Cash-Filled Envelopes Will Be Under Christmas Trees Again This Year. Nearly Half of Czechs Plan to Give Money as a Gift

Prague, 12 November 2026 – An envelope filled with banknotes is as much a part of Christmas gift-giving as socks. And this year will be no exception. According to an Instant Research survey conducted by Ipsos for the Financial Market Guarantee System, 45% of respondents plan to give money as a Christmas gift. Among those planning to give a financial gift, 67% intend to give cash, for example in an envelope. Although money can now easily be transferred to a savings account, the traditional way of giving it still prevails.

However, giving money at Christmas is generally not a matter of being unwilling to come up with gift ideas. Eight out of ten people planning to give a financial gift choose this option so that the recipient can decide for themselves what they need or want. Only 13% of gift-givers say they choose money because it is easier than looking for a physical gift.

Cash Envelopes Are Particularly Popular Among Older Generations

The popularity of cash varies significantly depending on the age of the gift-giver. Among people aged 54–65 who plan to give a financial gift, 86% intend to give cash. In the 36–44 age group, the figure is only 49%. Other planned forms of financial gifts include gift vouchers, mentioned by 24% of gift-givers, and transfers to current accounts (13%). Transfers to savings accounts and contributions to building savings schemes are each planned by just 3% of gift-givers.

The most common recipients of financial gifts are the gift-givers’ own children, with 48% planning to give them money. However, money also flows in the opposite direction between generations: a quarter of respondents intend to give a financial gift to their parents.

Savings Are Protected

If the recipient does not spend the money immediately, they can put it aside in a savings account or a building savings scheme, for example. Deposits held with banks, building savings banks and cooperative credit unions are protected by law, generally up to the equivalent of EUR 100,000 per depositor per institution. Deposit insurance applies automatically and does not need to be arranged or paid for.

“If parents or grandparents want to give children money that they will use when they reach adulthood, they can, for example, open a building savings account, a savings account or a term deposit for them. These savings are protected by law up to the equivalent of EUR 100,000, or approximately CZK 2.5 million. It is important to know whose name the account is held in. If the child is the account holder, they have their own deposit insurance limit, even if their parents or grandparents have additional savings with the same bank. However, if the account is held in the name of a parent or grandparent, all deposits held by that customer with the same institution, including interest, count towards the limit,” explains Renáta Kadlecová, Executive Director of the Financial Market Guarantee System.

About the Survey:

The survey was conducted via Ipsos's Instant Research platform among a sample of 500 respondents. Data collection was completed on 27 October 2026. For questions concerning planned forms of financial gifts, their recipients and motivations for giving them, the figures represent the proportion of respondents who intend to give a financial gift. Respondents could select multiple answers.

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