If I could, I would. Travel is an amazing experience.

I’m a big believer in gifting experiences over things to my kids. If we could afford it I would. Most people have a narrow window when they can travel with the constraints of a job, considering a spouse, the responsibility of kids.

Plus, $1k is a lot of money for a birthday gift. But it wont buy a lavish trip. You clearly aren’t sending him to backpack through Europe for a month or see the Great Wall of China or snorkel the Barrier Reef on that. I just bought my kid’s plane ticket for a semester long study abroad on the other side of the world. $2600- for basic economy.

The caveat: I would not spend the money for a spring break fraternity booze fest in Cancun. I accept my college kids are adults and I can’t stop this type of trip. But, I’m not paying for it either.

Anonymous wrote:DH suggested we gift money for a trip that our DS wanted to take for a long time. It's about 1K. Is it too much of a gift? Would you give that much to your adult child?

Yes I would. We have paid for airline and hotels via gifted $ for DC's and their significant others. It's no strings- not like some who only pay if the parent or inlaw joins the junket.

I would give $500 and let them save up for the rest.

Has DS been saving for said trip? I wouldn't give him all the money for it. I'd give maybe half.

IDK, not a big deal either way. But I wouldn't give it earmarked for a trip, a vacation. I would if it were visiting a far-away sibling or family. I pay for that all the time.But a vacation he can't otherwise afford, a spurge, no. I generally try not to provide a lifestyle which they are not on-track to provide for themselves.

DH suggested we gift money for a trip that our DS wanted to take for a long time. It's about 1K. Is it too much of a gift? Would you give that much to your adult child?