topic Re: Why I Am a Fan of Gift Cards in Community Chat

Why I Am a Fan of Gift Cards

Sooner — Tue, 24 Oct 2023 14:26:06 GMT

People love 'em; people hate 'em. So how do you feel? Here's the way I look at them.

Sometimes it is easy so I give them. Sometimes I don't know the person well, so I give them rather than a gift that might disappoint. It's easy for the $10 little thank you.

Most often, I look at it as a way to do something for someone. It's maybe a few dollars they need, or some extra cash to buy or do something, even a coffee special drink or a splurge on nail polish they've eyed.

It may be that I don't get the fun of picking out a gift in some cases, but it is the one gift I think fits all sizes. And not another gift that delights the giver but not me.

I have done the dangerous "gift they wouldn't give themselves"--and wound up embarrased because it's the gift they wouldn't give themselves because they didn't want one. Oops!

Re: Why I Am a Fan of Gift Cards

MaverDaver — Tue, 24 Oct 2023 14:34:59 GMT

Count me in for gift cards -- always. Giving them I try to find their favorite store or restaurant wherein I know they will use them -- eventually.

Regarding receiving gift cards, I prefer the generic version -- CASH -- to do with what I choose.

Re: Why I Am a Fan of Gift Cards

ahoymate — Tue, 24 Oct 2023 14:36:29 GMT

Re: Why I Am a Fan of Gift Cards

QVCkitty1 — Tue, 24 Oct 2023 14:36:38 GMT

I'm a fan of giving and receiving gift cards. If I really know the person I will try hard to choose the perfect gift, but often that is not possible. I like choosing my own gift and the important thing is to either pick an all inclusive card or a business that the you know the recipient likes. People usually like Amazon gift cards because there is so much to choose from.

Re: Why I Am a Fan of Gift Cards

deeva — Tue, 24 Oct 2023 18:03:09 GMT

We used to send gift cards to our grandchildren. I always bought the universal ones too, either Visa, Mastercard or American Express.

I only bought them at my bank.

I would have preferred to give them cash, but since our grandkids lived in another state, this was not possible.

Re: Why I Am a Fan of Gift Cards

deepwaterdotter — Tue, 24 Oct 2023 14:44:56 GMT

I prefer to give a cash gift. The recipients appear to appreciate the gesture.

Re: Why I Am a Fan of Gift Cards

Desert Lily — Tue, 24 Oct 2023 14:55:13 GMT

My SIL was a teacher who recently retired. She had told me that every year when students brought her Christmas gifts, she & the other teachers donated the gifts or tossed (mostly food items) them in the garbage before leaving for winter break.

(Once she told me a teacher donated her gift of Philosophy soap to the teachers' restroom to share.)

They kept the gift cards.

She said although they were thankful for the thoughts & appreciated being remembered, teachers didn't really need more candles, flashlights, teacher mugs, etc. And in today's world, they were hesitant to eat food items.

Re: Why I Am a Fan of Gift Cards

Kachina624 — Tue, 24 Oct 2023 14:59:30 GMT

I can understand the practicality of giving gift cards and agree that at time, they're the logical choice. However, i personally hate to receive them. I always feel cheated, like somebody couldn't go to the trouble of selecting a gift. I have money to buy most anything I want, I don't get a thrill out of getting more.

Re: Why I Am a Fan of Gift Cards

LindaSal — Tue, 24 Oct 2023 14:59:42 GMT

I like gift cards and feel they are a good idea. I don't have many to buy for at the holidays but I always include a substantial Amazon card for my adult kids along with some smaller practical gifts. It's a win win as they can buy whatever they need for themselves or their homes.

Re: Why I Am a Fan of Gift Cards

ahoymate — Tue, 24 Oct 2023 15:02:27 GMT

@Kachina624 wrote:
I can understand the practicality of giving gift cards and agree that at time, they're the logical choice. However, i personally hate to receive them. I always feel cheated, like somebody couldn't go to the trouble of selecting a gift. I have money to buy most anything I want, I don't get a thrill out of getting more.

The "Thrill" is gone.

Re: Why I Am a Fan of Gift Cards

Carmie — Tue, 24 Oct 2023 15:15:35 GMT

I am not a fan of gift cards. I don't like to give or receive them.

Often, the whole value of the card doesn't get used. If you only use 46.87 of a $50 gift card, chances are that those few unused dollars will never be used.

Many cards limit where you can shop. For instance, I have been given quite a few cards for Starbucks. I do not drink coffee or anything else from Starbucks. I have re- gifted some of the cards, and some cards just kinda got lost. Someone wasted their money buying the cards.

Sometimes the cards expire before they're used and inactivity fees are charged until the balance is zero.

I recently found a drawer with a few unused gift cards in it, I have no idea how old they are and if they're any good.

