Cash or Gift: Here’s What Illinoisans Prefer at Christmastime

I remember getting in trouble when I was a kid because instead of reading the Christmas card that I got from my great-aunt, I just shook it to make the cash fall out (Aunt Judy was a very generous great aunt, with a large pile of cash).

What did that bit of scolding from mom and dad teach me? It taught me to take a minute to pretend to read the card before shaking out the money. It also taught me that cash really is a one-size-fits-all type of present, especially when you don't know what sort of gift to buy a certain person on your list. But, is cash better than a wrapped gift?

Every December, that same question comes up around dinner tables and in family group texts. "Should we do cash this year instead of traditional gifts?" It’s the question of convenience vs. sentimentality, or practicality vs. tradition, and for many of us in Illinois, it’s a real holiday conundrum every year.

While there aren’t state-specific figures on the cash vs. physical gift debate, there have been recent national surveys that paint a fairly clear picture of how Americans are handling the question this holiday season, and Illinoisans probably aren’t all that different.

Here's How Most People Feel About The Cash Vs. Gifts Debate In 2025

According to a Wells Fargo gifting survey released earlier this month, many adults still love receiving physical gifts, but cold, hard cash is definitely on the wish list too. Nearly half of respondents said they prefer to receive cash or checks, and substantial shares also favor gift cards and traditional presents.

Digging a little deeper, it's our younger generations that are driving the shift toward cash and digital money. In the same Wells Fargo survey, Gen Z and Millennials are significantly more likely to prefer money, like digital payments through services like Zelle, Venmo, or PayPal, than older Gen Xers and Boomers.

That lines up with other findings that roughly half of all holiday shoppers wish they could swap their gifts for the equivalent cash, and many would use that money to pay bills, save, or treat themselves.

What Does All This Mean For Illinois Gift/Cash Givers This Holiday Season?

Here are some takeaways from the survey:

• Cash and gift cards are mainstream now. Whether it’s a $50 bill tucked into a card or a Zelle payment with a heartfelt message, people appreciate the flexibility.

• Gift traditions are evolving generationally. Younger adults are more upfront about preferring cash and digital gifts, while older family members might still lean toward the wrapped box under the tree.

• Practicality is king. With rising costs and many families budgeting carefully, cash lets the recipient decide what’s most useful, especially if they’re saving for travel, paying bills, or experiences.

• You can mix and match. Physical gifts still matter particularly for kids and for sentimental family traditions, but pairing a smaller physical gift with cash or a card will probably hit the sweet spot for those on your list this year.

This guy's got some good ideas for you cash-givers out there: