Each of my kids got a stocking and 4 gifts for Christmas. But they can't have free reign over their gifts until their rooms are clean... Still not that motivated to clean their rooms. Maybe by next Christmas?
@khird
The gifts are still theirs, but yes, there's conditions... Like needing a license to drive a gifted car... Or at least clearing out the clutter blocking your drive way in order to park in it.
@khird
I think it's less life payment for services (and I don't buy Christmas presents every time I expect them to clean their rooms), and the more basic, brush your teeth before you at go to the park. Going to the park isn't payment for services of teeth brushing. I'm giving the gift of basic life skills in addition to the gifts. So they really all get 5 instead of 4. :)
@SecondJon
I'm inclined to think that takes them out of the category of "gift" and makes them more akin to "payment for services rendered." Not that there's anything wrong with that in general - my 25c/day allowance as a child was conditioned on doing my chores - but it seems out of step with the "spirit of giving" we usually associate with the holiday.