@Sooner wrote:
Especially in today's world with issues with food allergies, all the junk we all have, special diets and likes and dislikes, I still think a gift card, even a $5 one, or a nice thank-you card are the only sensible choices.
People give coffee mugs and coffee--and a LOT of us don't drink coffee, or eat gluten, or nuts, or someone they love can't be near nuts, or whatever. Just give a simple gift card so they can be thrilled to get some little something they want and will love.
Gift giving is for the recipient--not to make the gift giver look creative or be satisfied. I will admit to you that back when I was young and new to adult gift giving, a very LONG time ago, I would worry and worry about getting people something special (to show how creative and thoughtful I could be), or something "they wouldn't buy themselves" or "hadn't thought of" etc. So after a few big bombs, I FINALLY figured out I was getting someone a gift that reflected how creative I was. I am ashamed to admit that, but thereafter I have given gift cards or simple, non-creative gifts that people want. I got that from my mother, who was fixated on surprising and amazing people with gifts. Some were PRETTY bizarre. LOL!!! I will say people were sometimes VERY surprised!
If they have a collection of 1,000 ceramic owls, and love owls, I'll get them the 1,001st owl! I guess I can look back and laugh, but it is hard for me to admit that. . .
I think gift giving has changed very much over the years. Gift cards were frowned on a long time ago, but I think those days are over, especially for people who are not immediate family or very very close friends you know well. I have taken the pressure off myself about that!
@Sooner
I was exactly like you in years gone by. I loved the planning, the hunt, and the creative outlet. And for some people on my gift list, that I know really well, that is still the way I go (and very successfully).
But for those on the fringe of my life (like teachers) I learned to cut out all the 'stuff' and give them what I saw them really appreciate, and that was requested books for their classroom or gift cards to buy things for the classroom.
Once I headed the $5 per student collection at Christmas and bought the teacher a $100 Q gift card, but only because I knew she loved to shop here.
In general, I'm a bit cautious with gift cards with people I don't know really well. I've received some over the years that were of absolutely no use to me, like Starbucks, never go there, don't drink coffee or tea, just not interested, and some from restaurants that we never frequent.
So even with gift cards, people have to be aware that just assuming 'everyone' loves them, and is happy to get one from anywhere, just isn't true, and you need to know enough about the person you're buying for before you gift just any old card.
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