and very few kids go bonkers over a deposit slip for money they cant use in the near future and also my intention was for it to be used on a present day gift

[tabbycat31]

60. I would not recommend those

On top of all the outrageous fees they charge (at least $1.50 per card plus monthly fees), many retailers POS systems are not set up to take those if the transaction is higher than the card amount (for example if they spend $30 and the card is $25 then the system will reject the entire transaction).

I used to work in a cash office for a big box store and still have nightmares just thinking about those cards and the problems they caused the store.

[gateley]

63. That's good to know. I only get them for birthdays and Christmas, because, if getting

a store gift card isn't lazy enough, with a VISA/etc card I don't even have to think about WHICH store to get a gift card from! That's the spirit, gateley!

But thanks -- next year, birthday -- I'll remember that and get a store card.

My sister-in-law's brother insists on sending her son a Target gift card every year as he's convinced there's something for everyone at Target. Sean probably hasn't been in a Target since his mom dragged him around shopping with her since he was a kid, so she gives him cash for the card every year. Works out great for both of them. I thought that was a perfect solution!

[Little Star]

16. Once kids get to be tweens, teens or if any live far away..

I think cash is the best gift. My 18 year old grandson is always very happy to open his envelope.

[aka-chmeee]

17. Even though for the last 6 weeks, a good deal of the time I have been in Santa "Uniform" ,,

I myself have NO imagination in selecting gifts, have never had any complaints regarding my little envelopes with money in them.

[doc03]

18. I would rather receive money myself than some stupid gift I don't want. I have

been giving my brother and nieces either gift certificates or money for years

[freshwest]

19. Many people I know want it. It allows choice, and is less about oneself than the recipient.

When I was younger I thought it would be considered impersonal or unimaginative, but everyone has different tastes and needs. I've noticed that children like it because it makes them feel like adults with their own spending money. It's better than a savings bond and easier to redeem than a gift card. Have a great holiday.

[steve2470]

20. I think it's fine for teens and adults

Once I reached my teens, it became very hard for my mother (since Dad had no trouble shopping lol) to find something appropriate for me. I would tell her "just give me cash or a gift certificate" to be nice to her but alas, she continued to refuse my request and just frustrate herself endlessly.

[Skittles]

24. SCHEDULING STEVE2470 FOR ASS KICKING

stop frustrating your mum already! It's obvious she doesn't care for giving cash gifts - so tell her SOMETHING - a book, a CD, whatever!!!

[steve2470]

28. actually I would, but she didn't like those gifts

She INSISTED on giving me clothes. I did my best to cooperate with that. She's passed on now.

[Skittles]

42. awwww

she was a good mum......I lost mine earlier this year; so strange not getting a Christmas card from her / not sending her one.

[steve2470]

59. I'm sorry to hear of your loss

[Uben]

21. That's all I'm giving this year

Life has been really tough the last couple of weeks and there was just no time for shopping. I think the kids had rather have the money, but we usually try to get them some things to unwrap. They are really not kids anymore, 19 & 29 and the oldest is married.

[Skittles]

22. there's nothing wrong with it

seriously - and cash is king these days

[cali]

26. it's kind of you, not crude. I'm sure your niece, nephew and sister will be very appreciative.

[ZombieHorde]

27. I know I like recieving money,

and I am probably not the only one who likes receiving money, so it is probably fine gift.

The major exception is one's romantic partner.

[Politicalboi]

29. Money is always good

This little girl would probably like some.

Pink Stuff: Little Girl In Toy Store Rails Against Gender Stereotypes

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/12/24/pink-stuff-little-girl_n_1169044.html

[Justice wanted]

30. Be Honest I think it is a much better gift. Much more useage. I know when my nieces and nephews

are older I'll probably be handing them more money than physical items

[MADem]

31. I give that gift most frequently, and have for many years now.

I am quite popular as a consequence.

Look, who knows what kids like, save cash? I remembered how I felt as a kid--I would have given my eyeteeth for a little "folding money" instead of that sweater or that other dumb item I didn't want or need. But you had to be polite and say thank you when the money in a card would have been so much more preferred.

Believe me--you'll be highly regarded if you give the one gift that is never returned!

[Muskypundit]

32. I send people mix tapes.

Everyone loves them. So I am told.

[jberryhill]

33. Include some comfortable underwear

[frazzled]

34. My kids loved it even when they were young

They would get checks from grandma and grandpa, and sometimes aunts and uncles. Although they used it very differently. My daughter would want to go out and blow it all on little junky stuff here and there within days. My son (younger) would save it up all year (birthdays, Chanukah) until he had enough to buy something he really wanted. He bought a telescope for $200 once, after saving for a long time.

You can bet that as adults they are pretty much still the same way with money! Which may prove that financial habits are inbred, not learned.

