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MANILA, Philippines — Most Filipino adults prefer to receive cash gifts this Christmas, but a big majority of young people prefer gifts in kind, according to a text and online survey last month by Catholic Church-run Radio Veritas.
The poll conducted among 1,200 respondents found that three out of five or 58 percent of those between 13 and 20 years old said they wanted the gifts for them to be in kind, as against 17 percent who preferred cash gifts and 8 percent who were undecided.
Among respondents between 21 and 39 years old, 53 percent opted for cash gifts and 25 percent, gifts in kind.
As for adults ages 40 to 60, an equal 35 percent chose cash gifts and gifts in kind, while 27 percent said it did not matter what kind of gifts they got and 3 percent were undecided.
Among the elderly (61 and above), 34 percent chose cash gifts, 31 percent said they wanted their gifts in kind, 23 percent were fine with either and 12 percent were undecided.
‘Ideal gifts’
Bro. Clifford Sorita, who headed the survey, said: “A perfect gift is the one the recipient really wants, enjoys and appreciates, and possibly would not buy for him or herself. Ideal gifts are those that are still treasured after many years.”
In general, the survey found that 38 percent preferred gifts in cash; 32 percent, in kind; 22 percent said it didn’t matter; and 8 percent were undecided.
When the respondents were grouped by gender, 39 percent of women and 37 percent of men said they preferred cash gifts, while 33 percent of women and 32 percent of men said they wanted their gifts in kind.
Furthermore, 18 percent of women and 27 percent of men said it did not matter what kind of gift they got, while 10 percent of women and 4 percent of men were undecided.
‘How much love’
The radio station said the respondents were randomly selected from its text-based and online data gathered from past in-person interviews.
“Though there is a clear choice from the respondents, still the best interest of the receiver must dictate the kind of gift we are to give,” said Fr. Anton Pascual, Radio Veritas president.
He quoted Mother Teresa as saying, “It’s not how much we give but how much love we put into giving.”
“In the end, the amount of thoughtfulness and love that we put in choosing either gift [in kind] or cash would reveal the true value of the gift we are to give,” he added.