Each of us, at least once in our life, received or gave money as a gift. And we have all wondered many times whether money is a good and appropriate gift or not. I'm here to help you find the answer.
Money is a good gift idea for some occasions, like weddings or graduation. But in some cases, cash is an entirely inappropriate gift that may be perceived as a lack of respect for the recipient. The decision of whether to give money depends on the closeness of the relationship and the occasion.
So what to do? On what occasion and to whom can we give money as a gift? And when should we avoid this kind of presents?
I've prepared a small guide for you, andafter reading this information, you will never get into an awkward situation giving a monetary gift.
Is It Rude To Give Money As A Gift?
The main idea of any gift is to show your love, gratitude, and care. Whereas money, though a useful present, but a completely impersonal gift. So it's not surprising that some people think that giving cash as a gift is a bad manner.
If you don't want that recipient to perceive your cash gift as indifference, rudeness, lack of imagination, or just laziness and unwillingness to spend time searching for an individual gift, you need to follow a few simple rules.
First of all, never explain to the recipient your choice to give money as a gift with phrases like these:
"Couldn't come up with any gift ideas. Buy yourself something for this money."
"It's hard to find a gift that can satisfy your taste. Choose what you want by yourself."
Even if you say itwithout any sarcasm, as sincerely as possible, such words still can offend a person, especially your close friends or family.
Money is considered as a good gift for occasions such as weddings, graduations, birthdays, or if you know for sure that a person is raising money for some expensive thing. In other cases, if you decide to give money as a gift, make sure that you consider all other gift options.
The amount of money depends on the occasion, your financial capabilities, and the closeness of your relationship with the recipient, so it should be decided individually in each case. Just remember that you shouldn't give more than you can afford, just because you worry about the opinion of others.
Money is a pretty quick and straightforward solution for a gift. They are never superfluous, and the recipient will certainly find them useful.
In general, money is a good gift idea, but don't forget about the etiquette rules of giving money so that your gift doesn't look rude and inappropriate.
Is A Gift Card A Better Gift Than Just Money?
If you don't like the idea of money as a gift, and you don't know what the recipient would like to receive as a gift, you can always give a gift card.
Gift cards are produced by popular brand stores and small craft manufacturers and beauty salons, restaurants, museums, theaters, and airlines, so you can choose the option that best suits your recipient's needs.
Among the impressive range of gift cards, you can always find the perfect option for every taste and budget. Besides, gift cards make a great present because the recipients can get exactly what they want.
According to the 2018 Blackhawk Network report, birthdays (67%) and winter holidays (44%) are the two most popular occasions to purchase a gift card.
The survey by The National Retail Federation (NRF) in 2019 showed that 59% of respondents would like to receive a gift card as a gift for the winter holidays. According to the survey, 67% of women and 50% of men would like to receive this type of present. Such an impressive statistic!
It looks like a gift card is an excellent alternative to a cash gift,isn't it?But unfortunately, a gift card isn't a perfect gift idea, as may seems at first glance. In this case, also there are some disadvantages.
Firstly, gift cards have some limitations. For example, the selected store may be located in another area and not accept orders online, so the recipient may not be comfortable going to the other end of town to use the gift card.
According to the Consumer Reports survey, 16% of Americans said they could not use the gift card because of their location.
Another problem is that a gift card can also be perceived by some people as an impersonal gift. So when giving a gift card, you should think about another small gift, such as a greeting card, flowers, or some sweets.
After all, more than 60 percent of consumers, surveyed by Blackhawk Network, believe that a gift card, personalized by handwritten wishes, makes the gift more thoughtful.
Can I Give Money As A Birthday Gift?
Money can be an excellent birthday gift.
Cash gifts are a great solution, especially in situations where you are not sure that the recipient will like other gift ideas.
After all, there is always a risk to buy a beautiful thing that will be unnecessary and may be hidden in a storage box and never used.
If you are sure that a person will gladly accept money for a birthday present, then, without a doubt, give a cash gift.
A monetary gift is a win-win option. It's convenient and flexible. The recipient can choose the thing they need or may spend the money on travel or other activities.
However, some people say it's rude when the recipient asks for cash gifts, while others say it's a normal practice. There is no single right answer; it all depends on the situation and interpersonal relationships.
