Is Money an Appropriate Gift for Christmas? — A Question Everybody’s Asking
One advantage of a monetary gift is that you will never give the receiver anything awkwardly bad! In this way, you can be sure that your gift will not be wasted because people can use that money to buy anything they want.
In our previous blog1, we discussed various ways to creatively save money on your Christmas gifts. But what if another concern is that you don't have enough time to think about what to buy for everyone?
Sometimes, you wonder if cash is a suitable option, especially when it comes to Christmas gifts.
Many people would not object to receiving money. On the other hand, many people would prefer not to have money as their Christmas gift.
But what is the reasoning behind these different ideas? Let’s take a look at both sides!
Money Is an Appropriate Gift
One advantage of a monetary gift is that you will never give the receiver anything awkwardly bad! In this way, you can be sure that your gift will not be wasted because people can use that money to buy anything they want. Otherwise, if the person prefers to keep the money for other purposes, that would be beneficial for them. All in all, money is a practical gift to give.
Plus, money is an appropriate gift if you know the recipient is going through a personal financial crisis. During this holiday, some people might lose their job, need to pay the mortgage, or be in debt.
Similarly, some might be saving money for a specific goal (e.g., starting their own business or saving for education). If you are close to them, telling them you are giving money because you want to help them with their difficulties or goals is considered thoughtful.
Money Is Not an Appropriate Gift
One concern people have for the idea of money giving is that it does not convey warmth and show personal feelings as well as other gifts. For many, the essential function of the Christmas gift is to bring good feelings to one another.
People rarely give gifts for purely practical reasons. Taking time to choose a present for someone can be viewed as another form of expressing that you care about them. In case you don’t know the person well and feel anxious about how the other might perceive you, avoiding giving money can be good for your mind.
Another advantage of buying a gift for someone is that they will have something to remember you by. If it’s an object, seeing it will remind them of you. Or if you give them experiences, there will be moments lasting in their memory. A monetary gift tends to reduce this aspect of gift-giving.
Wrap It Up
Overall, just like giving any gift, there is no guarantee that the receiver will prefer money as a gift. It usually depends on your relationship with the person, their personality, and the values they hold.
Generally speaking, there is nothing wrong with giving money. It might even be the most thoughtful gift in some scenarios. Still, everyone needs to consider carefully before handing someone money as a gift, especially if they are rather traditional or if you are not familiar with the person yet.
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1 Check out our previous blog: 5 Smart Tips to Keep Your Christmas Gifts on a Budget