Community Chat

[Carmie]

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.  

[On It]

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.

[phoenixbrd]

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.    

[VanSleepy]

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.

[BostonMommy]

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.

[ninjawife]

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. 

[busymom22]

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.

[shoptilyadropagain]

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.  

[Marsha2003]

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.

[threecees]

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.