Gift cards- just lazy presents?

I think if you get a gift card to a store that you know the person shops, then sometimes this is a very good idea. For example; if a person is involved in crafts, you have no way of knowing what the have in their "inventory". A gift card would enable them to get what they want. A gift card to a general merchandise store is something different. That seems lazy, or last minute.

Depends on the gift card. I love to read, as such I love to get gift cards to book stores. If I get a book, great. If I get a gift card where I can pick out the book, great. I love both. If I were to receive a gift card for a gas station, then I would be put off.

In general, if I don't give a damn if I get a gift or not. I certainly don't blame someone for wanting to avoid the shopping frenzy and "settle" for a gift card. I'd just assume sharing a bottle of good wine and the company of a friend over a gift of any sort.

Actually, I hear what you are saying, but it can be well thought out actually. The problem, is the person giving it, sometimes doesn't know what gift they really gave the other. I tell my kids, lets make sure we tell them what you got with it. It's a thoughtful thing to do when thanking them.

I say, vary it a bit. Don't give gift cards all the time. We love the gifts people give us, but often its scary to buy for others. It can be a lot easier to send, and feel good about them getting something you want. Just don't lose it!

Many times we can't afford to buy all those gifts. But - before email, psychologists said that the highest happiest moment in someone's day was receiving a letter or card from someone. It means that people have taken the care and trouble to buy them, write something special on it, and that they are thinking of you - it means you are special. Sometimes we have friends we don't see for months or more - sending a Christmas card with up-to-date news keeps that friendship alive. Exchanging Christmas cards shows that you care about people, and that they care about you. In my opinion, this personal touch is far more important than gift giving - gifts are just "things". Anyone can buy them. Nothing can give that personal and caring thoughtfulness that shows you're worth the trouble to sit down and write especially for that person in your own handwriting:-)

Disagree. I use gift cards in the amount I can afford for that particular friend and frequently I can't afford the actual item I know that they would like so my gift card helps them afford the item themselves.

When I can afford a specific gift I give the gift. Gift cards are my second choice; I do prefer the real item whenever possible.

I don't really like giving gift cards, but i sure love getting them. That way I can choose what ever I want after Christmas when the really good sales are on.

I do like to give resturant gift cards to people who love a certain resturant and cant really afford to there.

As a mom with grown kids, giving them a gift card is better, than they can get what they want or need, or save until needed later. Did the gift thing when they were little.

Neutral.

I personally think that to preserve the True meaning of Christmas, we should stop giving gifts to one another.

The true meaning of Christmas is "God is with us"... if we wish to truly celebrate "God with us", then let us go and serve others the way Christ served us...

Instead of giving each other silly gifts that we dont really need, we can spend that money instead (or the equivalent time instead) to personally take care of widows and orphans, to help the deserving* poor, the sick, the suffering, the dying.

*) Deserving poor -- means we do not "enable" stupid or self-destructive behavior which is the cause of most poverty in the west.

Cordially,

John

http://www.godsci.org/

Agree. It is a great thing for retailers though. In the olden days if you didn't like your gift card or certificate, you could exchange it for cash. Now all the companies will not allow you to exchange the value for cash. In other words, when they sell one of these cards, they keep that cash. No fear of it being spent somewhere else. Good business sense, bad personal skills. That is like someone donating to charity in my name. Just get me a card and skip it.

I'm always thrilled to get a gift card, the people who give them to me understand that I am usually broke and have to spend all my money on my family. I use gift cards to buy something just for me that I never would have bought for myself otherwise. I also like gift certificates to restaurants. My hubby and I never get out and it gives us an excuse and the resource to go out by ourselves.