"Gift" cards ARE NOT "gifts"?

[Papa Deuce]

agree or disagree?

http://moneycentral.msn.com/content/Savinganddebt/Finddealsonline/P133902.asp

I tend to agree, actually. I would never buy one for someone unless I totally had no idea what they would enjoy that they didn't already have.

 

[sunkissed212]

Well, I agree and disagree at the same time. I give gift cards often...but that doesn't mean that I don't "think" about people when I'm buying gifts. For those that are close to me, I usually don't have any problems buying gifts that I know they will like. However, when it comes to co-workers, extended family, etc. I think gift cards are very appropriate. I'd much rather get a gift card from someone than something that I already have. With stores stiffening up their return policies, a lot of places won't let you return something without a receipt anymore...not even for store credit (target is a good example). I don't need 2 or 3 copies of Austin Powers so I'd rather someone get me a gift card than another copy of a dvd I already have that I won't be able to return anyway, right?

I'll be honest here too.....all 5 of my neices and nephews are getting gift cards this year...doesn't mean I don't love them as much as I did when they were younger but I know for a fact they'd rather take those gift cards to their respective store and buy whatever they want, than to have gotten something that they may not like as much as I had thought/hoped they would.

 

[belle_of_the_ball]

i disagree.....its like giving money to a person only in the form of a card with a little cute something of the front. You can do anything to giftcards to make them look cute..like putting it on a box of candy.

if you spent money on it, or you are giving it to some one...its a gift!

 

[we3disneygo]

I am getting dd11 1/2 some gift cards for Christmas , it's easier than picking out something she won't wear and doesn't like .......she is going to have a blast shopping !!

 

[Pamlur]

My grandchildren LOVE giftcards, and so does my daughter. My SIL isn't as fond of them, until the time comes to use it. Then he loves it, too.

Giftcards to book stores are among our favorites, because when that next "gotta have it!" book comes along, the money to pay for it is right there on the little card.

 

[OhMari]

You have daughters, don't you. Just wait until they are teenagers, they will love them. My youngest dd, just pointed out a really ugly sweater in Shopko and she told me, "bet grandma gets me that sweater for Christmas". She asked me why grandma don't get smart and just give her a gift card. But my mil feels each grandchild needs to open something from her at Christmas. My dd usually ends up taking it back, and last year she gave it right to goodwill.

 

[Papa Deuce]

Oh, I don't disagree that "some" people would prefer getting them. But I'm talking about what you think after reading the story.

ETA: I ask my wife to not get me cards, and she asks me to get her gift acrds to Avenue, DSW, and Ulta...

 

[Pam]

OhMari!

Our family loves to give and get gift cards! My Dad used to despise gift certificates of any kind - felt embarrasssed reedeming them -- and then a Cabela's opened up about 1.5 hours from here -- now he loves to get gift cards! And he's become a fan of restaurant GCs, too, since he retired!

 

[teacherforhi]

I love to cross stitch; that isn't a secret. However, there have been years when I've gotten a ton of supplies that I have no use for...embroidery hoops, really ugly patterns, etc. By giving me a gift card to a craft store, I'd like to think it shows that people do know me and want me to get something I would actually use.

 

[bigbabyblues]

I've never bought a gift card for anyone, and I only received one once, when my 2nd baby was born. I probably wouldn't get them for my DH though, unless he specifically asked for one. DH grandma is getting them for the teenagers this year, each to their favorite clothing stores, as she would have a really hard time picking things they would like at all.

 

[Mysteria]

I disagree. I think gift cards are just fine in a lot of situations. I think Miss Manners needs to update her thinking. The examples she gave are laughable.

"Think about it. Would a lover, in the flush of romance, lean close to the object of his affection and present … a gift card?"

No he wouldn't. Nor would he lean in and present a toaster but that's a "real" gift. lol

You can put thought into a gift card. I get my nephew's Best Buy cards for example but that's not what I would get my mother for a gift card. You can also put time and effort into the way it is presented. That's my .02 for what it's worth.

Myst

 

[Twinkles6892]

Gift cards to American Eagle can be made out to Megan please

 

[Skylarr29]

Well I do agree that they dont require much thought but I have 2 teenage sisters and trust me they are very hard to buy for and they prefer them so thats what they will get.

 

[mark&sue]

My friend is going to Las Vegas for her 40th Birthday and told me she wanted to go to Rainforest Cafe while she was there. I really wanted to get her a Rainforest Gift Card for her trip. I put a lot of thought into it and spent ages on the phone from UK to US trying to get a giftcard only to be told they don't ship them. I am now trying to think of something else but all the trips and excursions I could find need the original booking credit card when picking up the tickets. Guess I will just have to get her toaster!!!

I have also bought my parents Mariott Hotel gift card for Christmas as they can pick which hotel they want to go to.

I think there is definately some circumstances where it is suitable and like others have said some when they are not.

I would be happy to get a DVC gift card!!!!


Susan

 

[skiwee1]

I love GCs! I prefer them to them to gifts. It allows me to pick out something I really like or want. When I get a GC I look forward to going out and having a free day shopping! I also like to give GCs but only to those that I know love them too. I do not get them for my immediate family though as I know what they like and have no problems finding it.

 

[simba928]

If someone asked me for a gift card, I would get it for them, but I would much rather get something else. You know, something that I actually have to think about, something more personalized. I would rather get something personalized than a gift card. Every year, me and my cousins do a grab bag. It is just a cute little thing we do. The limit is 10$. This year, my cousins decided they wanted to do a gift card exchange. Actually, it was probably my aunt decided, but whatever. We are supposed to get a 10$ gift card to somewhere that any one of us can get something from and then we will put it in a bag on X-mas and we each will draw a card out of the bag. I personally HATE this idea. One of my favorite Christmas gifts last year was a calender that my younger cousin got me in the grab bag. I knew that he really thought about what he wanted to get me and was so excited to get it for me. He was thrilled when I told him that I put it in my locker along with a picture he colored for me. Another problem with this idea is that our ages and tastes are in a HUGE range. I am the oldest at almost 16 and my cousin is the youngest at almost 3. I am in color guard and my cousin is a cheerleader (complete opposites). My one cousin is a football player and my other cousin bowls. We don't shop at the same stores EVER. The only places we can get gift cards from are Target, Walmart, etc. I am really disappointed by this idea as you can tell.

 

[DebbieB]

I give them to my teen and pre-teen nieces & nephews. They love going shopping with them. I started that after they started getting "picky" about clothes (as all kids their age do).

My mom usually bought them an actual gift to open. Since she passed away recently, I think I'm going to try to find them something to open, in addition to a gift card or cash. Like my 1 niece mentioned a game yesterday, another wants a CD player.

 

[Terri C]

My DD8 and DD12 love gift cards. They enjoy shopping and picking out exactly what they want.

Terri

:thewave:

 

[nwdisgal]

My teenage daughter has specifically requested gift cards for Christmas. She likes to pick out her own clothes. I don't think she is the exception. I don't mind doing that. It saves me the time of having to figure out what she is going to like/dislike - which at her age is always changing.

 

[luvmydogs]

I like the idea of gift cards--although I usually receive them more than I give them. I'm just honestly appreciative of people thinking of/spending their money on me--it doesn't matter in what form it comes.