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?

I think over 10 is a really hard age. They do, still, want something to play with- but there's nothing they actually want to play with, iyswim

Brilliant description!

OP, you've been really generous and have clearly put some thought into what vouchers each person would enjoy. It's very rude and ungrateful of them to complain. Personally, I love getting vouchers! Much better than being overrun with the usual Boots 3 for 2 smellies, candles, scarves I'll never wear because they're just not to my taste...I'd much rather have an experience or voucher to spend on whatever I like.

Nothing wrong with cash or even a cheque but YABU to give vouchers, vouchers were the bane of my life when DC were small. Usually for shops or cinemas which were 100 miles away or of no interest.

I always ended up "buying" the vouchers off them and for cash they could actually spend where they wanted.

I think vouchers are fine from an aunt. You might not be thrilled to receive them from your parents or husband, but from other relatives gifts tend to be very hit and miss anyway.

I don't like getting vouchers because they make me feel an obligation to do the activities. I definitely wouldn't want to feel like I had to take my child to the cinema once a month.

My Granddaughter is 7 and part of her presents from everyone, are Roblox vouchers. If it wasn't for surprise five mini brands and a bit of art stuff, there would be nothing that she wants. She got gymnastic stuff for her birthday. She likes to choose her own clothes.

I think your vouchers sound very generous and thoughtful

I'd have gone book tokens or download vouchers as i don't know any under 20s that can be arsed with cinemas. But if YOU are into movies and are just sharing your love, then fine.

Adults need to zip it. Maybe just do presents for kids in future if the adults just want to get pissed up.

No I would’ve been thrilled with such a gift OP. It means they don’t end up with something they don’t want, they can plan a nice day out, helps the hospitality industry.

Looks lazy and lacking in thought l think. My family all seem to have gone down the money or voucher route. We moved house on the 25th of November but still managed to sort everyone’s card and presents

I think vouchers for the cinema are a lovely present 🎁
Who is rude that they feel the right to comment.
Much prefer vouchers than loads of tat.

My Granddaughter is 7 and part of her presents from everyone, are Roblox vouchers.
I hope someone is keeping a good eye on her 100% of the time. I teach year two and the things that some of my class have encountered on Roblox would make your eyes bleed.

My family always used to give cash but I think we were in the minority. Everyone prefers cash to vouchers so that’s just what we did and everyone was happy.

Friends gave my dc cinema vouchers stuck to a bag of popcorn one year. It did seem to make it a bit more of a present if I'm honest.

There is a huge difference between a 10 yr old and a 19 yr old, but I do think trying to 'guess' what they like as they move towards teens does become more difficult, so giving them spending power is certainly the way forward.

Personally, I'd go with cash - there are too many difficulties with vouchers....you end up losing the 'spare bit' on the card, or having to add to it to use it up, then not everyone will be comfortable going to the cinema, then the chain goes bust or the date runs out, etc etc.

I think most people would prefer cash, given a choice.

I would have been happy with the
vouchers ! Money just ends up on a regular groceries shop but a voucher means I actually use it for the treat intended .

Personally I think it's daft to exchange vouchers, can't see the point of it.

I'd honestly have been very pleased with your presents OP, I think they're very thoughtful, and nobody needs more 'stuff'.

I think this is a great present. Our kids get so much 'stuff'. They certainly won't be struggling to find something to play with. Vouchers would let us have lovely days out together

Just give money. It’s much easier than vouchers - which are merely a more complicated mean ps of giving money!

Did they ask for vouchers? I give vouchers as the main present to my teenage nephews and nieces but I ask them where they want the vouchers for, I don’t just go and buy a random cinema voucher and assume they will want that. I also add a token gift with it too so they have something to unwrap there and then. My nieces and nephews still love a selection box so I usually get those along with the vouchers.

Enough trips to the cinema for a year? Sounds a lot. I would have at least divided the value across two vouchers - cinema and something else - or got a smaller value voucher and something to unwrap. For adults vouchers can be a bind. The HP world, for example, yes, they are fans and would love to go but ask yourself why they haven’t yet. It’s not just the admission. It’s the petrol cost of getting there, the parking, the food, etc. I often think that “experience” vouchers force people to spend more money because they don’t want the voucher to go to waste but the “experience” is only a fraction of the cost.

My 10 year old would have loved that present. My daughter even struggled herself with knowing what to ask for this year. I would be so happy if someone gifted her something like the cinima voucher