to not want to give cash for birthdays?

[Inertia]

Seems to be a growing trend in my family to ask for the cash for birthdays, which a) feels a bit mercenary somehow, and b) takes the fun out of buying and wrapping and giving a present. I'm happy to ask whether there's anything the recipient would like , rather than just choosing what I think they'd like, and will get a specific item if requested as long as it's within budget. As a family we do generally ask one another for present suggestions.

But with so many asking for money (or vvv strong suggestions to contribute cash towards big present from parents rather than buying a present), it just feels as though we're going to end up going down the road of everyone sticking a tenner in an envelope for everyone else, and then what's the point?

YANBU.

This is one of my pet hates. I think its just so cheeky that some people ask for cash for their birthday. The whole idea of a birthday is to open your presents and be grateful for what you've got.

It all depends on the age of the children, as my teens really do save towards something they want.

On the other hand my sister in law and I now swap a virtual i.e non exisitent tenner for our younger 2 children, as both of us are equally strapped for cash, and the children honestly don't notice the lack of a present.