Gift cards

BC&LM · December 2013

I saw a thread on gift cards on the July boards and was wondering what you ladies think. What is your opinion on gift cards as gifts? Do you think they are always a good gift? Sometimes? Never? Do you enjoy getting them?

amberdt03 · December 2013

I think they're a good gift. I'd much rather someone give me a gift card, than try to buy clothes for me. That's pretty much what I use gift cards for.

tiffletons518 · December 2013

It can be. I will never complain about a Target gift card. I also love getting one for the salon I go to.

BC&LM · December 2013

I think gift cards are appropriate for gift giving occasions where only one party is giving a gift: weddings, baby showers, etc. However, I think it's really stupid when people exchange gifts for Christmas, and they both get each other gift cards. Why not just keep the money in that case? It's like one person is handing $50 to the other, and that person is handing the same $50 right back.

I enjoyed getting gift cards for our wedding, baby shower, and my birthday in the past. If I get one for Christmas, I will spend it, but I would so much rather have an actual gift for Christmas, especially when I take the time to purchase that person a nice gift.

Junemom2013 · December 2013

I don't mind them if they are for places I use. I always get my grandparents gift cards cause they are impossible to buy for!

Monkeybutt80 · December 2013

I think a gift card is a lesser form of cash so I rather receive cash over gift card. but I rather get a gift card than some ugly sweater that may not fit properly.

On the other hand, I do use them a lot for gifts. Basically whenever it is a situation that cash may be somewhat inappropriate (or where cash transactions are not the norm), I use gift cards. For example, people that work for me, and our daycare teachers, I get them gift cards for Christmas. My hairdresser and cleaning ladies get cash for Christmas.

phishgirl29 · December 2013

Junemom2013 said:

I don't mind them if they are for places I use. I always get my grandparents gift cards cause they are impossible to buy for!

I give my grandfather a grocery store gift card every Christmas/birthday/Father's Day. He always says that he has everything he could ever want except for his next meal.

Cricket81 · December 2013

I agree that they are more appropriate when only one person is receiving gifts. If it's a time like Christmas, I feel like the gift card should be combined with something that required at least a little more thought and effort. Like if I were going to give my brother a gift card to help furnish his new apartment I would try to wrap it with a pair of mugs or some towels or at least something little I thought he would like/need.

NicoleReed0324 · December 2013

I like getting gift cards from people that suck at picking out gifts for me hahaha Like my MIL does not really get my style at all. And she knows this. So I love getting them from her. My dad always buys them for us as like a bonus gift to whatever my mom picked out for us haha It is cute. Its like he wants to pick out something too!

JANCANDANCE · December 2013

I give them but always with something else that you can use with the gift cards. Like a movie gift card and I stuff it with candy, popcorn, 3D glasses. Or like Williams Sonoma, I will get a gift card and maybe a loaf pan and a recipe with a few of the ingredients already included. But I love giving gifts! I also love Ben! He is a cutie.

TheTamedShrew · December 2013

I love gift cards because otherwise I can never justify shopping for myself these days. I would much rather give/receive the opportunity to buy something you love then to give/get something you might like or might shove in the back of a closet. If you're going to buy into the commercialism of Christmas, then at least get your money's worth.