AIBU to have "just" done vouchers for everyone for christmas?

[BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz]

Exchanged gifts with family yesterday as we all like to spend christmas day in our own homes. Dh and I have gifted everyone vouchers.

The kids in the family (all 10yo or older) have each been given enough on cinema vouchers to go once a month for the whole of next year, grown ups have vouchers/passes for things like HP World (the fans who've not been yet), theatre, a restaurant one said they wanted to try etc.

It appears one side of the family think this is "rubbish" as we've not given anything the kids can play with (over ten yo), or that adults can drink etc.

We have two dc of our own (both circa 10), and they gifted toys for our dc, and nick nack sort if things for dh and I (bubble bath, chocolate etc).

We appreciate they've gifted anything to us. I'd do away with gifts altogether and just have dinner and time together but hey ho.

Is this some sort of faux pas giving these vouchers?

Hmm I guess not really, but cinema vouchers and restaurant vouchers in the middle of a pandemic? We don’t even know if these will be open and running next year.

I would be shocked if anything closed fully for the whole year?

Cinema is a massive chain, with a branch close by and others near. HP World will still be there long after I'm gone, I'm certain of it.

The restaurant is an indie so poss a smidge of risk there.

Sounds fine to me. Better than someone I know who gave everybody charity donations in their name!

I’d have loved vouchers. There’s nothing I really need and I absolutely don’t need anything that will make me fat or clutter up my house. Is there anyone really crying out for any more chocolate or booze at Christmas?!

I think your gifting is better for that age group - I switched to buying my kid relatives vouchers or giving money from about 11 onwards as I didn't know what they already had, what they liked/wanted was invariably more expensive than my budget but this meant they could add to what I'd given to get what they wanted. And there's a limit to the amount of knick knack type presents anyone needs?!

I think vouchers are a bit of a con. They are probably only redeemed about 50% of the time so pretty often the company just gets free money. Better to just give cash.

@BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz

I would be shocked if anything closed fully for the whole year?

Cinema is a massive chain, with a branch close by and others near. HP World will still be there long after I'm gone, I'm certain of it.

The restaurant is an indie so poss a smidge of risk there.

But you don’t know. Nobody knows. Weren’t cinemas shut for about 15 months?

We would love vouchers here (and have bought vouchers for adult DSC). Mil & Fil have bought us a food hamper for the third year running, it’s lovely except we don’t eat or drink 90% of the stuff in it. It’s such a waste of money. Vouchers would have been so much more useful.

Yanbu but some people do get funny about this sort of thing not seeing it as a real present.
Sounds very sensible to me!

I think 10year plus, vouchers are fine! The kids I know are moaning because they would prefer less things to open and more gifts/ money.

Sorry, I should add vouchers aren’t a bad present at all. Just maybe not at this time (but I’m sure if a shut down happened they would honour them when re-opened)

Buy them all some cheap tat next year. Bottle of prosecco, some Cadbury's chocolate. I know which I'd prefer.

I would have been happy with that. It's ungracious of them to say they are not happy but I suppose at least you know not to do vouchers for them next yr.

I prefer money over vouchers, since you have more control over how/when it can be used, but it's all a matter of opinion. A gift is a gift. I'd think about suggesting putting a stop of exchanging Christmas gifts, if they're complaining. In my family, you say "thank you" and pretend to like things even if you don't. Anything else is rude, when someone's gone to the trouble and expense of giving you something.

I’ve love vouchers that covered a years entry to things for the children or even a decent day trip.

Just no pleasing some people. Next year just send selections boxes and a £10 note.

I dislike giving vouchers that will incur extra cost to the recipient.
Travel to the cinema, Snacks etc

I'm not keen on receiving vouchers but wouldn't let the giver know!

Weren’t cinemas shut for about 15 months?
No they weren't.

The only possible issue is can the parents afford to take the kids roughly once a month to the cinema. I'd resent the cost imposition really

@bananaboats

I'm not keen on receiving vouchers but wouldn't let the giver know!

Yeah I suppose lesson learnt from them this year

In fairness, the other side of the family were delighted. So hey ho.

@BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz

Weren’t cinemas shut for about 15 months? No they weren't.

There’s no need to be so snippy, was just a question. I thought they were shut for over a year.

I’m only giving gift cards and concert tickets this year. With the exception of two friends for whom ‘normal’ present have been bought, but I’m not seeing them in person until the summer.

The recipients will use the tickets/vouchers. I did not have to do endless browsing, online or in person, to decide what to buy. Quick easy decision. I’m tired of buying crap that people don’t need, want, or use. Or things that are useful, but no one really asked for.

I’m actually very excited to turn up to Christmas dinner tonight with a stack of envelopes. I also dislike carrying bags of the stuff to whoever’s house we go for dinner. Tonight it will be very easy.

@SleepingStandingUp

The only possible issue is can the parents afford to take the kids roughly once a month to the cinema. I'd resent the cost imposition really

The older ones dont need a parent to take them, and the 10yo has a lone parent who we also gave the same value in cinema vouchers to cover them taking them along (plus a smaller extra voucher to their usual nail salon so it wasnt all for their child).

But I'd love it for ME and have asked for theatre vouchers

Sorry if my response can across snippy, it wasnt intended. I'm not sure how else to say no they werent a different way.

Our local cinema (national chain) closed march20 to end of July20. Then it closed Jan21 for a month.