I think I learned money matters, investing and such from more than one source. My dad was an accountant so that has some bearing on my financial dealings I am sure.
My parents encouraged me, and even helped, to open an investment account when I was young, and while I don't have that account any longer, it definitely taught me that investing (and saving) are worthwhile.
My grandparents gave me savings bonds for gifts for many years, some still have not matured completely.
It sounds like you've had a solid grounding and have made some good moves based on either instruction or observation. I'm a big fan of gifting something that appreciates in value and with my nephew and niece will gift precious metals which helps in the future and also provides some motivation to buy their own maybe. I see this as a better option than toys, although maybe not as fun. For now it's a mixture of both but as they get older it will lean towards the silver.
Yeah, when I was young, not getting something to play with was kind of a bummer, but I got things from other people so it was fine. And as I got older I got excited to get them knowing they would be worth actual money someday.
Just makes sense to have a little forethought in life I think...Living from hand to mouth isn't my idea of fun.