Do You Prefer Money Or Gifts For Birthdays?

@gudheart (12659)
January 21, 2016 5:39am CST
I have a slight dilemma as it is my niece's birthday on Friday and my Nephew's birthday in February. I know they would obviously prefer toys because they are both very young, but part of me wants to give them some money too to but in their savings account for when they are older. The issue is I don't have much money to spend on them, so toys are expensive as it is, so by the time I have spent money on toys there is not much left over (if there is any money left over) to put towards their savings. I personally prefer money than gifts as I am old enough now to appreciate the value of money! What do you think I should do? Also what do you prefer?
38 people like this
52 responses
@topffer (42156)
• France
21 Jan 16
I usually prefer to buy gifts. I give money only when I had no time to look for a gift or to find an interesting gift, but money is not a real gift that can be kept and will remember you later. I was surprised to hear from a goddaughter which is now an adult, that she had kept a little radio that I offered her when she was 7. It was her first radio, and she really appreciated it.
5 people like this
@gudheart (12659)
21 Jan 16
Aww that is a so nice that she kept it for so long :D
1 person likes this
@topffer (42156)
• France
21 Jan 16
@gudheart I would never have expected such a success for a small gift.
1 person likes this
• Yogyakarta, Indonesia
22 Jan 16
i usually prefer gift, it make my gft is good impression for your friends
2 people like this
@JudyEv (338661)
• Rockingham, Australia
21 Jan 16
I read below your niece is two so she won't be too fussed about how big or little a present is. Maybe you could buy a small gift and put the leftover money in an account for her.
4 people like this
@gudheart (12659)
23 Jan 16
She really enjoys opening presents so I decided to get her gifts instead!
1 person likes this
@kaka135 (14931)
• Malaysia
21 Jan 16
Though I think money is more practical, and we can spend what we want to, I still prefer receiving a gift. How about buying them books? I always like to buy books to others nowadays.
3 people like this
@patgalca (18355)
• Orangeville, Ontario
22 Jan 16
I agree with this too. It is a gift that teaches and supports literacy.
2 people like this
@kaka135 (14931)
• Malaysia
22 Jan 16
@patgalca Besides that, another reason I like about books is that we can always share with others and also pass down to our next generations.
1 person likes this
@gudheart (12659)
23 Jan 16
I much prefer getting money too. I got her a little book and some other gifts too.
@mammots (3209)
• Philippines
21 Jan 16
Kids love to receive toys for their birthdays. I tried once letting my grand nephew choose a gift for himself on ebay. We both had a great time. Cash gifts are also nice but i think it would be good if you be the one to open an account for them and give the bank book on their 18th birthday or wedding day.
3 people like this
@gudheart (12659)
23 Jan 16
That is the best part of their bdays I think!
@LadyDuck (470779)
• Switzerland
21 Jan 16
For the moment I would only buy gifts, this is more personal and show them how much you love them.
3 people like this
@gudheart (12659)
23 Jan 16
True, it can be more personal :D
1 person likes this
@carexing25 (1822)
• Philippines
22 Jan 16
i only give money when i out of time
2 people like this
@dpk262006 (58676)
• Delhi, India
22 Jan 16
When you are out of time?
@dpk262006 (58676)
• Delhi, India
22 Jan 16
@carexing25 - Does not matter if you have a habit of typing in your sleep...........when it happens that you run short of time and you just cannot go to market to buy a gift?
• Philippines
22 Jan 16
@dpk262006 sorry, I'm very sleepy while typing this comment.. haha! what i mean is when i don't have time to buy a token as a gift..
2 people like this
@scheng1 (24649)
• Singapore
21 Jan 16
In this case, buy a coin bank, and put in a few coins inside. That will achieve both purposes. When there are some coins in the coin bank, they will shake it often to listen to the sound of coins hitting the side of coin bank.
2 people like this
@gudheart (12659)
23 Jan 16
I did not think of that, sounds like a good idea:D
@gudheart (12659)
23 Jan 16
@Elizaby My nephew is really into collecting shiny coins at the moment so I should have got him that.
1 person likes this
@Elizaby (6902)
• Pensacola, Florida
21 Jan 16
this is a very good idea as there are many kinds of inexpensive banks so you could get the bank and put a few coins in and then if your budget allows put a few dollars into their saving account.
1 person likes this
@rosekiss (30414)
• Eugene, Oregon
21 Jan 16
I would prefer money, as then I can buy what I want that way.With this economy, money is much more needed anyway. Since I am senior citizen, what I get from my family are cards they make themselves. That means more to me than anything, as to me they are priceless.
