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Gift Cards vs Actual Presents

FrankieGFrankieG Abingdon MD Posts: 9,100
in All Encompassing Trip
What do you prefer to give?
What do you prefer to receive?

Do you perceive a gift card as a "cop-out" because you couldn't think of anything to get them, or as a way to truly get them something they actually want/need? Or do you like giving actual presents with the feeling "it's the thought that counts" i.e. 'this made me think of you' kinda thing is better, even if I don't really want/need it?

Is it stupid to get someone a gift card if you already know they are gonna give you a gift card/cash too because that's essentially trading money?
2003: 7/14 NJ ... 2006: 6/1 NJ, 6/3 NJ ... 2007: 8/5 IL ... 2008: 6/24 NY, 6/25 NY, 8/7 EV NJ ... 2009: 10/27 PA, 10/28 PA, 10/30 PA, 10/31 PA
2010: 5/20 NY, 5/21 NY ... 2011: 6/21 EV NY, 9/3 WI, 9/4 WI ... 2012: 9/2 PA, 9/22 GA ... 2013: 10/18 NY, 10/19 NY, 10/21 PA, 10/22 PA, 10/27 MD
2015: 9/23 NY, 9/26 NY ... 2016: 4/28 PA, 4/29 PA, 5/1 NY, 5/2 NY, 6/11 TN, 8/7 MA, 11/4 TOTD PA, 11/5 TOTD PA ... 2018: 8/10 WA
2022: 9/14 NJ ... 2024: 5/28 WA, 9/7 PA, 9/9 PA ---- http://imgur.com/a/nk0s7

Comments

  • hedonisthedonist Posts: 24,524
    I typically give my sister and her family (for the most part, aside from my husband and mom, the only people for whom we get gifts) AmEx cards. It helps financially and they can use it toward whatever they want.

    I'd never perceive receiving one as a cop-out. It's a windfall!

    That said, when I come across an item or idea I know would be loved - no matter the time of year - it's a wonderful feeling to give that.
  • mca47mca47 Posts: 13,306
    If you don't know someone well enough to know what they want, get them a gift card. Getting something you don't need or want is a pain in the ass. Not only do you have this worthless gift, but you now have to take it back. You then have to have the awkward conversation with the giver that amounts to "this gift sucks, I want something else...can I get the receipt?" Then taking back the gift....driving all the way to the store in the cold, waiting in a long line to exchange your crappy gift...its a chore!!
    So, no....gift cards are perfectly acceptable especially if you don't know someone well enough to know what they want.
  • samjamsamjam New York Posts: 9,283
    I love a gift card from anybody, whether close or not. Never understood the hate for it. You walk into the store and get to pick exactly what you want, when you want it-sound terrific to me!
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  • RygarRygar Posts: 8,690
    I went Christmas shopping yesterday and came to the conclusion that gift cards/money for all is the way to go....
  • deadendpdeadendp Northeast Ohio Posts: 10,434
    edited December 2014
    I prefer to find something that I know that someone will love. If I can do that, super. I did, however, lean on the gift cards a bit more this year. Either I couldn't figure out what to purchase for teenagers (iTunes gift cards for them,) my in-law's were less than dazzled with my very meaningful gift last year (Discover prepaid card this year) or my SIL who makes far more money than we do and requires nothing (Discover prepaid card.) My SIL is now running the Boston Marathon on Martin Richard's team, so she is fundraising and wants all Christmas gifts to be cash donations to the fundraiser. Of course, she requested this AFTER I got the Discover prepaid card, so I bundled it up in a Christmas card with a note saying to donate the money if she'd like.

    Sometimes I just don't possess that magic crystal ball that tells me what to buy. I don't want to give people something that they don't like just so that I can see them open something on Christmas. I'll leave that awkwardness to my MIL.
    Post edited by deadendp on
    2014: Cincinnati
    2016: Lexington and Wrigley 1
  • RygarRygar Posts: 8,690
    deadendp - I also like to get a physical gift but I have a hard time figuring out that gift for most people. I put an effort in, but will fall back on cards or cash after a while haha
  • deadendpdeadendp Northeast Ohio Posts: 10,434
    I mean, how many sets of fleece pajamas do I really need? My MIL buys them every year from Macy's. I don't shop at Macy's, so I have a credit of $35 from last year and expect another this year. It's nice that she thinks of me and all, but she will absolutely tell you that she wants to see you open something.
    2014: Cincinnati
    2016: Lexington and Wrigley 1
  • shetellsherselfshetellsherself New Jersey Posts: 8,835
    My brother and I do gift cards for each other and for the kids. It's honestly just easier bc the kids can get something they have been wanting but I won't buy bc it's too expensive/frivolous/whatever. Also, we have to ship to each other so it's easier to send gift card than ship a package. AND most importantly I can spend my gift card on pj stuff if I want and mr. shetellsherself can't bitch about it. :P
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  • OceanInDisguise13OceanInDisguise13 Posts: 930
    I usually try to get presents but for people I don't know too well, I opt for gift cards..it's easier and they can get whatever they want so it's a win-win: I save time and they get exactly what they want. It's not a cop-out it's still nice to give and receive. Whether it's an actual present or a gift card, it will still (hopefully) put a smile on the person's face. If I don't want to give gift cards, I settle for the next best thing: Godiva chocolates lol
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  • HobbesHobbes Pacific Northwest Posts: 6,433
    Nothing wrong with gift cards, especially when they're for the 10 Club. My girlfriend got me one last year saying, "I wouldn't even know where to start". I told her it was perfect. \:D/
  • FrankieGFrankieG Abingdon MD Posts: 9,100
    I was able to finish all of my shopping yesterday because I bought gift cards this year. I had a few ideas for people, and was able to find presents for the rest of the people I needed to buy for. But my grandparents are hard to buy for.... they are all retired and can buy whatever they want and don't really need anything.. I got them all gift cards. I have always felt giving them a gift card was stupid/impersonal when I already know they will be giving me cash, but the more I thought about what I would buy them that they wouldn't need made me realize that gift cards do make alot of sense.
    2003: 7/14 NJ ... 2006: 6/1 NJ, 6/3 NJ ... 2007: 8/5 IL ... 2008: 6/24 NY, 6/25 NY, 8/7 EV NJ ... 2009: 10/27 PA, 10/28 PA, 10/30 PA, 10/31 PA
    2010: 5/20 NY, 5/21 NY ... 2011: 6/21 EV NY, 9/3 WI, 9/4 WI ... 2012: 9/2 PA, 9/22 GA ... 2013: 10/18 NY, 10/19 NY, 10/21 PA, 10/22 PA, 10/27 MD
    2015: 9/23 NY, 9/26 NY ... 2016: 4/28 PA, 4/29 PA, 5/1 NY, 5/2 NY, 6/11 TN, 8/7 MA, 11/4 TOTD PA, 11/5 TOTD PA ... 2018: 8/10 WA
    2022: 9/14 NJ ... 2024: 5/28 WA, 9/7 PA, 9/9 PA ---- http://imgur.com/a/nk0s7
  • RygarRygar Posts: 8,690
    I actually got quite a few decent presents today, quite a relief after yesterday's strike out haha
  • RKCNDYRKCNDY Posts: 31,013
    I like gift cards if it's to a store I actually shop at. Like my old work gave out gift cards to WallyWorld (I HATE that place) and they gave out movie passes. So I currently have 6 movie passes and a few gift cards from 6 years ago (norm knows why I have not used the movie passes) laying around somewhere.

    I once won a $100 gift card to Nordstrom, and it took me 3 years to use it, because I just don't shop Nordy's, and I couldn't find anything I liked online.

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