Money for christmas presents....

[storminabuttercup]

please share your thoughts?

DP is always given money from his parents. They plan on doing same for DS. DS is only 4 months so doesnt care, but im thinking of future xmas's do your kids like recieving cash?

I always got money at Christmas from one particular relative and was always quite pleased to have something to spend in the sales, so I was happy with it. HTH. :)

My dad and I don't give anything to each other -- it's bliss!! No obligations to guess right. Just hugs and best wishes.

My dad mostly gives cash to DC and I choose or pass the cash on. I give mostly cash to DC.

11yo prefers cash. He has a history of changing his mind very quickly about what he wants, cash is only safe bet.

9yo: complicated, she won't practice music but still wants lessons so has agreed that she will pay for her own lessons -- so she mostly gets cash but it goes straight to lessons.

6yo: says he wants part gifts we choose (I am getting him Hama bead sets) and part cash (will be about 20 quid).

3yo: obviously cash no good, it's fun to have someone for whom I entirely choose what to get.

But I have decided this year that stocking contents should be choices from us, things I'd like to get them that they won't know in advance and that I think are reasonably good bets (but low value, can't go too far wrong). DH usually gets them some Xmas Eve items for them, too.

Thanks - i think at the min i am thinking that it kinda just puts the onus on us to then go spend said money at months he cannot pick himself, and tbh i've gone a little crazy with the gift buying and honestly cant think of anything else (he has every toy i saw for his age :-) )

However DP's dad is not giving cash but premium bonds, dont know much about these but i assume he doesnt get them till a certain age, he may not quite understand this as he gets older though

I don't personally like money as presents, but I think its because my family don't tend to approve of cash as gifts (vouchers are OK though, go figure?)

DH parents like to give cash, they usually give cash to us and to the DC. I have always felt slightly uncomfortable with it, but went along with it as that is what they do.

However this year my DC (who are 8, 6 and 4) have specifically asked my PIL for presents rather than cash as they would rather have something to open. So it woudl seem that they aren't keen on cash, although this might change once they are teenagers!

As a child I loved getting money, but I think its was because it was a bit of a novelty and if it had been an expected thing or from lots of relatives the shine would have come off.

My parents give my dcs small presents at Xmas & my dad also sends me a lump sum of cash to treat ourselves to something - I generally use it to buy panto tickets & some extra nice food & drink.