Opinions on gift cards vs actual gifts

[mrsg00fy]

Why gift cards? Why not just give cash? You get to the same place with fewer restrictions. Gift cards cut down on flexability.Why would you guarantee a certain store a sale and cut down on the flexability for the receiver?

For example....my kids love video games. These are sold at many places and sales run at different times. If a gift card is given, it means that we are locked into one particular store....and you guarantee that store a sale. So the game goes on sale.....at another store. In the end, it costs more to use the gift card rather than to purchase the desired item for the best price. I am all about getting the best price. Don't get me wrong...all gifts are graciously received. Maybe some folks think that a gift card is more personal than cash. But in my view...it is only more restrictive.

I think that gift cards are a headache. Just give cash. No restrictions. Very flexible. Very efficient. And you can buy what you want where you want.

 

[superme80]

I gift cards!!!! My parents hate them. So I usually will give my parents cash, but for me gift card away! Heck if someone got me a gas card or a grocery gift card I would be in heaven!!!!

 

[cluvsdisney]

Why gift cards? Why not just give cash? You get to the same place with fewer restrictions. Gift cards cut down on flexability.Why would you guarantee a certain store a sale and cut down on the flexability for the receiver?

For example....my kids love video games. These are sold at many places and sales run at different times. If a gift card is given, it means that we are locked into one particular store....and you guarantee that store a sale. So the game goes on sale.....at another store. In the end, it costs more to use the gift card rather than to purchase the desired item for the best price. I am all about getting the best price. Don't get me wrong...all gifts are graciously received. Maybe some folks think that a gift card is more personal than cash. But in my view...it is only more restrictive.

I think that gift cards are a headache. Just give cash. No restrictions. Very flexible. Very efficient. And you can buy what you want where you want.

I agree with you 100% about not locking the recipient into a particular store which is why I prefer to give or receive visa or amex gift cards. The only reason I don't like cash is that more often then not, the cash ends up in my wallet and used for an every day expense instead of something special. I am sure I am not the only one that does that. You can use a visa gift card just about everywhere so they are not limiting at all. If you want to pick up those cute shoes you had your eye on, no problem. Or if you want to use it for gas, that's not a problem either.

 

[Michelle and crew]

I agree. Cash goes for necessities, out of habit. I love the cards because they make you do something nice for yourself.

 

[donac]

Why gift cards? Why not just give cash? You get to the same place with fewer restrictions. Gift cards cut down on flexability.Why would you guarantee a certain store a sale and cut down on the flexability for the receiver?

For example....my kids love video games. These are sold at many places and sales run at different times. If a gift card is given, it means that we are locked into one particular store....and you guarantee that store a sale. So the game goes on sale.....at another store. In the end, it costs more to use the gift card rather than to purchase the desired item for the best price. I am all about getting the best price. Don't get me wrong...all gifts are graciously received. Maybe some folks think that a gift card is more personal than cash. But in my view...it is only more restrictive.

I think that gift cards are a headache. Just give cash. No restrictions. Very flexible. Very efficient. And you can buy what you want where you want.

That is why I give Visa or Amex cards. They can be used anywhere even on line.

My best Christmas was the year dh gave me a gc to my favorite quilt shop. On top of that dmil gave me one also. I was set for a great shopping trip. That has never happened since and I often wonder why. My sis in law lives right near it and my inlaws are always going by there.

 

[formill]

For people you exchange with back and forth I truly don't get gift cards. If I give my sister a gift card for $25 and she gives me one for $25 what is the point......??? Now for people who do not give you a gift back......like the teacher, the nephew etc I guess they are nice. Cash does make more sense though then they can also just put it in the bank....men/boys especially seem to have less need for "stuff" so won't even use the gift card.

 

[Michelle and crew]

For people you exchange with back and forth I truly don't get gift cards. If I give my sister a gift card for $25 and she gives me one for $25 what is the point......??? Now for people who do not give you a gift back......like the teacher, the nephew etc I guess they are nice. Cash does make more sense though then they can also just put it in the bank....men/boys especially seem to have less need for "stuff" so won't even use the gift card.

The same goes for any gift. I give you a candle, you give me one, etc. That is what an exchange is all about. I buy you something I think you would like, you do the same.

