A 2019 survey by Mint on holiday gift-giving found that 61 percent of Americans preferred to receive cash over other presents, but only 19 percent said they were willing give cash as a present. Perhaps they didn’t know about these creative, digital ways of giving money that don’t involve cash. “Being creative with your gift can elevate it to a level of significance that has lasting and loving connectivity,” says Gift Card Granny CEO Jason Wolfe. Plus, sending someone a gift card digitally prevents them from losing it. You can find also gift cards on Rakuten, which allows you to earn cash back on the cards you buy. Fractional shares in companies like Apple and Tesla, available for as little as $1 per share, is a great gift for someone who is young and wants to start investing. It’s truly something they can put toward their future. Alternatively, consider gifting a subscription to The Financial Gym, a platform where your loved one can talk to a personal finance “trainer”. This program helps members learn about and organize their money to better achieve goals such as paying down debt, investing, or saving for the future. Other options include paying for a dinner out, suggests Woroch, or having the restaurant send champagne or dessert to your loved one’s table (depending on your budget). Paying for an experience that your loved ones wouldn’t usually get for themselves makes a memorable gift.