I am sure the business who issue the cards like them. They make money on them when they're not redeemed.

According to CNN, Americans have lost 21 BILLION dollars in lost or unspent gift cards.

I always give cash and prefer to receive cash as a gift. It will always be used.

Re: Why I Am a Fan of Gift Cards

On It — Tue, 24 Oct 2023 15:36:16 GMT

Random gift cards have no appeal to me. The only two I value are Starbucks and a Visa/Master Card. I find I do not enjoy many places that include other people's favorite restaurants or retail stores.

When my husband retired he received hundreds of dollars in gift cards. We gave the vast majority away. We did use Red Lobster because its sister restaurants would honor the cards. I never shopped and will never spend a penny on Amazon, so those are of no use.

If you are familiar with the individual and know their habits, specific gift cards for each individual can work. For a co-worker, I would get a Visa/Master card.

Re: Why I Am a Fan of Gift Cards

phoenixbrd — Tue, 24 Oct 2023 15:39:46 GMT

It's your intention that counts. Clearly you are a giving and thoughtful person.

It makes me happy to give a gift even if only a gift card, if it is well received great but I'm not unhappy if it is not.

Re: Why I Am a Fan of Gift Cards

VanSleepy — Tue, 24 Oct 2023 15:52:35 GMT

I prefer to receive gift cards over cash or a gift unless I specifically asked for that gift. I give them sometimes, too, but not to any specific place, except Amazon if I know you shop there a lot.

Re: Why I Am a Fan of Gift Cards

BostonMommy — Tue, 24 Oct 2023 16:01:01 GMT

I love getting gift cards. Especially for my local grocery & gas store, I use them up.

I also like to give them mostly Amazon gift cards.

Every year the Military base where my husband works. Asks for donations to do gift baskets for Military families who are in need of a little extra T.L.C. . Childrens gifts and gift cards are always on the list of suggestions to donate.

Re: Why I Am a Fan of Gift Cards

ninjawife — Tue, 24 Oct 2023 16:02:46 GMT

I give gift cards along with other gifts to open to my adult children. I like giving them the option of picking something out for themselves that they might not buy for themselves. Oldest DD will be getting a gift card to Chewy so she can spoil her new dog. She will also get a Visa gift card to spend on herself. Youngest DD loves make up and beauty products so she always gets a Sephora or Ulta gift card as well as a Visa gift card.

I also give a gift card to my goddaughter's daughter. I don't see them often so I have no idea what else to buy her.

When I saw students at my job, I appreciated getting gift cards as someone said I don't need more mugs, candles or knick knacks. I did not mind getting a disposible gifts like soap etc.

Re: Why I Am a Fan of Gift Cards

busymom22 — Tue, 24 Oct 2023 16:16:10 GMT

I love gift cards because I am a practical person and have a very specific taste for things.

When I was a teacher I appreciated any gift, but honestly with my low salary I used to wish a parent would have given me a $5 gc to Starbucks instead of spending the same for a dollar store mug filled with candy. That sounds ungrateful I know but Starbucks was a splurge for me and it would have been much more appreciated than a mug I'd toss. I also agree homemade food was "iffy" so most of the time it was tossed.

A gift card to me feels more personal and less tacky than cash, especially if it's not a gift given beween close family members. Cash from Grandma is fine, cash from a neighbor or friendly acquaintance feels strange.

Re: Why I Am a Fan of Gift Cards

shoptilyadropagain — Tue, 24 Oct 2023 16:16:10 GMT

I love receiving them and giving them. When giving gift cards, I try to choose someplace that has a wide variety of items to choose from (Amazon, Target) or else I'll get a VISA gift card. I don't give restaurant gift cards if I don't know whether the person likes that restaurant. If I know they frequent a particular restaurant, I'll sometimes give that card.

Re: Why I Am a Fan of Gift Cards

Marsha2003 — Tue, 24 Oct 2023 16:32:28 GMT

I am appreciative of any gift I receive. I would rather give cash or a check rather than a gift card because it's easier for the recipient to use. I will buy a few Starbucks cards for the postal carrier and UPS driver. I suppose I could give them Amazon cards instead. Thanks for that suggestion.

Re: Why I Am a Fan of Gift Cards

threecees — Tue, 24 Oct 2023 16:44:11 GMT

I like gift cards most of the time. Some pile up in my purse and I don't

often use them as quickly as I'd like.

My kids usually get Amazon gift cards given to them every Christmas.

Yes, its still a present but as they grow older I guess nobody wants to

actually give them something that might not fit or to their liking so the

same givers think let them pick out what they want but we still have a

few from previous years and I know the next ones will be on their way

soon.

The cards sit for a while cause we usually have enough of everything

and I say to them don't use them just to use them if you don't need

anything right now. I am grateful because it is still a nice, generous

gift.