 

[travelbug]

I love getting gift cards! I enjoy giving them too, and have been doing that for most of my gift giving for a few years now.

 

[lindsmom]

For people you exchange with back and forth I truly don't get gift cards. If I give my sister a gift card for $25 and she gives me one for $25 what is the point......??? Now for people who do not give you a gift back......like the teacher, the nephew etc I guess they are nice. Cash does make more sense though then they can also just put it in the bank....men/boys especially seem to have less need for "stuff" so won't even use the gift card.

We used to do this with my husband's siblings - the year we swapped identical $25 best buy cards was the year I said stop. We don't exchange with them - just for the children. However, my family draws names and we get the person a gift valued approx. $100.

Now I'm not going to go out and spend $100 at best buy on myself, but if my sister gives me a gc worth $100 then I'll use it. Likewise, she may need paint for the house but will cheap out if buying it herself. If we give her $100 to Lowe's she'll get the better paint (just an example).

 

[eeyorethegreat]

For people you exchange with back and forth I truly don't get gift cards. If I give my sister a gift card for $25 and she gives me one for $25 what is the point......??? Now for people who do not give you a gift back......like the teacher, the nephew etc I guess they are nice. Cash does make more sense though then they can also just put it in the bank....men/boys especially seem to have less need for "stuff" so won't even use the gift card.

The same goes for any gift. I give you a candle, you give me one, etc. That is what an exchange is all about. I buy you something I think you would like, you do the same.

I'm not criticizing anyone who gives gifts every year to all the members of their families even ones they aren't close to and dont really know paraphased from a pp. I think it is kind and thoughful and certainly a nice gesture. IMHO all this gift giving gets way out of hand. I see on here and in the "real" (non cyber/messageboard) world people getting more and more stressed as the holidays approach because they haven't found a gift for cousin Johnny, his wife whom was only met at the wedding and their darling son whom they have never laid eyes on. I just operate by the theory if we are close to the people we may do a gift if not then we don't. We gift to DH parents together, my parents separately as they are not together, DH is not close to his sibs at all we aren't going to pretend that we are just because it is Christmas no gifts are exchanged there. I have no siblings, He is not close to his aunts uncles or cousins- no gifts going out there, I am close to one aunt and uncle- we gift together to them, my cousins on mom's side who were the closest things to sibs both get family gifts, I am not close to cousins on dad's side no gifts. That's it. It just seems that the whole gift giving thing is done for many just because it is expected rather then out of any genuine warm relationship with the people. Obviously to family members that are close there is that feeling of wanting to choose just the right gift for them to show your love. Christmas is so much more than gift giving. We really try to focus more on the reason we are celebrating Christmas than the giving and receiving of gifts. I am honestly never ever offended to not get a gift. Back to the OP, we have given and recieved gift cards and it was appreciated both ways. In giving we keep the special interests of the person in mind if we choose to give a gift card.

 

[McKelly]

For people you exchange with back and forth I truly don't get gift cards. If I give my sister a gift card for $25 and she gives me one for $25 what is the point......??? Now for people who do not give you a gift back......like the teacher, the nephew etc I guess they are nice. Cash does make more sense though then they can also just put it in the bank....men/boys especially seem to have less need for "stuff" so won't even use the gift card.

YES!! This is how I feel. Every year, everyone exchanges gift cards. What's the point?

 

[LuvOrlando]

I give them out because family members prefer them. Many of our local banks offer promotions of no fee visa cards to account holders during the holidays so I scout for those and open an account if necessary to get them. What I refuse to do is pay a fee for the card any higher than $1-$2 as a convenience fee.

 

[Michelle and crew]

