Hmm... 🤔 Thanks for this insight, @Simagent8. This is what I was fearing. That means that how coffee tables work has been changed in the Complete Collection edition of The Sims. Specifically, the slot number has been changed on the tables.

Can the kids also not bring in the bills and put them on the coffee table, or is this something that only happens with the magazines?

Now that I tested, the kid puts the bills also on the ground after trying to put them on the sofa table, failing to do so. It could be something has changed with the Complete Collection, as you pointed out. At least there is no more the missing animation.

(In my game whatsoever, I have included just a couple of little mods. The Ice Cream mod (that kids could buy ice cream) and a mod to allow flora intersection (bushes/trees on flowers) + official downloadable content /The Sims Online content not included in Complete Collection.) - I guess they don't conflict here.

I'll have a look at the Complete Collection edition files, and have a look at what they've changed. I'm pretty sure I can whip up a version for the Complete Collection edition as well.