She says that nothing beats actually picking out a real present for someone. The trouble is, what if this person is someone who has everything and you don't know what they would want or need? I say in that case a giftcard would be fine. Mom says tacky tacky tacky. (I'm speaking of Christmas presents in case you want to know). We've got 23 people to buy for and the budget is tight this year so I think gift cards are ok for adults. The kids we would get toys for. Whatcha think about it?
2006-10-17 12:02:54 · 44 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
Gift cards aren't tacky; they're realistic. I'd far rather get a gift card than some dopey present that I can't even use. For instance, people who try to buy clothes for me never get it right. Wow, what a nice gift...a drawer full of tacky, ill-fitting clothing that I couldn't wear even if I wanted to. Who wants presents that you'll just end up hauling off to the Salvation Army eventually? Gift cards are great. That way, the recipient can actually get something useful, for a change.
2006-10-17 12:13:20 · answer #1 · answered by solarius 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Cash in the amount of a gift card in a card would be fine if you do not know what to purchase. However, a gift card limits where they are able to shop. I would not find this to be tacky, however, some people are very funny. So just make sure you are aware of the personality of the person you are giving the suggested cash gift to or the gift card if you know they wont mind or feel insulted go for it. However, truly the person should be gratful you even thought about them at all, it is really about the fact that you even thought to give them something. good luck and God bless
2006-10-17 14:57:04 · answer #2 · answered by ? 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Wow! 23 people to buy gifts for? Why?
Can you draw names instead? Set a price and then buy a suitable gift from a wish list, perhaps?
If that doesn't go over, I can certainly understand why you would want to buy gift cards. I think you're right about buying toys for the kids (something to unwrap).
Since the money is tight, can you let some of the family and friends know that you're cutting back this year? Adult should understand. Maybe budgets are tight for others as well?
I received gift cards in the past and I am fine with that. In fact, I have asked for gift cards. My friends comply. It's not a big deal for me or my husband. Go for it.
2006-10-17 14:11:07 · answer #3 · answered by Lizzie 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
To me it depends upon the giver and the recepient.
Apparently etiquette says that they are tacky. But not as tacky as some of the gifts I've received. Both my wife and I prefer to receive cash or gift cards from our parents and grandparents. Mine aren't so bad at gift giving, but her's are. Her grandfather actually gave our son coffee for his third christmas.
We generally give the kids toys, and make up small, but thoughtful gift baskets for our parents and grandparents that contain mostly food and pictures. Anyone else pretty much gets gift cards, though we are thoughtful about from where - IE, the book lover gets a Bookstore giftcard, while the teenagers get a music store card, etc. We never, ever give everyone the same gift card. Sometimes we'll wrap them along with small gifts, like candy.
In your case, I would give your mother a gift and anyone else you think may give you are hard time about a gift card being tacky, and then give the rest a gift card they can use.
2006-10-17 12:17:25 · answer #4 · answered by Chris H 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It depends on the situation. I use these guidelines:
If I'm close with the person(s) then.. it's no trouble finding out what they like or want (and yes this can be achieved on a budget).So, buying presents is reserved for only close friends and family. Whereas, people I'm not close with definitely receive gift cards. This is not tacky or a cope out, It's SMART! Find out what stores or restaurants they like to shop or at best make an educated guess. It's my opinion that giving something is better than giving nothing. They'll be appreciative as long as the gift cards are presented tactfully. Make sense? People rarely remember what you bought them.... They remember how you made them feel.
I hope this helps!!
2006-10-17 12:29:04 · answer #5 · answered by Trish 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Giftcards are fine. Not tacky at all, I don't think.
However, this is just a suggestion:
If things are tight, why not buy some supplies and make your gifts? With giftcards, people know exactly how much you were willing to spend on them. But if you're crafty enough, you can MAKE something that looks like it cost 20+ dollars, while getting away with only spending five or ten dollars. I am a photographer, and I print off 5x7 photos from my portfolio (They only cost about 50 cents each) and put them in simple, clearanced picture frames. People are always saying "Oh, it's too much! You shouldn't have!" If only they knew that I spent five bucks on their gift.
I realize that not everyone has a trillion photos sitting on their hard drive, just waiting to be developed, but there are other options. Go to your local craft store and see all the possibilites!
2006-10-17 12:14:14 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
All depends on who you're buying for. If it's a close friend, then you may wanna buy a gift, cause it's more meaning full and they will appreciate it. But other than that i think gift cards are great ideas. i would much rather get gift cards from co-workers, that way i can get what i want...the only problem with that is that, they will know exactly how much you spent on them. Unless it's a set price that everyone decided (like at work or something), it might be difficult figuring out how much to give people, so that they don't think that you;re cheap :). we've all done it.
2006-10-17 12:10:15 · answer #7 · answered by suuperman420 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think gift cards are a great gift. They can choose what they want from that store. But you have to get one from a store of their interest. I understand your mother's opinion though. A gift card is less personal and when you recieve a gift card it doesn;t seem like much. That is, until I get to the store and buy all the stuff I want. It's value and meaning to the person recieving it is less than another kind of gift. But hey, just buy a card and put it with the gift card. There's the personal touch and makes it less tacky.
2006-10-17 12:20:21 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Myself, I would rather receive a gift that someone has chosen for me. And if I felt I needed to give someone a gift, I would definitly go shopping for that gift. I just think that a gift should be personal, and should show that you gave some thought when buying it. When I receive a gift card it makes me feel like the person that gave it to me just felt a sense of obligation and did not really care enough to put a little thought into it. In other words, they really did not want to give the gift in the first place.
2006-10-17 12:27:54 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
My mom says the same thing! I personally don't give them because I've been taught this by my mom as well BUT I love getting gift cards so I think it's a great idea. Of course for adults only. Kids love opening the gifts.
2006-10-17 12:06:15 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