Cop out Christmas gift

[clartins]

I’m prepared for the backlash but does anyone else agree that cash as a gift for Christmas is a cop out. Find out what they would spend £X amount on and get them that.

No. For Christmas. I would much prefer money/ Amazon voucher than something I'll never use and will juts be a thing that takes up space. If someone has something in mind that I need- great. Otherwise I'd prefer to be able to get something I really want myself.

I’d be quite happy with a boots 3 for 2 that someone had chosen specifically for me rather than a tenner bunged in a card as I am neither snobbish about what I am given nor in need of cash as opposed to consideration. I think the way people talk about things like the boots purchases here is appalling tbh. It does not show them in a good light.

Agree teens can be different though especially if they aren’t working or only working very part time while studying especially @HeddaGarbled

Nope. My kids would be over the moon with cash - they are teenagers so hard to buy for and don't want to be limited to a voucher picked by the gifter.

@RJnomore1 ... by giving me cash, people know that they are choosing specifically for me though. They know I put it all together and then go and treat myself to tickets to a show or play or concert which is what I love to go to but cannot always justify taking the money from the family budget.
I don't need another scarf or candle or jumper, but people that know me know that I enjoy going to the theatre so give the money towards that 'luxury' as they know that is what I will enjoy.
Shouldn't presents be about what the recipient would appreciate ?

I can see a niceness to that too kite if you ask a few people to contribute to something that is more than one would spend. Although you can easily purchase gift vouchers for theatres and gigs as well, of course.

What’s downright awful though is a transactional just give me money coupled with a sneering towards gifts people are given. Apparent from a few passive aggressive cases no one goes out and buys a present they think someone else will dislike.

I'd rather have / give cash than a tat present that's unwanted.

I give cash and like to choose a nice card plus a small token gift eg body spray/Lynx set/chocs and wrap them up together. I enjoy choosing cards but worry I'd get the gift wrong...that is for my main people..
Shortbread and Xmas plant for others. That's my system! : - )

PS I dread getting 'yet another scarf' ha ha.

I suppose where I’m coming from is a place where Christmas morning if I just gave envelopes of cash I would feel like I had put no thought into the gift. Personally if my DP, DH or DC gave me cash I’d be put out (if that makes me ungrateful I accept it, as I’d rather they told me that they hadn’t had time or were going to get me something in the sales than gave cash) Taken to the nth degree “cash is king” no parcels under the tree, just some envelopes on the floor with cash in As the expression goes “it’s the thought that counts”; and for me giving cash doesn’t show much though. That said, you do you. I’ll do me and I sincerely hope everyone that celebrates Christmas has a wonderful time. You all get what you like and any unwanted candles send them my way as I love a candle

It's not a cop out for some. I know my teenage or even preteen nieces and nephews def prefer the money!

Aw I'd prefer the cash too 🙈😂

@RJnomore1 no one has been snobbish about boots, people are making the point that buying person toiletries (unless you know they like that sort of thing, and you know what brands they like) is a thoughtless gift and buying for the sake of buying. Put the same amount of cash in a card that they can put towards something they want.

I got to the point where I had literally a ridiculous amount of Champneys and sanctuary toiletries sets from the past few years of birthdays and Christmas. Fortunately a couple of months ago there was a local collection of stuff for the Afghan refugees who were staying locally. Toiletries were on the wanted list.. I was able to send 2 big full carrier bags! Cleared my cupboard and did good deed for the day! 😁

My son once got 14 tins of deodorant in various sets- he was about 14. He was mystified and it was total waste of money.

As a parent I bought all of his toiletries.

Not much of a gift. Sticking a £1 can of Lynx in a gift box with some shower gel doesn't make it a gift.

@HolidayTime2021

My son once got 14 tins of deodorant in various sets- he was about 14. He was mystified and it was total waste of money.

As a parent I bought all of his toiletries.

Not much of a gift. Sticking a £1 can of Lynx in a gift box with some shower gel doesn't make it a gift.

I’ve never bought my nieces and nephews toiletries I’ve always spoken with their parents for a gift they have on their Christmas wish list. My own children are asked to compile a list since they were little with everything from a couple of pounds upwards to cover all budgets. They were told when they were small that they wouldn’t get everything they asked for but they would get some items from their list.

That made me laugh! It’s so true ... most gifts are crap anyway. I think it’s only nice to give proper gifts if you know what someone likes and buy them something thoughtful they will genuinely be pleased with. Otherwise, do the planet a favour (landfill) and give cash

Last comment directed @HolidayTime2021

@HolidayTime2021 what a wonderful and astute child you have, that's just lovely

It depends on the recipient.
For MIL’s partner it’s so difficult thinking of a gift he will love or actually use, but cash would be a cop out as we know he likes being surprised and he himself spends a lot of time thinking up gifts for everyone.
For DSD, my nieces (and myself!), cash is happily received as we all like to shop for ourselves at our own leisure.

Cash, I still have stuff I was given 2years ago in my cupboard thats never seen the light of day.

@Twiglets1

That made me laugh! It’s so true ... most gifts are crap anyway. I think it’s only nice to give proper gifts if you know what someone likes and buy them something thoughtful they will genuinely be pleased with. Otherwise, do the planet a favour (landfill) and give cash

Yep! And unfortunately lots of people are not as good at presents as they think they are.

Cash makes sense if given e.g. from parents/grandparents to child/teenager, but if everyone gave each other cash there would be no point.

I give my niece and godson money because I've no idea what to get them. My godson always wants trainers or football gear and that's more than I'd spend so he can put it towards it. And my niece is at uni so always happy for money.

Not a cop out at all for children or younger adults as I'm mid forties and not exactly down with the kids so would be at a loss of what to get them.

I have given cash for years, to nieces and nephews. When they are very small, gifts are a bit easier. I used to ask their parents, so that it was something the child really wanted or needed.

As they get older, they are usually saving towards something or other, that they really want and that makes me happy, to add another bit on to help with that.

No it’s not a cop out. It’s what they want