The Gift That Counts
Oct. 10th, 2008 01:07 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
kybearfuzzOver lunch, a co-worker and I were having a discussion regarding gift giving. His position was the giving gift certificates was the easy way out, that it basically says that you are not putting any thought into a gift. He was especially saying this if you gave a certificate to a place you are registered (he just recently had a baby).
Now I often give gift certificates as birthday presents, even when my friends or family member might have a wish list. I guess I often considered shopping part of the gift experience, the ability to get whatever you want or need. Granted, this alleviates me from making a choice of does he or she like it, but at least it gives that person the ability to get something they truly enjoy. Naturally, if I were attached, this wouldn't go for my other half, but for friends and family I never saw the problem.
So, I pose the question to the masses: Are gift certificates a sort of etiquette-breach? Is purchasing an item better than giving a gift certificate or are they equivalently good?
Now I often give gift certificates as birthday presents, even when my friends or family member might have a wish list. I guess I often considered shopping part of the gift experience, the ability to get whatever you want or need. Granted, this alleviates me from making a choice of does he or she like it, but at least it gives that person the ability to get something they truly enjoy. Naturally, if I were attached, this wouldn't go for my other half, but for friends and family I never saw the problem.
So, I pose the question to the masses: Are gift certificates a sort of etiquette-breach? Is purchasing an item better than giving a gift certificate or are they equivalently good?
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no subject
Date: 2008-10-10 05:44 pm (UTC)I want to make a distiction between Gift Certificates and Gift Cards. Gift cards are basically credit cards for a particular company. I have come to believe that gift cards are not a great idea. Especially now that you can buy them at the grocery store for every conceivable company.
They really are a solution to the "obligation" gift. It really shows that you don't know the recepient very well. They often force people to stores that the don't like or force people to act by a certain date.
They have become the gift of choice for companies giving perks. I earn points on the credit card that I can redeam for gift cards. I get $100 of merchandise but the Credit card company bought it at a discount. They pay $90 or $95 and the merchant still makes money.
I really think intention is important in gift giving. If you have a lot invested in the person then you need to invest a little time in thier gift.