Gift Cards. You either like them or you don't.
And for the record, I don't mind getting them and I don't mind giving them ... for certain situations.
What I don't like though and what is a bit of a holiday pet peeve of mine, is when people ask for gift cards. It is a family joke in fact as when I ask relatives for gift ideas, they respond by saying "I know you don't like to give gift cards but ..."
See, if I choose to give a gift card, that's fine, but if I ask for ideas and the response is various gift cards, it kind of feels like I'm being asked to forgo picking something personal and to instead just provide cash.
I mean come on, I'm not 70 years old, I'm nobody's great aunt, I am in contact with anyone I buy for on a regular basis, yes I am a stay-at-home-mom but that doesn't mean I'm not exposed to current pop culture and I don't live in a cave ( ... although there was that period of time we did not have cable? ...). I do have gift-giving abilities you know!
And just to be clear, gift cards do come into play for me sometimes - there are people on my list that are tough to buy for and if I get totally stumped - sure, those far away that shipping is a consideration - gift cards are perfect, individuals I like to surprise with something small and unexpected, absolutely, why not?
So here's my proposal to all my friends and family, as my 3-year-old son would say, "this is the deal": next year give me some real ideas and I will be sure to get a gift receipt just in case my present picking is not to your satisfaction. But I'm pretty confident in my selection process so I don't think you'll need it.
Happy Holidays whether you're a gift card giver, getter or choose not to 'er.
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four things | twelve (Christmas edition)
2 days ago
I don't mind giving giftcards, and sometimes they can really help get things knocked off your list, but I do hate being asked for them. I agree, it is like you are just being asked for money while having your gift-giving abilities being challenged. I do like to give giiftcards to my daughters nursery school teachers. I know they get a lot of candles/body shop stuff so I think they appreciate the giftcards so they can score on some boxing day sales.
ReplyDeleteI love gift cards. However, I'm kind of the opposite. I would prefer to get a gift card when I ask for one as opposed to just at the gifter's choice. For some reason I think "what...you couldn't think of anything for me?"
ReplyDeleteI might be weird like that.
Either way - I have no issues with gift cards. I'd actually rather see less 'lists' and more 'thought' in gift giving. My family all does lists and it is starting to feel like someone else is telling me what groceries to buy.
Oh - there's the chocolate milk I wanted. Thanks.
I understand the need for lists of 'wishes' but for me I feel like it has gone too far.
For example - I picked up something NOT on my MIL's list and I panicked for a while that she might be upset we didn't get her exactly what she asked for.
But I saw this, thought of her and truly wanted to give it to her. So there. Isn't that closer to the spirit?
Wow - what a rambling comment. Sorry!
Thanks for your comments ladies!
ReplyDeleteFor the record, I don't mind gift cards, when I choose to give. I have many occasions I love to give them and I'm never opposed to getting them.
For me,it's more about when I'm asked for them. I don't like that.
Life Begins: Totally agree with the lists. Too far. General ideas, a few wishy items, but not a shopping list that needs to be filled to the nth degree. If someone asks, I usually give 2 or three areas of interest/ideas, but only when asked. I am not a fan of the long lists ... especially when they only consist of gift cards (my pet peeve).
Jennie: perfect for teachers - absolutely.
One other reason I sometimes don't like gift cards - ppl know exactly know how much you spend and it doesn't allow you to get something great on sale that was regular priced what you would have spent and save a few dollars (especially with this year's sales).