Is a gift certificate a good gift?

Question

Or is it too impersonal?

Answer 1

Many many people like them. I

On the other hand... It can be viewed as a gift given to someone from someone saying "Here, I don't know what to get you so go figure it out yourself".

I think it makes the giver of the gift look rather like a deadhead, someone who won't take the time or can't pick out simple gift for someone they care about.

Answer 2

That is the point it is easy and impersonal. gift cards are good for co-workers, or the person you draw to buy a gift for. I find it offensive for someone who knows me to buy me a gift certificate unless they know I am looking for a certain gift ( that is too expensive for someone else to buy you) and they buy it at that location. Then the card means a lot because of what they write to you. Young adults love gift certificates so that is not so impersonal because what every you buy them they will in all likely hood take it back. Young adults, ( by that I mean teenagers and early to mid 20's) are busy discovering who they are and they do not normally have a lot of extra cash. This way if you give American express gift certificates they can buy what ever they need. (IE) food, books, clothes, make up,shoes, and even pay some bills with it. So then the gift certificate is a blessing in disguise for them and it does not hurt their pride. SO TO ANSWER YOUR question it depends on who you are buying for.

Answer 3

It depends. If you don't really know the person, it's great (but make sure that he likes the store): it's better than giving that person a gift he doesn't like.

If you're an adult and you're supposed to buy a gift for a nephew or a niece, and don't really know what to buy, I think it's also a good idea.

It's a good idea for a lot of people. if you know a person is crazy about books, get one from a library: tell the person you didn't know what type of books she liked or what she already has, so you preferred to give her the choice (I'm giving you that example because I'm always getting books I don't like! I try to read them, but sometimes I can't finish them...). Same for everything: DVDs, decorating stuff, etc.

Answer 4

Usually its a bit like saying Im too lazy to think of a gift so this was easier. So if a gift card is the way to go - give it in a little arrangement of sorts- with some chocolate or go to a few places- movies, coffee shops, restaurants etc and get a cheaper gift card from each one say $5 and put them together to show a bit more thought.

Answer 5

I only get one person I know a gift certificate. And it's only because nothing is ever good enough to accept. Instead of getting mad because she took it back and got the money, she gave it away to another friend as a gift, or she just gave it back to me because I didn't have the receipt, I just get her a gift card. That way she can buy what ever she wishes.

Answer 6

A gift certificate is a great gift, so you don't have to pick something out inparticular for anyone. This relieves a lot of pressure from you and from the gift reciever.

Answer 7

Gift cirtificates are good for the stores that issue them, considering there are still 23 million gift cards that haven't been redeemed from last Christmas, for a total of over nine hundred and eighty million dollars, and as for the cards that have been partially redeemed consumers are likely still holding on to another nine billion dollars of unredeemed value on their cards. I wonder what percentage of these gift cards will never be redeemed.

Answer 8

I have mixed feelings about giving gift cards, but have done so when I haven't been able to come up with anything better. One thing to check for before buying one is whether it has an expiry date. Some do, and their lifespan can be pretty short.

Answer 9

Gift cards are the best kind of gifts to receive.

Answer 10

depends on the person you're giving it to and your relationship to them....they can be great gifts, but they can also be impersonal