Real gift or gift card?

Question

Do you prefer receiving gift card for birthday or an actual gift?
Do you think that's not being thoughtful if you give a gift card for someone's birthday instead of picking out an actual gift?

Answer 1

I appreciate either. My relatives actually ask what I want when they give me gifts, so I give them a list of possible things. However, sometimes things are hard to find, or are too specific for them to figure out what it is, so they just give me a gift card to the store where I could find the item. However, I know my relatives like giving actual gifts more than money or gift cards. Sometimes, though, if I can't think of anything, I'll just name stores that I know I'll shop at, and they get gift cards from one of those stores. (They prefer giving gift cards over money.) I'm the same way, too. If I give someone something, I'd prefer to give the person an actual gift because it means more and it seems more thoughtful.

If relatives aren't like mine, and don't receive a list, they probably are unsure what to get someone. If you're not especially close to your relatives/friends, and they don't know what to get you, they'd probably rather get you something over money. At least if they try to get you a gift card, it shows they tried. Sometimes, it's hard to know exactly what to get people, but you might have an idea of where they would shop or what they would like. (Although, in all honesty, it can suck to get a gift card from a place you don't shop at. Then you're forced to spend $20+ on things you're not especially interested in.)

Answer 2

Most of the time I prefer an actual gift, but there are times where I would rather have a gift card.
When I want a gift card: when I want clothes, when the giver doesn't really know me well enough to know want I like, when the giver has a habit of giving bad gifts.

Answer 3

I personally like receiving gifts better than gift cards, but I have gotten and given it once in a while. I guess it depends on the person. The best gifts are those you know someone will love, but would never buy themselves.

Answer 4

prefer gift cards but the ones from credit card companies because they can be used anywhere. the only reson i'd give some one a gift is if i know exactly what they want or at least have a good idea.

Answer 5

Doesn't matter. A gift card has its advantageous. An actual gift is good if you know that's what the birthday boy/girl really wants rather than actually lamely exclaiming, "I've actually always wanted that".

Answer 6

I say if you can't find that 'special' gift, just do the gift card and let the person pick out their own gift.

Answer 7

If they don't know me well enough to give me a gift, I would prefer a gift card....but PLEASE ask my GF or someone close to me where to get a gift card from for me!

I hate to get gift cards to places I never shop...like Bath N BodyWorks when I'd rather have one from Home Depot.

Answer 8

I have been given all forms of present enjoying cards. Now that i'm residing on my own, it is now extraordinarily lots present enjoying cards. I have been given 3 $15 Starbucks present enjoying cards, 2 $20 giftcards to activities authority, one $25 to foot locker, and 3 American show enjoying cards for $25. the only element I have been on condition that wasn't a modern-day card became the flicks "Gran Torino", "The final Samurai", and "Rocky" a million, 2, and 3 from my mom and pop, which became extraordinarily effective. yet, greater present enjoying cards.

Answer 9

gift card

Answer 10

I'd prefer someone giving me a gift...