I'm not criticizing anyone who gives gifts every year to all the members of their families even ones they aren't close to and dont really know paraphased from a pp. I think it is kind and thoughful and certainly a nice gesture. IMHO all this gift giving gets way out of hand. I see on here and in the "real" (non cyber/messageboard) world people getting more and more stressed as the holidays approach because they haven't found a gift for cousin Johnny, his wife whom was only met at the wedding and their darling son whom they have never laid eyes on. I just operate by the theory if we are close to the people we may do a gift if not then we don't. We gift to DH parents together, my parents separately as they are not together, DH is not close to his sibs at all we aren't going to pretend that we are just because it is Christmas no gifts are exchanged there. I have no siblings, He is not close to his aunts uncles or cousins- no gifts going out there, I am close to one aunt and uncle- we gift together to them, my cousins on mom's side who were the closest things to sibs both get family gifts, I am not close to cousins on dad's side no gifts. That's it. It just seems that the whole gift giving thing is done for many just because it is expected rather then out of any genuine warm relationship with the people. Obviously to family members that are close there is that feeling of wanting to choose just the right gift for them to show your love. Christmas is so much more than gift giving. We really try to focus more on the reason we are celebrating Christmas than the giving and receiving of gifts. I am honestly never ever offended to not get a gift. Back to the OP, we have given and recieved gift cards and it was appreciated both ways. In giving we keep the special interests of the person in mind if we choose to give a gift card.

For some, it is fun to shop for the people they love. I don't find it stressful at all.

My sister adores starbucks, but times are tough. So my gc for her means she will enjoy herself, and take the time to treat herself.

Movie cards for my niece and nephew meant they saw Toy Story 3 in the theaters.

Etc. This is why it isn't just about handing around the same $20 bill.

And I agree. Gift giving is just a fun way to celabrate so much more.

 

[Michelle and crew]

YES!! This is how I feel. Every year, everyone exchanges gift cards. What's the point?

The same as any other gift exchange. Why is it different than what you do? (if you exchange) You give something, you get something...

 

[SPBendersky]

I am personaly unhappy with the fact that some select stores have a perisable date. You know an experation date, it is insane. To pay for something and then not use it til you really find the item you want to find out it expired. If you are going to use gift cards go with American express.

 

[McKelly]

The same as any other gift exchange. Why is it different than what you do? (if you exchange) You give something, you get something...

Because if I give someone a $50.00 gift card and they give me a $50.00 gift card back, wouldn't it have been easier to just keep our money and not bother purchasing the gift card altogether? I will admit that for cross-country gift giving or for the obligatory gift to people you don't know well, gift cards are great. But for family or close friends, I just think a well thought out gift seems more heartfelt. This person took the time to think about what I like, listens to what I say and pays attention to me when we are together to notice my interests....

 

[Michelle and crew]

Because if I give someone a $50.00 gift card and they give me a $50.00 gift card back, wouldn't it have been easier to just keep our money and not bother purchasing the gift card altogether? I will admit that for cross-country gift giving or for the obligatory gift to people you don't know well, gift cards are great. But for family or close friends, I just think a well thought out gift seems more heartfelt. This person took the time to think about what I like, listens to what I say and pays attention to me when we are together to notice my interests....

If you give a basket with bath items from their favorite store, and they give you the same, that is different how?

 

[McKelly]

If you give a basket with bath items from their favorite store, and they give you the same, that is different how?

Well, to be honest, I cannot say that my likes and interests line up so closely with my family and friends that this has ever happened.

Honestly, I am not trying to start an argument, the thread asked for opinions and I gave mine......you like gift cards, I get that and I respect that, clearly a lot of people give them since there are walls of them in the store for gift-giving.

 

[rdevine10]

I am one that also enjoys gift cards as I treat myself to things I might not buy normally. I also love to shop and rarely do it for myself, so its a true treat for me!

I do not care for the Visa/mastercard/amex cards as I get those often at Xmas or birthday and they are a pain to use if you dont use the whole amount at one location at one time.

Lastly, my sister in laws are both a pain regarding gift cards for my teenagae neices. They feel they are impersonal. Every year it makes it very hard for me to find something to buy them as I have a budget and the suggestions I get are far more expensive than the budget (which is why I like gift cards... if you want the $75 pants my $30 can go towards it).

Just because we do ok financially doesnt mean I have the budget to spend $75 per niece/nephew (I have 8 neices/nephews!).

Last year I decided to do as I want, not as my sister in laws asked.... its much easier and the kids still love it.

 

[Michelle and crew]

Well, to be honest, I cannot say that my likes and interests line up so closely with my family and friends that this has ever happened.

Honestly, I am not trying to start an argument, the thread asked for opinions and I gave mine......you like gift cards, I get that and I respect that, clearly a lot of people give them since there are walls of them in the store for gift-giving.

lol, not fighting here, either. I just see this as another way to match up with an interest, like a more traditional gift, plus the fun of shopping.