Gift Cards for Chirstmas Gifts - Tacky?

Pretty Hardcore · 12-18-2007, 01:35 PM

I haven't started my Christmas shopping yet and I'm running out of time.

What do you think of giving or receiving a gift card?

blabber · 12-18-2007, 02:07 PM

Works great if you have nine nephews and nieces and it's hopeless to try and keep up with things like video games. My expertise ends with Atari 2600's Pac Man cartridge. So, hellooo, Best Buy cards!

ntrllftr · 12-18-2007, 02:12 PM

I'll take one for Red Lobster. Thanks

Gift cards are perfect. People can get what they want.
I always get the wrong thing for people, not any more.

TANK25 · 12-18-2007, 02:12 PM

I think it`s a great ideal,it`s really good when it comes to picky people.At least you know they are going to get something they really like.

LR3 · 12-18-2007, 02:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fit_Focus

I haven't started my Christmas shopping yet and I'm running out of time.

What do you think of giving or receiving a gift card?

yes, tacky--especially for people in your immediate family as it basically says "i know so little about you that i have not a clue what you would want." though if you know someone is an audio fanatic--and knows a lot more about audio than you do--then an gift certificate or card to a high end audio store that you know s/he frequents would be a reasonable gift. but just a walmart or target card would be pretty tacky in IMHO.

MiamiSpartan · 12-18-2007, 02:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LR3

yes, tacky--especially for people in your immediate family as it basically says "i know so little about you that i have not a clue what you would want." though if you know someone is an audio fanatic--and knows a lot more about audio than you do--then an gift certificate or card to a high end audio store that you know s/he frequents would be a reasonable gift. but just a walmart or target card would be pretty tacky in IMHO.

I actually like recvng them, personally...
iTunes works for me if anyone's curious....

I'll usually buy some as stocking stuffers in addition to buying gifts...

ntrllftr · 12-18-2007, 02:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LR3

yes, tacky--especially for people in your immediate family as it basically says "i know so little about you that i have not a clue what you would want." though if you know someone is an audio fanatic--and knows a lot more about audio than you do--then an gift certificate or card to a high end audio store that you know s/he frequents would be a reasonable gift. but just a walmart or target card would be pretty tacky in IMHO.

2004 and 2005 I gave my wife a gift. Both times she took them back.
Last year I gave her a Home Depot card and she said it was the best gift I ever got her.

mdocruz · 12-18-2007, 02:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fit_Focus

I haven't started my Christmas shopping yet and I'm running out of time.

What do you think of giving or receiving a gift card?

works great!

Pretty Hardcore · 12-18-2007, 02:46 PM

Ok, Mom gets a real gift, needs to be thoughtful, not like I rushed out at the last minute

Everyone else gets a gift card and maybe some socks or something.

Thanks everyone for all your help, this is going to make shopping so much easier.

StartinOver-68 · 12-18-2007, 02:48 PM

My GF and I have everything we need and want and we are both especially hard to buy for. She usually does well for me, but I'm a real klutz at shopping. I do know that she wanted an MP3 so I did get her that, plus some accessories, but the next two gifts were $700 in gift cards to her favorite stores.

blabber · 12-18-2007, 02:59 PM

$700?!? Wow! "Dad", I'm coming home for Christmas this year!

mfsteve · 12-18-2007, 03:06 PM

Approve!

rhollan · 12-18-2007, 03:18 PM

I try to be thoughtful with my gifts, but will include a gift card with what each of my kids get. My daughter is into arts and crafts and uses gift cards for supplies.

Pretty Hardcore · 12-18-2007, 03:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rhollan

I try to be thoughtful with my gifts, but will include a gift card with what each of my kids get. My daughter is into arts and crafts and uses gift cards for supplies.

Yeah, I usually do try to be more thoughtful with my gifts too. I don't know what happened this year - Christmas came by so quickly.

Must have been too busy planning my meals and workouts.

tolewfo · 12-18-2007, 07:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fit_Focus

What do you think of giving or receiving a gift card?

It makes me think about what Artie Lange mentioned on the Howard Stern show as they were handing out gifts:

"Here is a gift card... It used to be money that was good everywhere but now it is only good at one place."

I like gift cards because I have a forgetful family that procrastinates during XMAS... I remember back in high school I wanted a ski jacket, I said "any color but green..." They, a couple of weeks later, would go out shopping and say to each other, "I know he said something about a green ski jacket" and then get one.

DarinK · 12-18-2007, 09:18 PM

Gift cards are fine. My brother buys everyone gift cards except his wife and daughter. He waits until 5:42pm Christmas Eve(the stores close at 6), then goes to a local market in our area that sells gift cards then buys 15-20 of them assorted kinds. Does all his Christmas shopping in 7 minutes, lol.

Shreddedgeek · 12-18-2007, 10:31 PM

Boy I gues I know what I am getting for Christmas

My card better be a unlimited card from the local, Bath...Bed....and BEYOND...

blabber · 12-18-2007, 10:47 PM

Would a gift card from "Beverages and More" send the wrong message?

