[Julie Vazquez]

I've got teenagers and it seems like COLD CASH is the gift they want most. I still like to see their surprised faces when they open a gift though, so I always have at least one or two small items for them to unwrap. Do you give cash (or gift cards) as gifts to your kids?

[Tricia Meyer]

Julie Vazquez, on 15 November 2010 - 01:47 PM, said:

I've got teenagers and it seems like COLD CASH is the gift they want most. I still like to see their surprised faces when they open a gift though, so I always have at least one or two small items for them to unwrap. Do you give cash (or gift cards) as gifts to your kids?

My kids are younger so we are on the opposite end. We give mainly gifts but then some small gift cards that they can use to spend on whatever they want (like Borders or iTunes). I do have to say that they cash/gift card gifts help them to appreciate what things cost a little bit more because they have to figure out how to maximize their funds to get what they want!

[Julie Vazquez]

Tricia Meyer, on 15 November 2010 - 08:35 PM, said:

I do have to say that they cash/gift card gifts help them to appreciate what things cost a little bit more because they have to figure out how to maximize their funds to get what they want!

Very true, good point!

[MoneyMindedDad]

The problem I have with cash is that the kids forget who it is from and the present loses the symbolism. When kids get gifts, we always make sure that they write down what they received from whom so that they can send a thank you note. This is good on two fronts: 1) It ensures that they are thankful for what they receive and 2) It reinforces their memory of what they received.

[fruitbowlk]

I have a 13 year old niece and I'm going to give her cash for her christmas and in January for her birthday. I think would like that more than me picking something out for her.

[Katy]

I have a two very small children, so I haven't had to make this decision with my own... But, I have a 16 year old brother and all he wants is money or gift cards. I understand that he likes to pick out his own things, but he has the opportunity to earn money from my dad by helping out with odd jobs around their house. I kind of feel like he is cheating the system by holding out until December (Birthday and Christmas) and then asking for money. Yes, it is very important for children to learn the value of money through experience (i.e. budgeting and shopping), but if the money is just being handed to them then they aren't learning the true value because much of the value is created through earning the money. The other downside to money and gift cards is the whole "it's the thought that counts" saying; if someone is giving only money for Christmas then are they thinking about who the recipient is at all (at least with gift cards they can be purchased for a specific store so it acknowledges the recipients taste)?

[Jen Goode]

I have both young kids and a teen. With the teen, he has very few "wish list" items that I would purchase. Most are out of the price range I'm willing to spend for the occasion, so giving him cash he can use towards his savings goal has been a good gift. It also helps with his continual mind changing with music or games and I don't have to keep up with which ones he does or doesn't have or want today.

I'm all for giving gifts with meaning and symbolism. However, I have found that sometimes it's better to give something they will use than a gift that might mean something to us that he soon forgets. Gift cards work well for us because we can decide which item we are giving money towards (itunes or Gamestop vs a Visa gc, etc.). I will usually find some fun t-shirt or related smaller item to go along with the card and wrap them together... that feeds my need to give a "surprise" type gift.

It's the thought that counts, I've always said and to me that means, it's the idea that we thought of the gift recipient and did something to show them we care -- what that "something" is, it's nearly as important as the "did" is.