Christmas Wrapped

When I was a kid, I could count on the same birthday and Hanukkah gift from my long-distance grandmother: a check for $35 tucked inside a greeting card. Every year I got excited about the new treasure I could buy, or the boost her contribution would give to my tiny savings account.

I’m not sure why gifts of money get such a bad rap — they’re written off as impersonal; tacky, even. But, for school-age kids to young adults, there’s nothing simpler or more practical. Think of it as a universal gift card, redeemable anywhere, including the bank.

I’ve decided to adopt the same tradition for my nieces and nephews. Everyone’s getting checks from now on. No more haphazardly chosen toys they don’t need. No more wasteful shipping and packaging. And (bonus!) no more last-minute shopping.

Which is not to say gifts of money have to be 100% utilitarian. With a little extra effort, you can turn your cash gift into something more memorable:

Think homemade. If you’re crafty, the world’s your oyster, but even if you’re not, you’ve got plenty of options. A little knitted ornament? A handmade card or box? An “envelope” stitched from a fabric scrap? A small tin of cookies? A few homemade gift labels?

Think humorous. My mother-in-law and I have come up with the silly tradition of giving each other cards that feature ridiculous dog pictures. Heather suggests including a list of crazy ideas for what the money could be used for. What about a hand-lettered collection of your favorite holiday jokes? Or: an annual pair of tacky holiday-themed socks.

Think personal. Include a few photos from shared special occasions to remind the giftee of good times spent together.

Think educational. Tuck the check inside the front cover of a book that teaches basic money management. For kids, consider Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace, Jr.: Teaching Kids About Money!. For young adults, try Please Send Money: A Financial Survival Guide for Young Adults on Their Own by Dara Duguay.

How do you add a personal touch to your gifts of money?