Is it lack of consideration if you just give money for christmas?
August 5th, 2010
I am mature (over-ripe) and just give the grand-kids and great grand-kids money for Christmas. Is that a dereliction of care or a simple non-understanding of don’t understand what they consider thoughtfulness?
not at all–it gives the receiver many dreams of what to buy instead of the only one they would have gotten
giving them money is a good idea!
i am a kid so i would know!
like they can buy what ever they want!
my grandma gave me money last year and she said she was going to get me a barbie
i spent the money on a skate board
I am sure your grandkids love getting money.
But generally I enjoy getting thoughtful gifts. So here is what I say…
If you are not around the grandkids a lot then in would be understandable and very appropriet to give them the gift of money.
But if you are around them fairly often I would try and make the gift more personal.
Also depending on the age of the person (college age kids like/need money!)
Personally I don’t like getting presents from my grandmother because I know she can’t afford much, and I feel guilty.
No, I actually prefer money. It will give them the chance to pick out something they like and the fact that you’re giving them a gift at all is thoughtful in itself.
i agree with tatum- if you spend a lot of time with your grandchildrendren and they are younger, a handpicked present would seem more thoughtful. However, if you don’t spend much time with them and/or they are older, money would be appreciated.
how is this question under the gay category?
it may be better than getting them something they dont like
I think some people feel that way. But I don’t think so. I would prefer cash so I can get what I want. It’s much better that an ugly sweater or something you will never use.
Giving someone any kind of gift is thoughtful. Whether it’s cash or a gift-certificate, it’s still a gift. And people should be more appreciative these days.
I always thought it was a cop-out to give money, like you couldn’t take the time to find something nice. But the way my life is right now, I would appreciate money over a stupid gift. I guess you can always ask the parents to see if your grandkids could use the money instead of a gift.
It’s one of those things–people always doubt giving money and actually feel guilty for doing so, while the receiver is ALWAYS happy to receive money.
Of course, as with most things in life, there are the exceptions. Giving money to your spouse as a 25th anniversary gift might not come across well (though in this materialistic age, for some, it would depend on the person and the amount of money).
I have NEVER heard any grandchild complain about receiving money form a granparent as a gift. I’ve NEVER complained, and it never made me think any less of them.
Kathleen, I think that’s a great question. Often we feel guilty because we can’t pick “just the right gift” for the grandkids. We have no reason to feel that we are letting them down. They are thrilled with money! If you want to limit it a bit, you can always get a GC to their favorite store, but they are much more happy with cash. I usually enclose a card that tells the child why I am proud they are my family. Like good grades, a great dance recital, help given when their mom was sick…Or just to say I’m SO LUCKY to know you. I also ask them to tell me what they are going to buy with the money. Or if they’re saving for something special.
You may be over-ripe, but I bet your grands and great-grands think you are just peachy!
i think giving $$ is good. seems like every time i give a gift to a younger person, they are obviously not real thrilled and end up taking it back, get a refund and go buy something they wanted. my daughter (15) is especially good at that so it’s $$ only now. giving $$ is somewhat impersonal but is quite practical.