The Gift That Counts

[kybearfuzz]

Over 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?

Comments

[bigreddee.livejournal.com]

I get what someone is saying about the easy way out. But here's my thought (especially when it comes to giving iTunes gift cards): the fact that a gift was given at all, given the state of the economy, should be enough to shut that person up. Now, I'm talking about friends, acquaintances, etc. Birthdays often just show up...most people won't talk about their birthday coming up until the very last minute, and then it's too late to give "the perfect, most thoughtful" gift. I love giving iTunes cards. They're quick, and the person gets to choose what they want.

Some people are simply better at gift-giving then others, but you shouldn't discount any gift really.