So it’s official – our baby has turned 21, and we now have two bona fide, genuine, dinky di, grown up kids.
Which brings me to my current question: what do you do about Christmas presents for adult children?
We’ve previously wondered if our kids were too old for Easter eggs, and ended up deciding that a little treat is still a good idea (even if Mr 23 pooh-poohs it and says he’d rather have the money, what’s $5 really in the scheme of things?).
But what about Christmas? Do you give your adult kids a little, or a lot? How much do you spend per child? One big present, or lots of silly little things? Is cash or a gift card a better idea?
The Case Against Christmas Gifts for Grown Kids
We are leaning towards the idea of giving our kids cash or gift cards for Christmas (and birthdays too) now that they are all grown up. It just makes more sense (cents!) for a number of reasons:
- Every year that goes by, it gets harder and harder to work out exactly what our kidults would like to receive.
- And with them both working and earning their own money, if they really want something, they are likely to buy it themselves anyway – and long before Christmas!
- Just because *I* like something, doesn’t necessarily mean that *they* will (or that it will fit, or … ) .
- It’s further complicated as we don’t know what they may already have, particularly in the case of Miss 21 who has left the nest.
- I don’t want to waste money on something that they don’t really want, love, or need, only for it to sit in a cupboard for a year or two before eventually being donated to the op shop … so cash, or a gift voucher, seems like a darned good idea to me. I know that when I was their age, I personally loved (needed!) the money …
- Not to mention the fact that I hate all the Christmas hype and pressure to spend, spend, and spend some more!
- It takes a lot of time and energy to source, buy and wrap all those presents!
The Case For Christmas Gifts …
But am I just trying to justify the fact that I am a bit lazy and slack when it comes to Christmas?!
I can’t help thinking it would be sad not to have SOMETHING to open up on Christmas Day. In the case of Miss 21, I’m sure she will be spoiled by her boyfriend, but what about Mr 23 who is single?
And how bare would the tree look, without lots of pressies underneath?
It’s a dilemma to be sure, which is why I’m seeking your advice and experiences …
Do you do Christmas presents for your adult children?