Gift Cards at Christmas

[dairyou]

Every year we go to the malls and purchase presents for our family. This year we got so many gift cards. We've done a few gift cards also for those hard to buy single loved ones who have everything. So, we exchanged gift cards for practically the same amount of money.

Next year I'm thinking of telling everyone not to exchange gifts. I mean, why bother if we're just exchanging gift cards? If I give someone a 25.00 Barnes and Noble Book card and they give me a $25.00 Linen's and Things why bother? I'm thinking of just purchasing presents for our kids and my DH. It just seems like such a waste of time!

Anyone else?

Deb

 

[1Prince2Princesses]

I get what you're saying. My IL's and us always exchange a lot of gift cards, but they live out of state, so it's nice to send something that fits in an envelope. I doubt we'll stop, because I know even if we agreed they'd still send them, and we'd feel guilty. Honestly, my kids love getting gift cards. They get to pick out their own gifts, and it makes them happy!

 

[azgal81]

I love getting gift cards. I got quite a few gift cards for christmas and I couldn't be happier.

 

[mom2boys]

Every year we go to the malls and purchase presents for our family. If I give someone a 25.00 Barnes and Noble Book card and they give me a $25.00 Linen's and Things why bother?
Deb

I look at it this way, if someone gives me a gift card to Linens & Things, I will buy something I want and/or need. And I hope that they will purchase something for themselves at Barnes & Noble. However, if we simply didn't exchange, I probably wouldn't "spend the money" on myself.

 

[famofsix]

I look at it this way, if someone gives me a gift card to Linens & Things, I will buy something I want and/or need. And I hope that they will purchase something for themselves at Barnes & Noble. However, if we simply didn't exchange, I probably wouldn't "spend the money" on myself.

that's a good way to look at at.

 

[poohandwendy]

I look at it this way, if someone gives me a gift card to Linens & Things, I will buy something I want and/or need. And I hope that they will purchase something for themselves at Barnes & Noble. However, if we simply didn't exchange, I probably wouldn't "spend the money" on myself.

LOL, that is how I see it too. It's sort of like permission to indulge, so to speak.

 

[Pam]

Every year we go to the malls and purchase presents for our family. This year we got so many gift cards. We've done a few gift cards also for those hard to buy single loved ones who have everything. So, we exchanged gift cards for practically the same amount of money.

Next year I'm thinking of telling everyone not to exchange gifts. I mean, why bother if we're just exchanging gift cards? If I give someone a 25.00 Barnes and Noble Book card and they give me a $25.00 Linen's and Things why bother? I'm thinking of just purchasing presents for our kids and my DH. It just seems like such a waste of time!

Anyone else?

Deb

Yep, we instituted this policy three years ago and I it!

Now we just buy for our own little family (DH, me, DD, and DS) as well as my Mom and Dad and DH's Mom.

 

[maslex]

I LOVE getting gift cards. Everyone knows of the one store that I LOVE to shop at so I get GC's from there. It is a country crafters/primitive/amish type of store. I got 4 GC's from there this year (with one more that I'm getting tomorrow) So far I have $170 to spend. More than likely the one I'm getting tomorrow will between $25-$50. I plan on having a square end table made for my living room.

I look at it this way. There is no way that I would go down and spend $200 worth of stuff for my house with my own money. I just don't have that kind of money on an average day. But once a year, I get a few gift cards that equal a decent amount and I'm able to buy a few things that I normally wouldn't have.

I say LONG LIVE THE GIFT CARDS!!!!

 

[dairyou]

Hmmm... I understand everyone's point. I guess in my situation I'd rather give my kids the extra money (cash) and let them buy what they want instead of spending 25.00 here and there on different relatives.

I'm not one who wants too much so when I do decide to spend a lump sum of money for myself or DH I don't feel bad about it.

I was just getting everyones opinion which you all did It gives me more perspective on what to do for next year.

