MojoMan Posted December 22, 2011 Share Posted December 22, 2011 (edited) This here article http://www.slate.com/articles/business/mon...ft_giving_.html says that money is the most economically efficient gift.I think that for everyone but kids, cash is the best gift. However, I know that some people consider money as a gift crass or thoughtless. What say ye? Also, this article says that gift giving opportunities are a good time to "redistribute" wealth in a family a little (example grandparents and parents giving more to the youger generations than they reciprocate). Fortunately for me, I am usually in the position of being the distributor, not the distributee. However, I think the distributee should return a token gift and acknowledge the gift. What say ye? ETA: Daggone, I thought I had a poll question that asked whether you think giving money is crass/thoughtless. Edited December 22, 2011 by MojoMan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Savage Beatings Posted December 22, 2011 Share Posted December 22, 2011 We have some teenagers in the family that flat out refuse to say what they want as a gift and only request cash. It sucks because its absolutely no fun to watch someone receive cash, but we do it. We don't get anything in return except for a thank you. If we didn't receive a thank you, I don't know if we would continue giving it or not to be honest with you. We would probably keep giving it, but would use passive aggressive shame techniques on their parents. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeeR Posted December 22, 2011 Share Posted December 22, 2011 For teens or similar, sadly, this is where they are at and frankly I'm OK with it despite not liking the principle of such an impersonal gift. I'd rather that than trying to guess what they want (few ideas are ever given) and odds are whiffing. And it is what they want and then they can get whatever they really do want. Face it in this day and age the excited fun of opening presents (except for the very young) is waning. Sad but seems to be reality. I think part of it is many/most kids just have way too much damned stuff nowdays, even those who are middle or lower-middle class. It all becomes a blur and a big yawn. What's one more video game when you already have 20? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
detlef Posted December 22, 2011 Share Posted December 22, 2011 (edited) It's interesting and, frankly makes me wonder what the point is any more. It got to the point where family, like my step-mother, were so specific in what they wanted and wanted me to do the same that it stopped feeling like a gift any more. "Go get me this. Then ship it all the way across the country." I basically put a halt to it and said I really didn't want anything. If they wanted to donate some money to a charity in my name, I'd be happy to do the same, but I wasn't going to go to Amazon and buy them a toaster because that's what they wanted and then tell them to get me a coffee maker because I needed a new one. It seemed stupid. If I need a coffee maker, I'll go get myself a coffee maker. Now, we don't have any kids or young relatives to shop for, so there's that. I could see giving people younger than you some cash, but I think if it got to the point where I was just exchanging cash with people, then I think the whole gift-giving charade is over. Now that we've started canning as much as we do from our garden, that's basically what everyone gets. This year, my wife found a very interesting book and sent everyone a copy as well. For employees, it's either a bottle of wine or cash. Edited December 22, 2011 by detlef Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
i_am_the_swammi Posted December 22, 2011 Share Posted December 22, 2011 I have three teenage nieces and nephews, and it inevitably comes down to which gift card to get them...iTunes, Gamestop, or Amazon. But I never flat-out give them cash....my brother would kill me for basically handing them a bag of dope. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MojoMan Posted December 22, 2011 Author Share Posted December 22, 2011 detlef....agree with what is the point but, to my way of thinking....giving the gift at least shows that you thought of the person and, with my money needing relatives...is definitely appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
detlef Posted December 22, 2011 Share Posted December 22, 2011 detlef....agree with what is the point but, to my way of thinking....giving the gift at least shows that you thought of the person and, with my money needing relatives...is definitely appreciated. I get it and would certainly hook up any nieces and nephews with cash if I had them. I've seen friends try to be the "cool" uncle and give the youngins' something that they think they would have dug at their age. Problem is, they're thinking about from the standpoint of a 40 something year old and if he was 17 knowing what he knows now sort of deal. Unless you're really close to the kid, you're probably going to swing and miss and may as well slide the kid some cash. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whoopazz Posted December 22, 2011 Share Posted December 22, 2011 I lose this argument every year in my house, but I've come to resent the whole exchange of gifts tradition. In my mind, some toys for your own children, a thoughtful gift or two for your SO and adult kids, maybe one for immediate family or someone special (preferably crafted), and thats it. This idea of smothering kids with junk and exchanging gifts with other peoples kids, folks at work, etc - its stupid i tell ya. We invariably end up with a bunch of crap we don't want or need, and I know most people don't have the money to buy this stuff. I'll never understand the urge to exchange money with other's kids, family members, etc. If you want to give someone money, give it to those in need. