Fa-La-La-La-La....whatever, whatever.

[reprobayt]

Since we are in the Media/Retail-decreed "Prime Shopping/Gift-giving Season", I've been mulling something in my mind.

Gift Certificates and Wishlists.

Some 'givers' hate the concept of either - they want their gift to be personal and special.
Some 'givees' love the idea - because they are tired of receiving personal, special gifts that they hate.

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I love Gift Certificates and Wishlists, but I understand both sides.  What I try to do (cash wiling) is get a small gift I think a person will like and either something from their WishList or a Gift Certificate from a store I know they like.  Or (if I don't know the exact store) an American Express/Visa gift card...

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What say you?  What's your opinion?

Comments

[skellington.livejournal.com]

Clark Howard really hates store gift certificates, because they are frequently not ever redeemed, many have fees, etc.

Not to say that I don't occasionally give them, but as he points out, plain old cash is actually a much better gift. Even if it seems less personal.

If you're throwing in another small gift, I'd either give cash as you've got the personal touch handled.

Or buy something from their favorite store, and make sure you attach a gift receipt so they can exchange it if desired. (Including a gift receipt is a little tacky, IMO, but it does let them know that you don't mind if it needs to be exchanged.)

[canuckgirl.livejournal.com]

I'm really bad at picking stuff out for people (unless they have a wishlist), so I like gift certificates, because then THEY can get what they want.

Although yes, they are impersonal. If I had a boyfriend, I would want something from him, not a gift certificate!

[curvedmetal.livejournal.com]

Gas station gift cards might be a good idea although the prices are going back down.. *shrug* When I get gift cards which is often from csego's side of the family, gas cards are my favorite.

But I do love the cash his grandpappy gives us.. *ponder*

I wish gift cards and cash were more popular.. it'd make shopping for those hard-to-shop-for people on my list so much easier.

[olliesmama.livejournal.com]

I think we talked about this yesterday, but although I do like to give people gift cards, especially when I have absolutely no idea what they want, or what to give them. I also love to be very personal in my gifts; I like to put a lot of thought into them. I rarely just go shopping and Wal Mart and get it over with, you know? Like Dan's gift....I can't put it here because he reads you, but you know what I'm getting him....that just can't be covered with a gift card! *evil grin*

(and if you're clueless, I'll remind you later in email)

[reprobayt.livejournal.com]

I doth 'member. :)

[sistermaryeris.livejournal.com]

That's what *I* want for myself and my kids this xmas. I have to get rid of tons of things this coming year in preparation for moving. We don't need more CRAP. Oy.

[ignis-mcgruff.livejournal.com]

From family and level 2+ friends I prefer gift cards or something from a registry.

From close friends and partners I prefer more personal gifts, though cash to help pay for a body modification is what I consider a personal gift.

It also depends ALOT on where the Gift Certificate is for. If someone gets me a gift certificate for a gaming shop they are fairly sure on what I will spend it on even if they don't understand what I am buying. But I'd rather not have a BestBuy gift certificate from jescot

[reprobayt.livejournal.com]

How is the small one and mommy (who doesn't exist) doing? :)

[missakins.livejournal.com]

I like to buy a person I know well enough a tangible gift. I like to think that this communicates that I wanted to spend a little time/effort in choosing something for them. I will always include the receipt as well, because I don't want them to be blah about me or my gift, in the case that I chose wrongly.

[n3m3sis42.livejournal.com]

I like gift certs and wishlists, and I think they're a good idea in situations where the giver can't come up with an idea that he/she is sure the givee will love. However, I also see both sides, because a personal, special gift is the best if it really is a gift well-suited to the givee. I seriously doubt that anyone would hate receiving the right personal, special gift--it's just that so many givers don't get the right one. :)

[terminusvox.livejournal.com]

I can use whatever is given to me. I've been buying groceries for the last month or so on gift cards,