[lotsofpulp]

> Alternative approach: get the adult versions.

My preferred alternative is cash. Always cash for gifts. It’s better for the environment, and it’s better for the recipient. Either you’re close to the person you’re giving a gift to and know what kind of utility they will get from a gift so it’s not wasted, or just simple cash.

[war1025]

A reason I basically just don't give gifts is that if I prefer to receive cash, and you prefer to receive cash, then what the hell is the point of it anyway?

I remember when I was little, probably early elementary, my brother gave me $5 for Christmas. I thought that was really swell of him, so I went to my room and got him $5. In the end, what was the point of it? It didn't mean anything.

I give gifts when there is something I'm excited about giving. Otherwise, I just don't bother.

[crazygringo]

Ha!

Well, generally, it's adults (who have cash) who give children (who don't have cash) the cash.

I've never heard of siblings giving each other cash, that's really funny. :) I mean in my family, us siblings never exchanged gifts at all until we were adults with our own income. Gifts were always from adults to kids, not kids to kids.

But when I was a kid my aunts and uncles obviously didn't have a clue what I was into or wanted. Cash would be wonderful -- the whole experience of figuring out how much, what my options were, going to the store, picking something out, having it be linked to not just one but multiple family members...

Cash as a gift, for kids, is honestly pretty great. A million times better than the usual itchy sweater and socks from grandma that I could never wear, unfortunately.

[thaumasiotes]

> A reason I basically just don't give gifts is that if I prefer to receive cash, and you prefer to receive cash, then what the hell is the point of it anyway?

> I remember when I was little, probably early elementary, my brother gave me $5 for Christmas. I thought that was really swell of him, so I went to my room and got him $5. In the end, what was the point of it? It didn't mean anything.

This is solved by asymmetrical giving. The structure of Christmas, where everyone gives a gift to everyone else, is wrong. Compare Chinese New Year, where adults give money to children, or a Chinese wedding, where everyone else gives money to the bride and groom.