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clubfoothead Posted December 22, 2011 Share Posted December 22, 2011 I've given gift certificates and lotto ticket but don't recall ever giving cash. I enjoy getting cash as a gift. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimmy Neutron Posted December 22, 2011 Share Posted December 22, 2011 (edited) We give a lot of gift cards, but never actual cash. Edited December 22, 2011 by Jimmy Neutron Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeeR Posted December 22, 2011 Share Posted December 22, 2011 We give a lot of gift cards, but never actual cash. Actually yeah that's what I do but the gist is the same. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chief Dick Posted December 22, 2011 Share Posted December 22, 2011 We've pretty much put a halt to the extended gift giving. We just simply cannot afford it. We buy for the kids, parents, and my nephew and niece. And sometimes for each other. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Furd Posted December 22, 2011 Share Posted December 22, 2011 Gift cards. I give them. I get them. I like them. Unless you're talking about the keeds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
muck Posted December 22, 2011 Share Posted December 22, 2011 Each of our kids get three gifts each -- a need, a want and a 'good to have'. Christ got three (a need (myrrh, a burial resin), a want (frankensense, a good general purpose antiseptic) and a 'good to have' (gold)), our kids don't need more gifts than He received. Each of our kids draw names for their cousins. We do one present for my parents and one for my wifes parents. None for our siblings. My wife and I will exchange one or two small gifts that are generally of the "need" variety that are pretty well advertised ahead of time (i.e., I'm getting a new pair of waterproof work boots and my wife is getting a longer winter coat that will keep her butt warm when walking around outside). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeeR Posted December 22, 2011 Share Posted December 22, 2011 Each of our kids get three gifts each -- a need, a want and a 'good to have'. Christ got three (a need (myrrh, a burial resin), a want (frankensense, a good general purpose antiseptic) and a 'good to have' (gold)), our kids don't need more gifts than He received. Neat way to look at it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bpwallace49 Posted December 22, 2011 Share Posted December 22, 2011 I always do a lot of baking around the holidays, and always give my employees, neighbors, and the kids teachers something. Outside of wife, kids, and neices /nephews, it is something small and specific. I do not have teenage relatives to deal with yet . . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rajncajn Posted December 22, 2011 Share Posted December 22, 2011 (edited) I always do a lot of baking around the holidays, and always give my employees, neighbors, and the kids teachers something. Outside of wife, kids, and neices /nephews, it is something small and specific. I do not have teenage relatives to deal with yet . . A lot of my family & kids teachers get the same. My wife spent two days this year baking various treats and packaging them up in nice containers. I almost never give cash, but I will give a gift card now and then. Edited December 22, 2011 by rajncajn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Azazello1313 Posted December 22, 2011 Share Posted December 22, 2011 is this thread about giving cash for tit? yeah but singles only Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frenzal rhomb Posted December 23, 2011 Share Posted December 23, 2011 I give my god daughter 100.00. She gets two fifties and I require she put at least one in the bank. Xmas economics 101 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duchess Jack Posted December 23, 2011 Share Posted December 23, 2011 I can't stand gift cards or cash, but get my mom a gift card in addition to a gift because she's po. I have to make sure it gets there after Christmas or she'd use it to buy gifts. I suppose she could still do so afterwards, but at least its not as easy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scooby's Hubby Posted December 23, 2011 Share Posted December 23, 2011 cash never, but I dont mind gift cards, especially for clothes. now my brother is very lazy and he gives me and scooby amex cards, but that is ok b/c we use them on clothes. Now, if you are my six yr old, he collects money and keeps it. He likes to have every denomination he can get, although he did not keep his Franklin very long Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Holy Roller Posted December 24, 2011 Share Posted December 24, 2011 is this thread about giving cash for tit? yeah but singles only The bride wants cash and she knows what I want. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T_bone65 Posted December 24, 2011 Share Posted December 24, 2011 Gift cards are becoming a staple present with 8 nieces and nephews between the ages of 16-25, barely get a thank you out of most of them which is ignorant. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeeR Posted December 24, 2011 Share Posted December 24, 2011 But probably far more common than any of us would care to think. As I say, kids simply get way too much stuff and it's all a yawn to them, many simply don't appreciate it. Not saying it's their fault per se. Most of us really are just way too steeped in or wrapped up in "stuff." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ursa Majoris Posted December 24, 2011 Share Posted December 24, 2011 We give a lot of gift cards, but never actual cash. This. I love getting gift cards, they allow you to buy stuff you would maybe balk at with your own money but they aren't tacky like money is (perceived to be). Hugh variety, including restaurants, online like iTunes, Amazon and stuff, I think they are way cool. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.