Ok today at lunch my teen daughter said she didn't know what she was going to get her best friend for Christmas. Dad said " a gift card". Her, "Dad you don't give your best friend gift card?" I was like "a gift card?", with the you can't be serious tone. His response you need to get out of the 19th century.
Ok, so I think you figured out I really don't like gift cards, and before the days of gift cards, I really didn't like gift certificates. I do, however, agree that in many cases the can make a good gift, like for a teacher or a colleague. I've even given my BFF a gift card (along with an offer to babysit) to her favorite restaurant because I knew her and hubby really needed a date night.
I take pleasure in shopping for, or making a gift for someone for something I think that they will like or enjoy. I also appreciate a gift from someone who has taken the time to choose something for me. I would be very disappointed if I received a gift card from a family member or close friend.
So what's your opinion, do you think you should give someone who is close to you a gfit card?
I love gift cards! I do not mind giving them either. I will sometimes give a GC to a friend attached to a bottle of wine, or to book or something so it is not just the card.
To mu niece and nephew who are teens, I give them either cash or a Visa Gift card, because they LOVE to shop.. This is their chance to get whatever they want.
There are plenty of times I would prefer a gift card over a gift. I'm hard to buy for.
My mom and sister love to buy me clothes....but they don't always fit and they aren't always the right style....not that I don't appreciate the effort they made to go searching...
My nephews prefer gift cards - especially to sports stores so they can get the baseball glove they are wanting, baseball bat, etc. and like purses, bats and gloves are VERY personal things....I know, laugh but the it has to "feel right"....
My best friend lives in Colorado. I buy her gift cards to Bath and Body works - she is happy because she can go into the store and smell, touch, etc. and get the smell that she wants...not what I think she'll like...
So I guess I will be one of the minority. Gift cards are great for me!!!
I have mixed feelings.
I have often asked (!) for gift cards. Sometimes what I really want for Christmas or a birthday is to be able to work on a project - say, getting something big done to my home - and every gift card to Home Depot or Lowe's is greatly, greatly appreciated. What makes it special is that the person knew what I wanted to do and was happy to contribute to it.
There are people I can't really choose a gift for with any assurance of success. They're difficult to please and often live far away. If I know where they like to shop, I can send a gift card for that place. My MIL is getting a GC for Lands' End - please don't tell her - along with a catalogue, because she likes their clothes and they aren't available in stores close to her (or to us). I think she likes to do her own choosing; that's the sort of person she is.
So there is a sense which which a store card can be a personal gift.
What I don't care for is, "Oh, this is such a bother and I have better things to do, so I'll just grab a gift card." I don't like checks or cash given with that attitude, either. Somehow or other, I use them, though! And I send ladylike thank-you notes afterward telling them what they *really* gave me.
Gift cards, are very well liked by many children or adults.
Some people are just very hard to shop for, even if you go to their favorite store.
So, yes, gift cards are fine!
I have, many times, along with my daughter (who is 9), shopped for gifts for her best friends. We, after much effort, found a gift for them. Based on their interests, etc. BUT then... so the friend, never even uses it nor wears it, nor plays with it, and it is just, 'useless' then. Meanwhile, money and much time, was spent on it... by both my daughter and "me" because, I took my daughter shopping for her friend's gift(s).
To me, that is SOOOOOO wasteful. Sure, we put a lot of thought into the gift that was bought. And went to many stores. But in the end, the child/friend doesn't like it nor uses it etc. So to me, that is a huge 'waste' of time and money.
Even my daughter, realizes that.
So now... for those "picky" hard to shop for friends, we get Gift Cards.
That... is most useful, for certain people/kids. THEN that way, they can get what THEY want.
Also many times though, I know people who have gotten Gift Cards (from stores/restaurants they do like), and they STILL have never used it and 1 year has gone by already.
So.
What a waste... of money. And time. And thought.
In a nutshell, that has been my experience.
Personally for myself, I prefer gift cards. Because... otherwise, no one (my family/relatives), gets things that I actually like or use.
To me, if you are going to buy say a cute mug filled with snacks.... well, that could cost $10, and for me, why not just buy a $10 gift card instead? Its more useful.... and people have lots of mugs, anyway.
I think that they are acceptable, especially if you don't know what the person would want or the size, etc. I choose a card from a store they like or from a store where they might not shop without the extra incentive (like giving Mom Starbucks so she will actually treat herself).
I think she could probably give her friend iTunes and the friend would be happy. Not everyone is the same sort of shopper you are and a thoughtful gift card is still a thoughtful gift.
Sometimes after shopping years and years for someone...and never really felt that you got them something they could use or like....a gift card is the answer. My daughter loves loves loves clothes...but I would never try to pick them out...so she is getting a gift card from Express.However...I always buy alittle something to go along with it.
I like gift cards in certain situations. I do gift cards for teachers and daycare providers. I don't do them for my kids or my husband. However, perhaps I will do some gift cards for my kids as they get older (they are only 3 and 5).
I LOVE receiving gift cards to my favorite stores/restaurant. I've never understood why others don't like them. If you happen to receive a card to a store you don't like, I am sure you can buy a gift * for* someone you know who loves that particular store.
For your best friend? No, I'm w/ your DD.
Seems kinda impersonal and lazy.
(I love getting gift cards.)
i think that since it's your teenage daughter who is buying for another teenage girl, it shouldn't be so difficult to come up with something. dad was probably just trying to help...i bet the two of you can think of something much better :)
but in general, i think sometimes gift cards are ok to give (i actually do enjoy receiving them) and sometimes it's better if you think of something more personal. a gift card is a really nice gift, but it kind of says, "i didn't know what else to get you" which can be kind of impersonal.
I hate gift cards too. I totally understand their utility and why people like them. But for me, I just feel they are free money to the merchants. People either end up leaving a portion of the cards unused or they have to pony up a little bit more to cover the full cost of whatever they buy. Very rarely does someone's purchase line up exactly to the value of the gift card. Honestly, I'd rather give cash, but for some reason that is seen as more impersonal than a gift card?? I don't get it.
And I agree with you, a gift card is something you give to someone you don't know very well unless you know for sure that's what they want. Those are always what my nieces want - UGH - so that's what we give to them, because ultimately it's not all about us. But still, I am with you. If your daughter can think of something more personal, I agree that that would be more meaningful.
I have no problem coming up with the "right" or desired gift for someone, but for me gift cards serve a purpose. I personally love to receive gift cards from anyone, then I can buy what I truly want or need. I have a sister I wish would give me gift cards, she always buys what SHE likes for herself and gifts these items, then waits with baited breath for your reaction. She does this with others, not just me, and we usually wind up giving her what she gave us somewhere down the line...maybe that's her goal ; )
As far as giving gift cards to others i do that as well at times..Starbucks cards to coffee drinkers, Bath & Body Works to my sister who loves to shop the sales there, Subway to my BIL...whatever the person is into. I know they use them and are appreciated.
I guess we just all look at them differently!
