DS (17) "only wants money" for Xmas - entitled or sensible?

[MotherofOne]

Our older teens usually tell us what they want as a 'big' present for Xmas and sometimes they ask for money (£100-£150) if they're saving up for something bigger. This is fine by us, but we always get a few extra little bits and pieces e.g. socks, sweets, a book etc so there are some presents under the tree for them to open on Xmas morning. These 'extras' usually cost about £20-£25 max.

DS (whose 17) has just said that he ONLY wants money and DOESN'T want anything else AT ALL, but wants the money that would've been spent on the stocking filler type presents.
I was a bit to be honest and told he sounded very entitled and should be grateful for whatever he gets.

I don't know how I feel about this. On one hand, I kind of understand where he is coming from, but on the other I feel that it will spoil Xmas morning if there is NOTHING for him to open except an envelope of cash.

What would you do?

@Jodie77 your parents sound fab

@snowybaubles sorry but that sounds like Christmas is all about you ‘I’m all about the surprises’

I think he's been quite rude.

It's one thing to say that you'd prefer money to physical gifts and then you can put it towards something bigger, and quite another to essentially say "write me a cheque for whatever you'd spend on me at this time of year, right down to the £2 stocking fillers".

sorry but that sounds like Christmas is all about you ‘I’m all about the surprises’

Sorry. Let me rephrase.

'I'm all about the surprises, because that's what my DC enjoy'

I am the very last person Christmas is about in my house. Had you bothered to quote the next part of my post you would have realised I said to OP it wasn't unreasonable for her DS to ask for the money because he was used to getting money.

I am able to realise people do things differently, why aren't you

I'd think great! Less stress for me!

Sensible. Why buy something they don't want for the sake of it.

Very sensible of him. Christmas isn’t about gifts, it’s about quality time with family, daft games, too much pudding and crap TV.

I don’t do money at all for my 15 and 19 year olds.

I don’t view it as a gift at all.

I did suggest last year they may prefer me not to do stockings and they nearly had a conniption.

They are girls though and they know they’re going to get a hell of s lot more makeup clothes etc from my shopping around with their budget than from them getting the cash.

What does he want the money for?

Very sensible. Just give him money. My boys aren't having a stocking this year as they are up at their dad's. DS1 is getting money from me, DS2 has asked for a couple of specific things so is getting that. I will probably get some body spray and chocs too. For me personally I am single at the mo, but if i ever have a partner again I want to agree up front to not buy each other birthday or xmas gifts at all , maybe just go out for a meal or something. We all have to much stuff. I'm permanently trying to de clutter as it is.

*too much