Not to me!

bgnb · 12-18-2007, 11:11 PM

If its for kids who live out of town, a gift card is fine ...

or a secret santa for a co-worker, sure ...

but if its someone you know its almost better to say
I haven't a clue than to say your friendship, love,
whatever is worth $50.

but then I think x-mas is for kids and adults don't need gifts!

StressMonkey · 12-18-2007, 11:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fit_Focus

I haven't started my Christmas shopping yet and I'm running out of time.

What do you think of giving or receiving a gift card?

I personally love getting gift cards. I have an aunt who always gives me terrible presents (non-skid socks, pottery, etc). I always think "A $5 Best Buy gift card would do the trick", but I don't have the heart to tell her.

jtroster · 12-19-2007, 06:00 AM

My mother used to say she did her holiday shopping at the CIBC (bank).

IronCamp · 12-19-2007, 06:45 AM

I don't think there is anything tacky about it and got gift cards for my boyfriend, mom, dad, brother and sister in law. All of them requested gift cards as gifts and it makes my life easier too. I prefer gift cards, as well.

Hibiscus09 · 12-19-2007, 06:49 AM

I get them as stocking stuffers for the kids -- to bookstores or game stores as they prefer to pick out their own. The only other time I've ever given them is to a few of my nephews because I'm clueless about what they would like -- so I chose Best Buy -- figuring they could get a CD.

I must say that I prefer to get a gift certificate or card from my mother-in-law as she sometimes tries to buy me clothes and it just doesn't work........

Other than that, I do prefer an actual gift given from the heart of the giver. I'm not saying gift cards aren't from the heart -- it's just what I prefer -- I like to see what people I love choose for me and I have fun choosing things for them.

Pretty Hardcore · 12-19-2007, 07:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shreddedgeek

Boy I gues I know what I am getting for Christmas

My card better be a unlimited card from the local, Bath...Bed....and BEYOND...

...BEYOND, I get it now. Yes, do you wanted gift wrapped?

Hibiscus09 · 12-19-2007, 07:44 AM

I'm not awake yet and I see I didn't finish what I was going to say.

Edit: And finally --

-- no, it isn't tacky. If you're busy, you're busy and anyone that receives anything as a gift should be happy the person thought about them enough to give them something. Do what works for you and enjoy a peaceful Christmas!!

Pretty Hardcore · 12-19-2007, 07:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hibiscus09

I get them as stocking stuffers for the kids -- to bookstores or game stores as they prefer to pick out their own. The only other time I've ever given them is to a few of my nephews because I'm clueless about what they would like -- so I chose Best Buy -- figuring they could get a CD.

I must say that I prefer to get a gift certificate or card from my mother-in-law as she sometimes tries to buy me clothes and it just doesn't work........

Other than that, I do prefer an actual gift given from the heart of the giver. I'm not saying gift cards aren't from the heart -- it's just what I prefer -- I like to see what people I love choose for me and I have fun choosing things for them.

I also prefer a thoughtful gift to a gift card, I have relatives though that I would rather they give me a gift card, because I always have to return/exchange to gift.

Nikonguy · 12-19-2007, 07:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LR3

yes, tacky--especially for people in your immediate family as it basically says "i know so little about you that i have not a clue what you would want." though if you know someone is an audio fanatic--and knows a lot more about audio than you do--then an gift certificate or card to a high end audio store that you know s/he frequents would be a reasonable gift. but just a walmart or target card would be pretty tacky in IMHO.

Agree based on these examples. We use specific gift cards because we know our family and close friends well and choose cards from specific retailers we know they like. We also like them for growing kids. A gift that excited last years 12 yo. would mortify this years teen, LOL

QUALITYGUY1 · 12-19-2007, 08:05 AM

This, for me, is on a person by person basis, going on what I know about the person. Buying ONLY a gift card for my wife, would IMO be VERY tacky and thoughtless. That goes for my daughters, as well as any person close enough to me that I should know something about their likes and dislikes.
Now let me clarify here, I think it's OK to include a gift card as one of several gifts...for example, besides all the "stuff" I bought my wife, I included a gift card for tanning so she can brown up before her cruise in January...so I got a gift card for that for sesible reasons.
However, I really think that many folks out there just purchase of a gift card because they don't want to spend the time or thought for shopping. In other words, they "rationalize" the gift card as the most sensible "real" gift for just about ANY person at ANY time.
And yes, I like cards sometimes, however, I can tell you I have 3 in my wallet right now that are like 1 year + old...same goes for "gift certificates".

Rhinoclan · 12-19-2007, 08:05 AM

Maybe I'm crazy, but if everyone is getting/giving gift cards, why not just have the whole family show up for Christmas, everyone take out their wallets, and everyone can exchange $20 bills. Isn't that really the same thing?

QUALITYGUY1 · 12-19-2007, 08:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rhinoclan

Maybe I'm crazy, but if everyone is getting/giving gift cards, why not just have the whole family show up for Christmas, everyone take out their wallets, and everyone can exchange $20 bills. Isn't that really the same thing?

X2!...this is my point...well put!