I finally just got around to reading this month’s Money Magazine and I found an interesting article that dealt with the ethics of asking for money as a birthday gift.
The author states, “there’s nothing unethical about telling someone you prefer money over any other gift. But that still doesn’t make it a nice thing to do.”
She goes on to say, “…unless someone very close specifically asks you what’s on your wish list, don’t announce that what you’re looking for is cold, hard cash.”
As a giver, I prefer giving a gift rather than cash. I enjoy trying to figure out what someone would love and making it happen. Of course, I don’t always succeed – like the time I got my wife a gift basket full of cleaning supplies – nothing quite says I love you like “here are some cleaning products so you can keep the house clean for me, while I play on the computer.”
Just kidding, I never actually did that. But if I had, I am sure I wouldn’t have been the first. Which probably drives some people to ask for cash for their birthdays.
As a recipient, I don’t really care. I like cash, I like getting gifts that I love, and even getting gifts that I don’t particularly like. They are all good.
What do you think? Do you prefer cash or gifts? Do you think it is wrong to ask for cash if that is what you really want?
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- 12 ways to earn extra money doing what you love
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{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
There have been times where I’ve been saving for something really big and then I’ve sort of framed it as “what I’d like for Christmas/birthday is a portion of my violin…quilting software..etc.”
So I don’t sound quite so greedy
, I often mention stores that I would love to receive gift cards from. Then the person giving the gift can still feel “personal” and I can buy things that I really need!~
@Mrs. Micah
That sounds like a smooth way of enticing people to give you cash – good idea
Nope… can’t do it… I just can’t bring myself to ask for cash. I don’t like to give cash for gifts either… unless the receiver is a driving age teen or in college, they always need cash! Oops I forgot, we do give cash for wedding gifts too. (As expensive as weddings are these days… I figure that is probably the most enjoyed gift)!
My immediate family are some of the most wonderful poeple..and the worst gift givers on the planet. 20 (ish) years ago when my wife and I were dating, I observed a Christmas get together where no less than 6 people gave my now wife jewelry boxes. Fast forward to last year, four people gave my wife various forms of relaxation waterfalls (double funny because these things have the effect of nails on a chalkboard with my wife).
Don’t get me started on my Mother. In 40 (ish) years, she’s never grasped the concept of age appropriate gifts: She gives my pre-teens Dora the Explorer, gives me novelty ties (I wear jeans to work) VHS tapes (we don’t have a VHS player);
So last year we had the cash for Christmas discussion. Things this year went much better and the kids got what they really wanted.
Most people like to get cash and give gifts. If you are a good shopper you can find something that “looks” more expensive than it was, and if you give cash you tend to give more so you don’t appear cheap.
Best Wishes,
D4L