I would give cash or a gift card to a teenager who I know has preferences/wishes that I will barely understand. But for a working adult I would prefer to give

I would give cash or a gift card to a teenager who I know has preferences/wishes that I will barely understand. But for a working adult I would prefer to give nothing or just write a thoughtful letter. The act of gifting money to an adult even in close family to me would come across as condescending. It would imply that I feel they are somehow unable to take care of themselves.