1 person likes this
@rosekiss (30414)
• Eugene, Oregon
24 Jan 16
@gudheart I would rather have the money, so I can buy what I want, or keep the money for something that I really need.
@gudheart (12659)
23 Jan 16
I am the same. I would appreciate money much more now that I know the value of it,
1 person likes this
• United States
21 Jan 16
I don't get gifts at my age! I am not good at giving advice on this, sorry.
2 people like this
• United States
23 Jan 16
@gudheart No, I can buy what I want, any day all year.
@gudheart (12659)
23 Jan 16
Oh that is a shame! I bet you miss getting gifts?
1 person likes this
@amnabas (13742)
• Karachi, Pakistan
21 Jan 16
In my opinion gift is more worthy and appealing too.
2 people like this
@gudheart (12659)
23 Jan 16
I think you are right. For me personally though I would prefer to be given money as then I can spend it on what I want.
@softbabe44 (5816)
• Vancouver, Washington
22 Jan 16
I don't know if its the thing to do is I would keep the same thing every year I put 10 dollars in a card and call it good.
1 person likes this
@gudheart (12659)
23 Jan 16
My parents give them money each year too. My niece calls it paper!!
1 person likes this
• Vancouver, Washington
24 Jan 16
@gudheart That's a very positive note
@Inlemay (17713)
• South Africa
21 Jan 16
I love friends - that is always my birthday wish - but I dont like useless gifts - so a voucher is always a good thing to get me or something for my garden - I dont like getting personal stuff from others
2 people like this
@gudheart (12659)
23 Jan 16
I also like vouchers :D
1 person likes this
@garymarsh6 (23404)
• United Kingdom
22 Jan 16
I think as they are very young they will derive more pleasure from a toy. Once they are older and you are in more of a position to give money do that. Don't beat yourself up trying to do too much which is only going to leave you with difficulties. Only give what you can afford.
1 person likes this
@gudheart (12659)
23 Jan 16
Wise words. I always go over the top for their birthdays and end up spending too much. They only find entertainment with their new toys for a few hours too!
1 person likes this
@garymarsh6 (23404)
• United Kingdom
23 Jan 16
@gudheart very young kids prefer playing with the wrapping paper than the toy it is covering! LOL That's a bit shattering isn't it.
• Canada
22 Jan 16
I actually prefer money because half the time I don't know what I want as a gift. So when people ask me what I would like, I never know what to say..so I just will say a card with money or a gift card. So that way whenever I figure out what I'd like, I can just use either of those two things!
2 people like this
@gudheart (12659)
23 Jan 16
I am the same, I find it hard explaining to others what I want.
• United States
23 Jan 16
yes that it for sure
@youless (112481)
• Guangzhou, China
22 Jan 16
Since your niece is just two years old, I think a nice toy will be the best gift for her birthday. She doesn't know much about the money yet.
1 person likes this
@gudheart (12659)
23 Jan 16
I was thinking that too :D
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (165954)
• Boise, Idaho
21 Jan 16
If I don't know the person I give them money. If I know them and know what they might like I will buy a gift. I prefer money also.
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (165954)
• Boise, Idaho
25 Jan 16
@gudheart .....A lot of people do.
1 person likes this
@gudheart (12659)
23 Jan 16
I find it easier giving money!!
1 person likes this
@wiLLmaH (8802)
• Singapore, Singapore
22 Jan 16
On my niece and nephews bday, I do not give toys. I rather give clothes or money. Then the money was kept by their mom and deposits to o their respective bank accounts.
1 person likes this
@gudheart (12659)
23 Jan 16
I think I will give money when they are a little older.
1 person likes this
@mom210 (9117)
• United States
21 Jan 16
If she is very young I think a toy is the way to go. You can find some cheap ones. Little kids really like to open things though.
1 person likes this
@gudheart (12659)
23 Jan 16
I find it hard to find cheap toys :( Especially as my nephew wants spiderman everything which are always expensive.
1 person likes this
@mom210 (9117)
• United States
25 Jan 16
@gudheart it does take a lot of leg work sometimes that is for sure.
@KristenH (33377)
• Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio
21 Jan 16
I prefer both, even for the holidays. Gift cards are also a good gift to give, too.
1 person likes this
@gudheart (12659)
23 Jan 16
I like receiving gift cards and vouchers :D
1 person likes this
@KristenH (33377)
• Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio
23 Jan 16
@gudheart Me too. I never had a voucher before.
@JennyDza (40)
• India
22 Jan 16
I prefer giving gift vouchers so that they can buy whatever they like....
1 person likes this
@gudheart (12659)
23 Jan 16
I like giving money and vouchers too to friends and family.