But, don't forget that although the recipient may express their preferences for the gift, deciding what kind of present to give is solely the prerogative of the giver.
Is Money An Appropriate Gift For The Wedding?
A wedding is one of those life events when money as a gift is one of the best options.
Marriage isn't just the creation of a new family; it's new responsibilities and lifestyles that require high financial costs. So it's not surprising that giving money to newlyweds is a popular tradition.
If you are also invited to the engagement party, the money is an acceptable gift in this case too. Although an engagement gift is not traditionally mandatory, if you decide to give money, such a present will undoubtedly be highly appreciated.
If the newlyweds have not shared with guests their gift registry or agreed in advance what they would like to receive for the wedding or engagement gift, feel free to give them money.
However, there are some exceptions. For example, it's better not to give money as a wedding gift if the newlyweds are older than the giver and their financial situation is quite good.
Oh, and most importantly, don't forget to make your gift at least a little personalized. Be sure to add a greeting card with handwritten lovely and cute wishes for the newlyweds because an unsigned envelope with money is a bad form.
Is Money The Best Graduation Gift?
Graduation, no matter from high school or college, is a prominent and huge milestone in everyone's life.
And when it comes to graduation gifts, money is king.
Over the past few years, money has taken first place among all kinds of graduation gifts.
According to the NRF 2018 survey, 55% of respondents decided to give graduates cash and financially supported students in their expensive transition from high school to college or college to real life.
Next time, don't think about graduation gift ideas and feel free to give money. A cash gift is an excellent opportunity to express your support and make a particular financial contribution to the new grads’ further success.
Is Money A Good Idea For A Retirement Gift?
However, I advise you to avoid cash gifts, as this isn't generally accepted and may be misperceived by the recipient.
The primary purpose of a retirement gift is to show respect and convey heartfelt appreciation, and money isn't the best idea for this.
Try to make your gift more thoughtful and caring. A gift related to a retiree's hobby, such as gardening, fishing, etc., or their future retirement plans, will be much more pleasant and useful than an impersonal envelope with money.
Is It Okay To Give Money For A Baby Shower Party?
A baby shower is a lovely party for close friends and family. The main idea of this live event is to "shower" expectant parents with gifts, care, support, and sincere wishes.
On this occasion, it is customary to give things that will be necessary and useful for the child, such as children's clothes, toys, and diapers. Usually, expectant parents make a gift registry so that guests know which gift to choose.
If you are invited to a baby shower party with the gift registry, feel free to choose a gift from the list. However, if there is no such registry, and you don't know which gift will be better for a baby shower, it's absolutely ok to give a monetary gift.Expectant parents will be grateful to you.
A cash gift is a convenient solution because parents can buy everything they may need. After all, caring for a newborn child requires high costs, so a monetary gift is an excellent opportunity to financially support new parents.
Can I Give Money As A Christmas Gift?
Money is a good but not perfect Christmas gift idea.
All the magic of Christmas gifts in their unpacking. Removing the gift wrap from the box, everyone expects to receive a pleasant, joyful surprise.
Therefore, money doesn't work as a perfect present under the Christmas tree.
Still, a cash gift remains one of the most popular options for winter holiday presents. When you don't have the opportunity to buy expensive gifts or don't want to purchase unnecessary souvenirs, giving money is a great solution.
Well, another good idea, which I've already mentioned above, is to give a gift card, especially since for many people it's an acceptable gift that looks more thoughtful than just money.
A cash gift can be a good idea and a reasonably convenient solution for many occasions. The money will almost always be an appropriate gift for newlyweds, graduates, or just birthdays. If possible, avoid giving cash as a gift for a retirement party, baby shower party, or anniversary.
When deciding to give money, make sure that your friends and relatives don't consider this kind of gift rude. Make a little effort and make your monetary gift more personalized and unique by adding a greeting card with handwritten wishes.
About the Author
Hi! I'm Yasia, founder of giftideaspace.com. I’m passionate about gift-giving, and I’m here to help you choose perfect gifts for your loved ones.I will always provide you with the best possible gift ideas and explain, based on statistics, scientific studies, and my own experience, why one or another gift is the best option to surprise your recipient.
