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

[shimbexprovides.livejournal.com]

Gift certificates = love.

I would much rather get a gift certificate than anothe tchotchke I have no place to store.

[pink-halen.livejournal.com]

I have given gift certificates in the past.
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.

[ui-tomcat.livejournal.com]

I'd just rather have the cash than a gift certificate. Unless it's to some place like Target, Best Buy or iTunes store. My family routinely gives me gift certificates to places I don't shop (like Wal-Mart) and that bugs me. They usually get them right back (re-gifted!)
Now if someone is registered someplace, I don't see the big deal about giving them a gift certificate to a place they obviously shop.

[thespisgeoff.livejournal.com]

Gift certificates are appropriate in a couple of situations:

When it's a teenager or kid you don't know that well. It's much easier to buy them an iTunes, or Target, or clothing store gift certificate that you know they'll use and like, than to try to pinpoint their taste, and inevitably be wrong.

When it's a gift certificate for a particular service or store that you know is meaningful to the person. Spa services, high-end linen or cookware stores (or for the geeks among us, high-end electronics stores) fall into this category.

But yeah, he's right - if they're registered, and you just get a gift certificate? You're just lazy. They've told you what they want, so there's no reason not to get it. Unless, of course, it's waaaay out of your price range. Then etiquette tells you to go in on it with someone else.

[jkusters]

I'll admit to some extreme views on the subject, so take this with a huge grain of salt/sugar/whatever...

When I'm giving gifts, I count it as a marginal failure if the best gift I can come up with is a gift card. I give very few gifts each year, to a very small number of people, and I spend a lot of time thinking about the person I'm gifting and what they may like (and what they may already have). With people I know pretty well, I'm usually very good at finding appropriate gifts. Others, less so.

When I'm the one receiving, I've long ago given up hoping gifts will be personal, so gift cards are fine. They'll usually sit around for a year or two (or longer) until I remember I have them then have to find a way to use them. Personally, I'd prefer cookies.

[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.

Depends

[phenryss.livejournal.com]

I used to labor over getting something 'special' and shopping on my own...but over the years it has become more and more difficult. Especially when it comes to my Nieces and Nephews...they are all young and all very different...and it's really hard to keep up with what they like. Sooo they get B&N gift certificates. To me, giving that lets them pick out what they REALLY want. Not what I think they want. Now, if I see something that screams 'buy me' and I think it's cool, I will get that too.

Now when it comes to my Mom, that is a totally different story. We have all given her gift certificates that NEVER get used...so I try to find something unique. Living in Alaska has made it MUCH easier. We got stuff NO one has up here. Some of it is cute, some is useful, some is just really off the wall.

Hope that helps.

Hugs!

[rixtur.livejournal.com]

BIG hugz to whomever invented the gift card. I did most of my holiday shopping that way last year. It makes everyone happy. Plus I have a huge family, so I just get cards to thier favorite store.
My mom and dad...they never go anywhere, so I get them a card for a restaurant they would never spend the money on, and they love the zoo, so I renew thier yearly passes to the zoological Society.
Vuuuwhaaala...shopping done

[texwriterbear.livejournal.com]

I have a weird thing about gift certificates. I love to get them (yes I can be that picky to shop for. Believe me. Ask my friends.)
I feel sometimes they can be impersonal. I mean if the person is saving up for something big or actually says they want to buy _______. Then it's okay, but otherwise I do try to find a more appropriate gift. But then again that's just me.

[spikejrt.livejournal.com]

If I am gifting someone I know loves to shop - a gift card is okay.

If I am gifting someone and I don't know what to give - I give cash.

For me, part of the fun is trying to figure out what someone would want...