I have mixed feelings about this (I know, you’re shocked by that revelation!) I have a couple of teens on my gift buying list. When I was a teen, gift certificates (cards where not a reality at that point) were rare and I really just wanted cash to go and buy what I wanted, when I wanted it. The teens I’m buying for want for nothing and like to shop, so gift cards are “da bomb” (yeah, I know, I’m so UN-hip!)

I also have persons on my list who have specifically requested gift cards to specific stores, so if that’s what they want…

Of course in an ideal world we could all give each other the “perfect” gift but in this day and age, the “perfect” gift for someone just might be a gift card or two.

That said, I’m all about Kate’s little check writing party, except without the eggnog, silk or otherwise, that’s just gross!

I’d much rather give a gift card to say, one of my grown nephews than to try to attempt to get something for them they would like. My in laws are notorious for not saying what they want for Christmas. I ask and ask and they won’t tell me nothing. I don’t want to get some sort of of gift, for anybody, that will “do”. If it’s a situation where I’m totally stumped and the recipient is no help, it’s a gift card or money.

I’m getting trash cans for Christmas from my mother! How’s that for personal?

I would love gift cards for Christmas. As one who lives paycheck to paycheck and has a house full of clutter already, there would be nothing more wonderful than a gift card to Kroger or Target…or Sonic.

Think about it: I have no taste whatsoever in clothes. My wife has WONDERFUL tast in clothes, and she likes getting clothes as gifts. So, which is better: give her something I know she will take back (and the uncomfortableness of the whole situation), or give her the ability to pick out what she wants the first time?

Also, y’all have heard me from time to time bragging on Omaha Steaks. I was going to give my parents a big cooler of meat this Christmas, but it would have to be delivered BEFORE Christmas, ruining any surprise; I may stil do it, I’m not sure. But an Omaha Steaks gift card sure seems like a great alternative.

I prefer cash, but gift cards will work too. Some people are good about buying gifts for other people, some of us, are effing horrible at it, and I’d rather someone think I didn’t put a lot of thought into a gift, than pay for something they don’t want, and probably won’t ever use.

When was the last time a gift card was the wrong size, the wrong color, something you already had or something you absolutely hate?

‘Nuf said.

Slarti, I gave my dad an Omaha gift card last year and this year he said that was the only thing he wanted.

My parents already have everything they want or need. But they do enjoy going out to dinner a couple of times a week. So I buy them an assortment of gift cards to area restaurants and they love it. Also, my mother-in-law and her sister are in the same boat. I get Wal-Mart cards for them because that’s how they get out and socialize. Makes me shudder, personally, but if that’s what makes them happy, I’m all for it!

After several years of very disastrous Christmas gifts from my husband, he hit perfection last year.

He went around asking most of the women he knew about whether or not they would rather get gift cards or actual gifts for Christmas- it was about 50/50. One woman asked if I liked to shop. He told her I did, and she said to give gift cards- it’s giving the gift of shopping.

So he gave me some actual gifts and some gift cards, to places I love to shop, but rarely will spend at, like Victoria’s Secret, etc. And he kept the kids with *him* so I could go spend them. It worked out really well. Hopefully if we have the money to get each other gifts this year, he’ll do the same as last year.

Invoking the teen clause on gift cards, too.

I see the point but nevertheless, I LOVE getting gift cards!!! From Ivy’s comment, it’s “giving the gift of shopping”!

Whole Foods gift cards….I’ll take ‘em. Everyone knows it so I’ll probably be getting them.

Like Kathy T, I started giving my Dad gift certificates to his favorite restaurants. He loves it, but more importantly he likes for us to go with him and socialize at the same time. He would never let me pick up the check in person, but he will pay for it with the gift card that I give him for Christmas. I works out very well, since he doesn’t want or use any additional stuff. I have found this to be a very good thing to do with older relatives.

[…] I know you’re gearing up for your big trip around the world in a couple of weeks, and I saw this discussion over at Music City Bloggers about actual gifts versus gift cards. As you know, Santa, I am one who lives paycheck to paycheck […]

I’m a big fan of gift cards - for the reasons previously stated; I get exactly what I want when I want it. I milked a $40 Starbucks card for a year. However I love collecting giftcards (and plastic hotel room keys) - http://wonderdawg777.blogspot.com/2007/02/show-me-gift-cars-money.html

First of all, I’m all for a feel-good-check-swap-and-burn meet-up. Secondly, I am a big fan of making something personal, even if it is small, to accompany a gift card. Some of the goofy, custom embroidered baseball caps from years gone by are still conversation starters. Making some kind of time commitment to making something personal relieves me of gift-card-guilt and lets the receiver know that I tried before surrendering to a service desk bailout.

This check writing party sounds like some sort of ponzi scheme.

I’m in.

I usually don’t like giving gift cards (because I LOVE to shop), but with four cousins who are teenagers, I had to do it. It’s either that or spring for a Kathy Vanblahblah purse (NOT happening!). As for receiving them, I’m either way.

I’m afraid I have to be a voice of dissent as per the original posts as well. In my immediate family, we exchange Christmas lists every year of what we REALLY want so most gifts aren’t much of a surprise but are very much wanted or needed, but we still have fun surprise gifts as well… and a lot of other gifts that inevitably wind up sitting in boxes for years and to this day mostly unopened and unused. Honestly, I’d just as soon receive gift cards in lieu of those things.

So is giving a gift card worse than asking someone what they want? It amounts to the same thing.

I think Mr. Ivy is on the right track. Giving gift cards doesn’t have to be thoughtless. Personally I give gift cards to places people won’t normally shop. My sister loves a particular store, but won’t buy there because of their over priced clothing. So a gift card lets her go get what she likes without the guilty conscience of spending too much. My brother’s present this year is a gift card to a place I know he would love, but he’s never gotten around to going into despite me regularly recommending it to him. He’ll go now that he has a gift card.

We also give gift cards from local stores/restaurants to our out-of-town friends and relatives so they have to come visit. But now that I think of it, there are only a few that we do this for.