Tracy Koroma answered
First of all, don’t worry about sounding rude. Parents and relatives might actually be relieved if you ask for money instead of gifts!
How Do I Ask For Money Instead Of Gifts?
If I were you, I’d say that I was saving up for something like a computer or a car. If you make it sound as if you need the money for something useful, it’s much less offensive than saying “I want the money because I don’t trust you to buy me something I’d like.”
Explain that you don’t have a job, you’re living on cornflakes, and you’d much rather have the money than receive another expensive but tasteless crystal ornament.
Will I Sound Rude If I Ask For Money Instead Of A Present?
I doubt it – not if you’re asking a parent or close relative. You'll only sound rude if you ask for money from someone who doesn't have to buy you anything.
As a general rule, if you'd say "oh, you shouldn't have!" to the person buying you a present, you shouldn't ask them for money.
As a mother of four teenagers, I can tell you it gets harder to buy gifts for your kids as they get older. Your parents might actually be relieved if you ask them for money instead of a gift.
The things that five-year-olds want are usually cheap and easy to come across – but if you try buying a present for a fifteen-year-old, that’s another different kettle of fish entirely!
Teenagers tend to want expensive electronic stuff, and this kind of thing can be really quite specialist.
I looked into getting my son a stereo system for his twentieth birthday, but I didn’t understand any of it – far too technical for me! I gave him the money instead and he put it towards the one he wanted, which worked out best for both of us.
How Do I Ask For Money Instead Of Gifts?
If I were you, I’d say that I was saving up for something like a computer or a car. If you make it sound as if you need the money for something useful, it’s much less offensive than saying “I want the money because I don’t trust you to buy me something I’d like.”
Explain that you don’t have a job, you’re living on cornflakes, and you’d much rather have the money than receive another expensive but tasteless crystal ornament.
Will I Sound Rude If I Ask For Money Instead Of A Present?
I doubt it – not if you’re asking a parent or close relative. You'll only sound rude if you ask for money from someone who doesn't have to buy you anything.
As a general rule, if you'd say "oh, you shouldn't have!" to the person buying you a present, you shouldn't ask them for money.
As a mother of four teenagers, I can tell you it gets harder to buy gifts for your kids as they get older. Your parents might actually be relieved if you ask them for money instead of a gift.
The things that five-year-olds want are usually cheap and easy to come across – but if you try buying a present for a fifteen-year-old, that’s another different kettle of fish entirely!
Teenagers tend to want expensive electronic stuff, and this kind of thing can be really quite specialist.
I looked into getting my son a stereo system for his twentieth birthday, but I didn’t understand any of it – far too technical for me! I gave him the money instead and he put it towards the one he wanted, which worked out best for both of us.
