I give money for gifts at Christmas

[Trailrider1951]

Does that make me a bad person?

My reasoning is this: Everyone could always use a bit more currency, especially at this time of year. My children are grown with families of their own, and my grandchildren are now old enough to appreciate a little extra moolah to buy something they really want. I don't have to guess what to get everyone, and, even better, I can stay away from the crowded stores and the pandemonium that seems to take place there at this time of year. So, what's your take on good old US $$$ in a nice Christmas card for a gift? Does this make me a bad Grandma?

[ret5hd]

1. Hell no, grandma!!! You're the greatest!!!

Did you get my latest address? If not PM me!

[Arkansas Granny]

2. It has been my experience that everyone likes that shade of green and it always fits.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

3. One year I gave my teenaged nieces gift cards

and my SIL raised holy hell because she didn't think those were "thoughtful" gifts. Teenagers are hard to buy for because when you're old you don't know what's fashionable and cool -- so rather than make an uncool mistake I thought gift cards to their favorite stores would be a good idea. The kids seemed to be fine with them. Their mother, not so much. But then, everything I do is wrong as far as she's concerned. This year everybody gets food.

[rug]

4. Give your sister-in-law a vial of Zyban.

[OriginalGeek]

14. " This year everybody gets food."

And I want to thank you for that. It has been my contention for, well, ever since my dad put the idea into my head, that I need to check every present that comes in just in case it's food. We wouldn't want food spoiling under the christmas tree. This practice drives my wife batty. She says I know damn good and well the flat screen TV I bought myself is not food. BUT I STILL HAVE TO CHECK! The universe is weird and does weird things. If Schrödinger taught us nothing else, he taught us to look inside and make sure it's not food. Or a dead cat.

[Lochloosa]

5. CHRISTMAS IS FOR TOYS!

But money works too.

[mulsh]

6. The first year my parents gave me money rather than a traditional gift I bought a gold & lapis ring.

It was exactly what I had been wanting. It fit perfectly, looked great. That was about 30 years ago. I wear the ring every day. Now that both parents and my brothers are dead it serves as a reminder of all the good times we had.

I did similar things with the subsequent Christmas cash they gave me. So I've got great memories of them and a few tangilbe and durable things that add in keeping those memories alive.

[cynatnite]

7. Green is good...

That's an awesome gift. The kids can do what they want with it and likely no complaining.

My son gets cash from his grandparents for Christmas and birthday.

[Laffy Kat]

8. Of course cash is great.

But for heaven's sake, if they don't write you a thank you cut them off. My sons' WONDERFUL grandparents (my ex-inlaws) gave my sons cash for everything and I had to hold a gun (not really) to their ungracious little heads to get them to write thanks yous. Now that they are adults, I don't do that anymore so they don't write thank yous. I told my in-laws last year if they didn't get thanks yous: Cut. Them. Off. They have.

[patricia92243]

13. My daughter would not let her son cash the check until he wrote his

thank you notes. It worked!

[handmade34]

9. probably better than my NOTHING!

does that make me bad? NO.

[Trailrider1951]

10. Thanks everybody for your input

Great responses! I'm going to give ca$h again this year, and I think that the kids enjoy some spending money that is entirely their own, with no strings attached.

In the past couple of years, I have helped finance: art supplies, jewelry, trendy clothes, train rides, ear piercings (with Mom's OK, of course), X-Box games, Ren Fair costumes, movies, hiking shoes and a set of Star Wars bedsheets. I think it's money well spent.

Y'all have yourselves Happy Holidays, however you choose to celebrate!

[Sanity Claws]

11. No it doesn't make you a bad person

It sounds like they are at a very difficult age to buy for and that you had bought things for them in the past. It's fine if you give money for Christmas this one year.

It would be a different situation if you always gave money and never ever even tried to get them a gift. There are families like that. I was in one. My father just never cared enough to get a gift for anyone. He just couldn't be bothered to think of someone else and what would please them. That concept was too far out for him.

[RobinA]

12. Do What You Feel

is right in your situation. I am not a money-giver except at graduation, but that's me. I also come from a family where if you don't get exactly what's on your list you use it anyway. I'm an Aunt and I do ask the teens and 20 year olds what they want. My days of being cool are over, so I need their help.

The Grandma in the picture is very cool, and she would not have to think hard to figure out a nonmonetary gift for me!

[OriginalGeek]

15. My aunt is fond of giving cash for gift-giving occasions with one stipulation

IT MUST BE SPENT ON FUN.

And we have to show our work. No paying bills with it and then claiming "oh, we went to a movie..."


Did I mention she is my favorite aunt? Often the cash ends up in the hands of the local liquor store and we go over and share with her.