PenPenWrites

Young adult kids and teen-plus grandkids are well beyond the Toys for Xmas stage. The Holidays and birthdays bring more of a gift challenge. Could we possibly pick out a sweater or shirt that would be appropriate in their world? A tech device they don't have or we could afford? A book they would read? Probably not.

Fear not. There is a gift that is useful, always the right size and never needs to be returned.  Cash. But there is a down side: Whether we're writing a check, handing out paper currency or sending the money via Zelle, a gift of cash can seem cold and impersonal.

Which brings up the question, are there ways to warm it up? With some suggestions/discussions I saw online, I found one that worked for me and– bonus points–made it oh-so-easy for my Grands to say Thank You with immediacy.

Here's what I did. I sent each of my college-age Grands a text that started with some doggerel, "Your Holiday present is coming by Zelle/I think you'll find that works out well." Then I personalized each text with an upbeat rhyme or two for how they could use the gift–no strings attached, of course. I tapped send, opened my bank account's app and Zelled each one their gift. They no sooner got the text and the Zelle notice than a return text came back with a Thank You, heart emojis and a loving comment.

Bottom line: Gift sent, thank you received, don't have to think about it anymore.

Did any of you go the cash or gift card route this year? Did you find ways to make it look like the loving gift it was? Comment below with anything you're willing to share.

Credit: Louisiane Saint Fleurant