why do people get offended when you give cash in lieu of a gift card/certificate?

Question

i hate buying gifts but i like to give. i would rather give cash but have caught 3 shades of hades from friends/family when i do this. they say gift cards are more fun/personal.
i say the cards are a waste. CASH does not expire, CASH does not pigeon hole you into shopping at one store and CASH does not charge you a fee for having in your wallet for a while.
what do you think?

Answer 1

When you friends and family buy you something you like, they have invested time in getting you a worthy product. When you don't and give them cash, it is as good as saying "I don't care about you". If you think you might not hit the right gift, my suggestion would be to purchase some gift and also give them the receipt for it. They can use it as is or exchange it to something they like. Either way, it will work well for you and you will be in their good books since you invested your time for them.

A small variation would be to provide the receipt after a day and tell them to exchange if they Have something else in mind. Here, the impact is much better since they would appreciate your thoughtfulness.

Answer 2

I, personally, don't mind cash, as I tend to save a lot of money rather than spend it. However, many people do, and the obvious, and oft-repeated answer, "cash is impersonal", hinges on a few things. A gift card represents: effort (instead of just reaching into your pocket a few minutes before giving the gift), and some thoughtfulness (or at least not "thoughtlessness"; you had to put some time and thought into choosing which gift card to buy). People interpret these two things as meaning that you care more, whether or not that's actually the truth.

However, aside from the obvious "cash is impersonal" answer, I think there are a few other reasons why gift cards might be preferred.

1. When you buy a gift card, you designate the way in which the "money" will be spent. Everyone has personal spending habits, and if you give them plain cash, they'll just spend it the way they spend the rest of their money. In a way, gifts are a way of providing somebody with something new and novel that they wouldn't buy themselves. A lot of people tend to put off "perks" for themselves, so things like a clothing store gift certificate or a free massage will often help that person do something for his or herself that he or she otherwise wouldn't do. This is similar to giving a child a college fund - it's just money, but it is structured to ensure that the recipient does something beneficial with it.

2. The gift-giving process is really a two-way exchange: the receiver of the gift will "forever" associate you (the gift giver) with that item or experience. Over the years (if it's a good gift) they'll look at the gift every now and then and think of you and, especially for sentimental people, this can cultivate good warm feelings of security, nostalgia, and friendship. A gift card isn't exactly the same as a gift, but it's similar because they can easily associate the gift card with the gift, and so it will be "your" gift, even though the person chose the item or thing themselves.

3. It is customary in our culture to not judge gifts based on their monetary value, but instead their value "in the eye of the beholder". That's why we usually take price tags off of the gifts we give. Cash only has functional value, no emotional value to speak of, so it removes that "eye of the beholder aspect". It also allows gifts to be compared. If one friend gives you $20 and another gives you $40, the latter friend's gift would be more valuable to you. This comparison wouldn't be possible with non-monetary gifts (except for in odd circumstances).

4. Cash is perhaps the most easily substituted gift. Although we all certainly get some degree of satisfaction from cash, there's nothing that "special" about receiving cash. Part of the joy of receiving gifts seems to be the novelty and surprise of getting something that one didn't expect.

Anyways, those are just some of my thoughts. That said, I'll gladly take some investment money over a new set of tupperware anyday.

Answer 3

People like attention. Buying cards or gifts require putting some thought into it. This shows to the person receiving it that you care. Gifting cash is seen as a sign of you not caring or lacking the will to put some thought for the person receiving it.

However, you can reach out for middle ground and gift pre-paid certificates, perhaps for a music store or mall, instead of cash.

Personally, I'd rather receive cash.

Answer 4

Depends on the people and culture. In Asian society it is expected to receive cash. At my wedding, I received only gifts from the American guests and only cash from the Asian guests. When I give gifts, I try to keep in mind if they've always given me cash or a gift and do so accordingly.

We did get a few of those visa credit cards with money on them from some Americans. This was great and seemed to be middle ground.

Answer 5

Cash is very useful and everyone wants it... however it makes people feel like you just didn't bother to spend the time picking out a special gift. It's much better to get something that took thought and effort on the part of the giver, even if it's not a gift that you wanted. That whole "thought that counts" thing is so true.

Answer 6

I agree, and I don't mind getting cash at all.
Maybe they think that if you give cash you can just forget to buy anything and then pull some money out of your wallet when you get to the party, whereas if you give a gift card you actually have to think about what sort of store they like and then drive out there and buy it for them.

Answer 7

I think giving/getting cash is great. This way they can pick out what they want and not have to return your gift if they do not like it or if it's the wrong size. Besides, it takes the worry and hastle out of Christmas shopping for the giver. Also, if I get cash, I can take advantage of the after-Christmas sales. However, I wouldn't want cash from my boyfriend if it was the only thing he gave me. That would not be cool. lol

Answer 8

Because cash means you didn't take time to care. There is no personal touch. With a gift card, you at least pick something and take time to get it. The saying is "It's the thought that counts".

Answer 9

I think that people see cash as a cop-out gift that people give when they don't want to spend the time and energy to get a "real" gift. I think that you've listed a number of reasons why this is not true.

Answer 10

there's no thank you to try this, sorry. you won't be in a position to pop out and ask for money, yet you may say 'no presents please.' on your case it appears that evidently such as you do choose the money, so which you do not prefer to decline presents and that i don't blame you. you may in all probability anticipate ninety 9% of your wedding ceremony travellers giving money or assessments besides, that's what surpassed off at my wedding ceremony. I have been given 3 framed presents and something have been envelopes, so i did not could desire to %. up a carload of presents to take abode. I by no skill convey a modern to a marriage, I continually basically write a examine or provide a modern card because of the fact it quite is a soreness to haul a modern bag to the reception, and it quite is a soreness for the bride & groom to could desire to %. it abode on the tip of the evening. i think of if your travellers are conscious you're leaving the rustic, which will save them from procuring you presents and you gets money rather.