Deb

 

[famofsix]

my favorite present last year was a 20 buck starbucks gift card from a friend ...
I loved going throught the drivethru and whipping out my card
I wouldn't have gone to starbucks otherwise because it is pricy so it was a real treat

 

[Buckalew11]

my favorite present last year was a 20 buck starbucks gift card from a friend ...
I loved going throught the drivethru and whipping out my card
I wouldn't have gone to starbucks otherwise because it is pricy so it was a real treat

DH got a $20.oo one for Starbucks this year and I hope he'll enjoy it like you did yours. He wouldn't indulge himself either.

I received 6 gifts GC to Christopher and Banks this year. I am thrilled to pieces with each one of them. The perfect gift for me!!

 

[pppiglet]

Every year we go to the malls and purchase presents for our family. This year we got so many gift cards. We've done a few gift cards also for those hard to buy single loved ones who have everything. So, we exchanged gift cards for practically the same amount of money.

Next year I'm thinking of telling everyone not to exchange gifts. I mean, why bother if we're just exchanging gift cards? If I give someone a 25.00 Barnes and Noble Book card and they give me a $25.00 Linen's and Things why bother? I'm thinking of just purchasing presents for our kids and my DH. It just seems like such a waste of time!

Anyone else?

Deb

I was thinking the same thing. (I guess Debbie's think alike!)

I felt bad, so I wrapped the Gift cert in a box with a pair of fuzzy soft socks for the girls and black socks for the guys.

My Aunt does the same thing. Gives money or gift cards and then wraps another cheap or interesting item with it.

 

[sweet angel]

I bought myself a Wawa gift card last year when I had extra cash. That way, if I was running late in the morning and didn't have time to make my coffee or put together breakfast, I could stop and didn't need to worry about if I had cash on me!

My neighbors and I exchanged gift cards to a restaurant a few years ago -- same amount -- same restaurant. We decided to all go together.

 

[J.Cooper]

I love getting gift cards. Actually this Xmas I rec'd quite a few! Like other posters mentioned, it's like extra money to spend on whatever you want or a free dinner at a favorite restaurant without any hassles. I can get what I need instead of receiving a gift I don't need and having the hassle to return etc...

I think whoever came up with the gift card idea was a genius! DH and I love receiving them!!! In fact we will buy each other gift cards.

 

[Aidensmom]

I love gift cards. I usually can't think of anything I really want but clothes, and I don't like other people buying them for me. However, I don't tend to buy myself clothes much because I feel like I should be using the money for something else, but when I have a gift card it is like permission to buy myself something.

My sister and I often exchange gift cards for our birthdays, which are just days apart. I would not want to end the tradition, and I am sure she would not either.

Signed,

The very happy owner of a brand new pair of suede jeans bought at Dillard's today with a gift card.

 

[ThreeMusketeers]

I think Gift Cards are great! It gives me the opportunity to buy something especially for myself that I probobly wouldn't take the money to do otherwise. I also think it is thoughtful when someone gets you a gift card to a store that they know you love to shop at. My sister this year bought me a giftcard to Ann Taylor Loft..and its been quite some time since i have broke down and spent my family's money there for an outfit just for me! So it was nice to be able to splurge a bit on myself!

My hubby on the other hand would much rather recieve gifts. Although, i didn't hear him complaining this year when we rec'd more than the norm in the gift card department.

 

[mommytotwo]

I also love recieving gift cards.
I don't mind recieving a gift card from a family member or friend instead of getting an actual present.

 

[flipturngirl]

you could always do homemade gifts..

 

[aprilgail2]

Next year I'm thinking of telling everyone not to exchange gifts. I mean, why bother if we're just exchanging gift cards? If I give someone a 25.00 Barnes and Noble Book card and they give me a $25.00 Linen's and Things why bother? I'm thinking of just purchasing presents for our kids and my DH. It just seems like such a waste of time!
Anyone else?
Deb

As adults we stopped exchanging, it is silly to just hand 25.00 back and forth...in our family once you have kids then you don't get gifts anymore, everyone buys for the kid which is just fine with me.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

If you want to stop exchanging gift cards does that mean that you also stop gifts for your children?
Not a big deal if everyone is OK, with it of course.