Is it ok to give money or just lazy?

tanith

For the last 2 or 3 yrs all my grandkids apart from the little one have all said they would rather have cash or vouchers for Christmas and I have gone along with it as to be honest it takes a great weight off my mind worrying about what to get them... I have just put a £20 note (might have to cut that in half now I am retired) in a card and they have all been happy as it means they have something to look forward to going out after the 'big day' to get whatever they want with their money.
But I have this little voice in my head that says its just the lazy way out of shopping for a pressie... I do buy presants for my other family members its just the older (10yrs and up) grandkids....

So please am I just being lazy or is it ok?

debjk

If its what they want then I would say ok I have a similar thing with Neices and nephews but what I do is buy something they might like for a couple of pound( except this year I am going to make my own) and put the money in the gift that way It still feels like I am giving them a gift rather than just the money.
For the girls this year I am going to buy a pink mug put in some hot chocolates and pink and white marshmallows and put the note inside then wrap in cellophane with a bow and the boys a mug with sweets inside wrapped in cellophane again.

Debbie

earthmother

I'd say it's fine


What would be worse?

1) Spending ages trekking around the shops trying to find something they'd like, wrapping it up, worrying whether you got the right thing, and then them unwrapping something they don't like/have no use for/will lie gathering dust for ages then get sold or sent to the charity shop/school fete.

or (2) Giving what they've asked for (money) and letting them open something they will appreciate, that they can use, and hopefully getting to watch them enjoy playing with/using whatever they spend it on.


They might be asking everyone for money so they can get something that's far too expensive for one person to buy, or they might really have no idea what they want. Look at it this way - at least they aren't so materialistic that they'll ask for anything and everything.

You are thinking of them - you are giving them what they've asked for - and what's wrong with relaxing a bit and taking the easier option when you can, especially at retirement age.

chugalug

As they get older, I think its perfectly acceptable. After all, its fun deciding how to spend your Christmas money in the sales............ how moneysaving!!

meerustar

If it's for a child then a little gift would be better as they like to open presents, but if you can't be bothered shopping for teens etc, then a gift card is a nice option.

However, it could cost you more. I buy my older nephews Lynx gift sets that you can get for about £5, whereas I'd feel tight putting £5 in a card IFSWIM.

tanith

Thanks everyone for putting my mind at ease... I shall carry on doing it as they means halving my shopping list....

debjk I think the idea of the mugs and sweeties is an excellent one and I might adopt that too...

thanks

Sallys_Savings

I think its fine too...and not lazy if thats what they would prefer.

My children would prefer money now as it means they can save up for bigger items or events. I normally let everyone know what they are saving up for when they receive the money or put in a thank you note (or a photo of what they're saving up for once they have it).

In the past my children have saved money up for a school skiing trip (I'd already paid for her to go to france in the same year so she saved for this herself)....a concert ticket (glastonbury and a band)......driving lessons......wheels for my sons car...swimming with dolphins on holiday....football kit....fishing items etc. etc.

If my children hadnt of received money for birthdays and christmas they would of missed out on things we wouldnt of been able to afford...so yes definitely not lazy

RoxieW

i think its fine. i have 2 boys and every xmas the house gets cluttered up with stuff - half of which they wont play with or already have something similar. i d love relatives to put some money in their child trust funds or bank accounts instead but they dont like to - i guess they like the pleasure of buying a gift which is nice but not so nice for me when my boys get 8 huge remote control cars as they did last year!
please excuse the fact i sound like an ungrateful cow BTW!

Simone1408

If they have an i-pod what about a voucher for that instead, as that is the way buying music is going these days! You can pick these up in loads of shops, including Sainsburys and Tesco! In fact there are loads of credit card type gift vouchers out there, you may find something else suitable (Next, HMV, Debenhams!) At least this will stop them spending the money on junk food!!!

dianadors

My kids much prefer money or vouchers these days from relatives and friends. Also my friends kids prefer me to get them vouchers or money too. I usually get them a bit of something to open too - this year I sent for the lucky dip books from the book people - these work out at 70p each instead of the £6.99 it says on the back.

xabbyxlouise

The teenagers in our family prefer money/vouchers aswell that way they can get a specific item they want! i Dont think its lazy at all especially if thats what they want.