OT - Gift cards are bad?

TechLady77 · 12-07-2007, 04:51 PM

I purchased Wal-Mart gift cards for my two brothers and my mother because I know they need money. I cannot just give money for other reasons. Btw, they never send me gifts so I don't have any guilt or anything. Well, I just read an article on MSN about how only horrible people give loved ones gift cards because that tells people that you don't care about them, you just wanted to cross them off on your list.

What do you guys think?? I have never heard this before...I thought people liked gift cards.

I'll also be giving my SIL cash because she is dead broke and needs money to buy a car. Is this a bad idea too? Should I get her a $5 gift for Christmas and then wait a few weeks to give her the cash?

seats · 12-07-2007, 04:58 PM

no i dont think it is a bad idea. i think it shows that you care about them either to give them something like that.

me and my dh is getting his side of the family gift cards and giving my parents, brother and sister gift cards this year. just for the simple fact that we didnt know what to give them.

i think the person who done that article didnt know what they was talking about. i dont mind getting gift cards.

Navi · 12-07-2007, 05:10 PM

Um, no way.

Maybe if you really, really knew the person and knew exactly what they would like for a gift...or if you had the time and money to make something...maybe then it would seem a little bit like you weren't thinking.

Some of the best gifts I've ever gotten were gift cards.

sheepiegirl · 12-07-2007, 05:40 PM

I read that article and I understand the sentiment of the author, that gift cards are impersonal and shows that you didn't put any thought into the gift.

But I also think times have changed and I know that I would rather get a gift card from a store I like to shop in than a bad gift that I don't want and either have to return or can't return and am stuck with.

I think if you give someone a gift card to Walmart and know they never ever shop there, that would be bad, but if you give them one to Walmart and know they go there all the time, I don't see why that's bad. If you at least know the stores where people like to shop and give them cards to those places, I think that shows that you've paid attention to the person and are trying to please them that way.

Oh, and I'd vote to give your SIL a small gift for Christmas and then help her out later on with the cash for the car. don't know why, just seems more appropriate to me.

xmandy_01 · 12-07-2007, 05:51 PM

I personally love getting gift cards! I know a lot of my friends and family have asked for them this year as opposed to gifts that way they can get what they want...lol

Mandy

PoeticInsanity · 12-07-2007, 06:18 PM

hmmm...I do like getting gift cards but only from people that I don't really know on a personal level...like my boss, co-workers, stuff like that.

But I would rather get a $5 gift that someone when out and got me, rather than a $50 gift card any day. To me the idea of getting a gift is having someone take the time to go out and get me something that reflects how "they" feel about me. Its not only about what I like or dislike. I know I always think about the person when I buy a gift, even if its something really small.

We all have had gifts that were terrible, but I'm sure a lot of you have also found that gift a few years later and thought of the moment/person. Once they use the gift card, its gone. So is the memory. I honestly don't remember what I spent my last gift card on. But I remember the ugliest sweater my husband ever gave me, and I never wore. I'll always remember 'that'.

But I'm an old lady at heart, I miss writing letters by hand (which I still do, rather than email), I still gift wrap instead of gift bag. I think we as a society are moving so fast that we don't spend time on the few things that can really show someone you care.

Perhaps if you know someone in need, why not give them a gift of something they could definately use? It doesnt need to be glamorous it could be something they could use around the house.

And just to be clear there are definately times when gift cards are more than appropriate...(and you're situation with mom sounds like it could be).

I'm just an young sentimal woman, with an old soul that longs for things to become more personal again.

threeblessings · 12-07-2007, 07:00 PM

My favorite gift is a gift card! I keep telling dh, just give me money or gift cards and keep the kids so I can go shop alone! I dream of that!

sheepiegirl · 12-07-2007, 07:08 PM

Well said, Ayesha!

ttara123 · 12-07-2007, 07:13 PM

I agree with PoeticInsanity. I think gift cards are impersonal. Good for coworkers, etc when you don't know what else to get them, but you're basically still just giving them cash.

But I do think that in certain situations, like yours, they are good. If they really do need the money, giving a giftcard is a sweet gesture and definitely classier than cash. I think gift cards are good for people who you know struggle with money or need it, like college students or just anyone going through a rough patch.

I guess my theory is, don't give a gift card to a family member or close friend who is not struggling financially, because I think it's just a cop-out. But if you realize they are struggling and would appreciate the ability to buy groceries, etc even more than a heartfelt gift, go ahead. It will ease their burden.

Evasmom · 12-07-2007, 11:20 PM

I give gift cards to my sister. They are really tight on money this year and this way my sister is able to get what she and her family need. Her husband is too proud to take any financial help so this way she gets what she needs for her family and kids and brother in law gets to keep his pride

serenity1981 · 12-07-2007, 11:38 PM

I don't think gift cards are a bad thing, I personaly are not a lover of giving gift cards just because i love to go gift shopping.
But last year my brother Robert wanted money for amazon so he could buy some computer games.
I have also bought Next vouchers for my sister-in-laws for there birthday.
So to answer your qustion no i don't think gift cards and vouchers are a bad thing.

SnowFlower · 12-08-2007, 01:55 AM

I personally love getting them

mistyr · 12-08-2007, 02:03 AM

I love gift cards! It's kind of like extending Christmas a little bit. First you get the card for the gift, then you get to go shopping, and it's like getting a present all over again. Oooh, and I especially love salon and spa gift cards. My FIL always gets me a spa card for Christmas, and I am seriously looking forward to it. It's a little splurge that I wouldn't normally do for myself.

ilovescott · 12-08-2007, 02:07 AM

In my opinion, I tink gift cards would be good. If they are short on cash and they need some help, they can buy anything, een a few food items from there. For our wedding, my brother and SIL gave us a gift card for Target and we used part of it for some home office things and the other part of it for groceries. It really came in handy!

As for your SIL, I would give her a small gift on Christmas, then the money later. You don't want her to spend the money on other things besides the car. I know, for me, when I have cash on me I tend to spend it faster.

Jashobeam · 12-08-2007, 09:24 PM

Miss Manners frowns on anything resembling a money gift. IRL if you live far from relatives it's a way to let people know you are thinking of them. We have a niece and nephew and have found buying them gifts usually doesn't work. They grow out of fads so fast at certain ages, it's just best to let them pick what they want.