Do you find it offensive to recieve Gift Cards as a Christmas or Birthday gift? Would you give them as a gift?

Question

Reason being, I am content with recieving gift cards. I would rather buy for myself than people going out getting me something I don't like or I'm not going to use. Not trying to be mean, but if you're gonna spend the money, don't you wanna make sure I enjoy it? Anyway, I had mentioned something to my sister about it and she wouldn't give me a gift card because she felt it was impersonal, and my mom wouldn't because she wanted me to be able to open something on Christmas morning. I loved my sister's gift but everything else I got was crap, and I can't take the stuff back. So next year I want to make sure they know that I don't want stuff, just gift cards. Do you think they will listen?

BTW it's not like I am ungrateful, but it's like they didn't even try. Who get's a 25 year old a quilt rack? I don't even own a quilt!!!!! My point is, if you don't want to get me anything, that's fine, I really wouldn't care. But if you're going to bother to spend the money, don't spend it on a quilt rack!!!

Answer 1

Hope so. I know what you mean! My grandmother spends at least 100 on clothing I would never wear that generally goes up for donation or in my Halloween box.I know, some will think you are ungrateful but come on, if you're gonna get a gift make sure you know the person well enough to do so[ ask for a list if you have to]. If you feel the need to make it personal, buy us some damn socks!

Btw- getting a gift that someone doesn't like is more insulting. Think about it...You don't know them well enough to get them something they like? Why bother.

Answer 2

my sister just had a baby, I got her a shower gift I knew she could use, but for the birth and christmas I got wal mart gift cards....sometimes it's just more practical. I mean...I'm not about to give her a pack of diapers as a christmas gift for the baby, but if that's what she needs then great! I actually asked for gift cards to a clothing store I used to work at and get a 50% discount. It was great because since I gave up the discount I haven't bought anything new out of my money......sometimes they are the perfect and more practical gift. Don't be shy to ask if someone would prefer a gift or money.....and be considerate of what stores are best. Most important for ANY gift giving is don't ask if you don't care or intend to listen! Good luck telling them for next year just tell them you'd appreciate it more (whatever you want) that should get their attention

Answer 3

I don't mind getting gift cards and such but I agree with your sister, they are very impersonal so I usually don't give them to people unless I know they will be better off with them. Like my brother was outta work for a month and half just recently so I got him a gift card so they can buy **** for the house and what not, instead of getting them some cheesey crap they don't really need. But yeah...I know what ya mean...my whole thing is...if you don't know what to get me, don't get me anything....and we'll save on spending money for no reason :)

Answer 4

Gift cards are not the lazy way out unless your getting them for your wife or husband. Gift cards are a great way to let someone pick out their own gift. At times if we buy a gift and the person does not like it, they will A. keep it not to hurt your feelings, B. Never get around to returning it, or C they are not returnable, Now you give them a Gift Card and they can go when they have time, and buy what they need or really want. The best ideas are to give gift cards with VISA or MC logo's on them so your not stuck using it just at the GAP or TARGET as an example. Might want to mention that if you want if not I am sure if you really put it through their head and say pls give me gift cards instead i am sure they will listen, hope this helps

Answer 5

I love gift cards, but I hardly ever get them.

I do agree that they can be impersonal, especially if you're getting them from your close family but there's away around the gift card thing and you still can make sure you get something you want too.

It might sound silly, because I'm 20...21 in January, but I make a Christmas list and pass it out. I make sure it's really long so they can pick out any gift they want from the list and I'm still surprised at what I get, but I know I'm getting things I like.

I actually started doing it because my family could never remember the games or movies or books I wanted.

Answer 6

I agree 100%!

I hate when people say gifts cards show a lack of creativity and yada yada... I'd rather receive a gift card than have to go exchange everything because the person didn't get my size right, or because I already owned the same CD, etc...

If people decide to give a gift card, they still have to make the effort to find out what stores you like to shop at, and that's something... And it's still better than receiving plain money (although I'm never one to complain!).

Answer 7

i think that people shouldn't ask what someone wants for Christmas and then get them something totally different. i think that gift cards are great for someone to give if they don't care if the receiver knows how much they spent.i guess the only thing you can do if they dont listen is return the gifts for store credit. it sucks pretending to like a gift when you actually hate it.maybe you'll get a gift card to a quilt store to put your rack to use.

Answer 8

i love getting gift cards, it lets me go shopping w/o the worry of spending money that i should save, its wonderful. On the other hand i do enjoy a gift that had thought put into it. i got a little gift from my kid brother because it reminded him of my favorite bilboard. i loved it. but my grandparents got me gift cards and that was much better than the china doll or the tree ornament that i usually get.

so if someone is not going to put thought in a gift, or just plain doesn't know what to give then it would be best to get a gift card

I dont know if they'll listen, i don't know what they're like. but good luck and i hope you get good results

Answer 9

I completely agree. On the receiving end, it can feel impersonal, like you don't know the person well enough to know what they like...cash is still better. I prefer to give/receive cash unless it is an UNBELIEVABLY compatible gift...doesn't have to be all that fun or cool, just fit the person. But gift card is still slightly more personal...a good way to cash in your gift card is to go buy a pack of gum or something cheaper (if you can find it) and ask for your change in cash.

Answer 10

I love gift cards. Sometimes women are very picky about things such as clothes so it's better off just getting a gift card and buying something they want as opposed to something their just going to bring back. Maybe you can ask your family to do the majority of gifts in gift cards, but also tell them they can get regular presents also.