Cash is King

An amazing sustainable gift.

I recently learned that some people view giving cash gifts as effortless and lazy. What the heck?!? I'm confused.

I get it, sending an e-transfer takes a few minutes, and putting money in an envelope isn't doing any heavy lifting. But it does take time and hard work to make that coin. Doesn't that effort count?

Personally, I haven't met a single person who hasn't appreciated a cash tip. Nor have I met anyone who has put money in the garbage because they didn't want it. Times are hard, people have large grocery bills, kids to put through school, mortgages to pay, and bidets to buy. What do all these things have in common? They all need money.

Of course, money isn't everything, but it sure makes life less difficult and comfier.

Here are the top 10 reasons why cash is king and an amazing sustainable gift.

1. People love the gifts they get for themselves, making them more likely to use it for a long time.

2. Money doesn’t take up space. Now, if you are getting suitcases and bags full of cash in a dark alley, that's a different story.

3. There is no pressure to keep physical objects just to appease others. That's not a good feeling.

4. It gives people agency and autotomy to do what is best for them.

5. If you are gifting an object to someone who has everything, they probably have enough stuff. Overconsumption in the world’s richest countries is wreaking havoc on the planet and destroying children’s environments globally.

6. Physical gifts require maintenance and a disposal plan. Who needs more work?

7. Cash can be easily divided, donated, regifted and invested.

8. Unlike gift cards, there aren't restrictions to shop in one store. This way, people can put money towards the things or experiences that they need.

9. Gift cards aren't so innocent, they have an environmental impact. The plastic used to make them, usually PVC, are very hard to recycle and they aren't accepted by most recycling systems.

10. Everyone will look forward to receiving your gift.

Of course, money is just one gift option among many others. Being a trustworthy companion, sharing knowledge and wisdom, lending a hand, being present, respecting peoples' boundaries, or just offering a good meal are wonderful ways to give.

No matter what you prefer or decide to give, the best gifts are the ones that come in an envelope. Opps, I mean, from the heart. ;)

References

1. United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (2022, May 24). Places and Spaces, Environments and children's well-being. Unicef Office of Research-Innocenti. Retrieved May 29, 2023, from https://www.unicef-irc.org/places-and-spaces

2. Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (2019, December 19). The gift-card conundrum: Convenience with an environmental cost. CBC. Retrieved May 29, 2023, from https://www.cbc.ca/news/science/what-on-earth-newsletter-gift-card-holidays-1.5402807

3. Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (2020, October 10). Hidden cameras and secret trackers reveal where Amazon returns end up. CBC. Retrieved May 29, 2023, from https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/marketplace-amazon-returns-1.5753714