I'm not sure I'd give money as a present to my sister, though (she doesn't need money, so maybe that's why I can't picture it; but I would certainly do so if she could use the cash). We try to give each other things we think the other will like, never too extravagant (this is for birthdays only).

But we don't celebrate Christmas, so perhaps I'm out of line here. For Chanukah we don't exchange any gifts with adults in the family. Never did: it was always just for the kids. Just good food for the adults, if we're ever in one place (which is rare).

[Lugnut]

35. Cash is a great gift.

I usually send cash to my niece and nephews' kids. The 18 and 15 year old girls love cash. The three little boys who are 4 months, 3 years and 6 years old always need something. I don't know what they have, need or want so cash is the best way to go.

[HopeHoops]

36. Our daughters are 16, 18, and 20. They have their own styles.

Granted, they are conservative styles (as in no butt crack), but they do pick out a rather unique combination of clothing and mostly from the second-hand stores. We buy them stuff, but money works. It's easier to let them pick out what they want (and what fits them), especially my middle one - she has the classic hour-glass shape.

[JI7]

46. i wouldn't consider "no butt crack" to be conservative, but decent/normal

[HopeHoops]

57. Agreed. Mine wouldn't even consider it. (read on)

I thought the exposed thong thing was a pretty recent trend, but there's video of Genesis in a live studio rehearsal and Gabriel is a skinny little thing with long black hair and a thong riding way up over his pants line (bell bottoms). Collins even had hair back then!

[newfie11]

37. We do that for our teenage Grandchildren

That way they can buy something they want.

[REACTIVATED IN CT]

38. I think it is fine, especially for teens and tweens.

I'm the auntie who always gives PJ's and/or books as a gift, but I usually include a gift card or cash with them.

[Historic NY]

39. Cash is just as good as money.....

a yogiisms.

I do gift cards too.

[Edweird]

40. For someone that could be considered a 'dependent', sure.

But for peers I don't see that as being appropriate.

[jwirr]

43. I usually give money to my daughters for the children. They add it to their cost of the gifts. One

young ggrandson prefers money. He wants to buy is own games, etc. Don't really know why - Mom grounds him from the XBox every time he does anything wrong.

[NMDemDist2]

44. to quote a dear friend

"cash is always appropriate"

[JI7]

45. i think it's better than getting some random thing they probably wont use , but if you have time to

find something nice you think they would like regardless of cost that would be preferable.

but it depends on the person/family also. a family that is struggling financially could really use the money .

[DesertRat]

47. In my experience money is always appreciated

[Goblinmonger]

48. My daughter is in college

We primarily gave her cash. She was happy.

[a la izquierda]

49. My mom, mother in law, and uncle

all give us cash. They know we use it for things we need.

[nadinbrzezinski]

50. My MIL and my SIL got cards with amazon cards

mind you they live in Hawaii, and Amazon might come handy.

And my mom has given us money for decades now.

[guitar man]

51. I'm fine with it

PM me for my mailing address

[Faux pas]

52. Money is the perfect gift. It's the right size, right color and goes with everything.

[proud patriot]

61. thumbsup

[AtomicKitten]

53. On the receiving end, I'm all for it.

[Tippy]

54. I wish I had enough to be able to share....

[Vanje]

55. Many in my family are struggling financially

Getting the rent paid, or the power switched back on is the best gift in times like these.

[JoePhilly]

56. Some fun ways to give "cash" ...

My son is 18, and a freshman at college ... and while we did get him some small things that were not cash (dorm room junk), we wrapped a toilet paper roll like a present, and inside it, we rolled a fake $200 bill that I made with photoshop, and we put a stone in it so that it made noise when you moved it around ... the actual $200 had been electronically deposited to his checking account.

My daughters got itunes cards, as did one of the nephews.

We have another nephew who is saving for a car ... and so we put some cash in a little box with a match-box car.

Years ago ... my grandmother gave me a hand made card and the front said ... "This is exactly what you wanted" ... and then inside was a 20 dollar bill ... and the inside said ... "As long as the exact thing you wanted costs no more than $20!!"

We had the in-laws come for dinner earlier tonight and we were discussing Christmas stories ... and my brother-in-laws' wife explained how here mother gave her oldest grandson cash ... but she did not just give him the money ... she had a bunch of very small Christmas stockings. And she put 1 bill in each. Crumpled in a ball. And then she put the little stockings in one bigger stocking. And so he'd reach into the big stocking, and pull out a little stocking ... and then reach into that and pull out a a "crumpled bill" ... while he had to uncrumple to see what it was ... so it became like a game show ... most of them were $1s ... which received a booo!!! ... and then a $5 shows up ... the largest was a $20, placed near the bottom. She said he got $40 ... but it took him like 10 minutes to go through it all, and everyone loved the suspense!!

[Mark Baker]

58. This video does not reflect my own views...

[MrSlayer]

62. I think it's great.

Money is always a good gift.