Does anyone else give vassals resources when at cap?

I don't play on high difficultys yet cuz I'm still new which results in more often than not getting at least 1 or 2 vassals. Usually they are always inferior or pathetic in all categories so if I'm caped out in the mid or early game (especially if my economy is doing well in all categories) I'll send them trade requests which is just resources for free or for artifacts(I basically always go for that tradition bc it's fun) to try and help them grow and was wondering if this is common place