Few things make our society quite as uncomfortable as money. Traditional etiquette holds that it’s impolite to talk about money, from how much you make to how much you pay in rent. And while bragging about taking your private jet to your private island will likely remain somewhat gauche, some more openness around money can be a good thing.
Case in point: Giving money as a gift has historically been frowned upon in American culture … despite the fact that, deep down, we all just want money. One study published in the Journal of Experimental Social Psychology even found that recipients appreciated money even more than gifts they specifically requested.
In fact, several cultures have long-standing traditions around gifting money. Giving children red envelopes filled with coins and money for Lunar New Year is customary in Chinese culture. Money is also a popular bar- and bat-mitzvah gift, especially in multiples of 18 — the number symbolizes “chai,” or life, in Hebrew, and is thought to bring the recipient a long, lucky life.
Newlyweds often also receive monetary gifts from their guests, whether in the traditional money dances found in Polish, Nigerian, and Greek cultures or in more modern honeymoon funds. Money’s popularity as a wedding gift is only continuing to grow, with one 2023 survey of engaged couples finding that more than 80 percent planned to create money registries for their wedding.
The reason why money makes such a great gift is simple: No matter how much we hem and haw about it, being able to buy yourself what you really want is always easier than making a wish list and hoping the gift giver follows it. Anyone who’s gotten yet another pair of socks instead of the gift they actually wanted can attest to that. Plus, gifted money just feels different from money you’ve earned. You might think twice about treating yourself to an $8 peppermint mocha unless you have some bonus money from your aunt burning a hole in your pocket (er, bank account).
Maybe it’s capitalism talking, but it’s time to drop the taboo around giving people money. If your goal is to give your loved ones what they actually want, send the gift of money with Zelle® this holiday season. With Zelle®, money goes directly into your bank account, so the recipient won’t have to make a special trip to the bank to deposit a check. Forget what the etiquette guides might have to say about it — isn’t it more important to give a gift they’ll actually want?
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