Cash makes festive presence for tweens
CASHED- up tweens are ready for a spending spree thanks to a growing trend for children to receive cash for Christmas.
Children are increasingly asking for cash to spend as they please or to help them save for big- ticket items like computers.
Experts said it could help teach older children the value of money but warned gift- givers could see it as against the spirit of the season.
Darwinite Ailish Tilbrook, 13, said she preferred to get money for Christmas.
‘‘It’s better, because then you can buy what you want,’’ she said.
‘‘If you get a present, sometimes it’s not the right thing.’’
Her brother Flynn, 11, and cousin Catherine, 10, agreed.
‘‘I want money for Christmas so I can go shopping,’’ Flynn said.
Early Life Foundations ed- ucation consultant Kathy Walker said if cash-giving was well managed it could be a teaching tool.
‘‘Twelve, 13 or 14 I think it can be managed well, it could be about saving for things, making choices, developing independence, but under that age it’s not appropriate.’’