Gift cards were apparently the thing to give this Christmas. Personally, I used to be a bigger fan of the gift card than I am now. Since most places offer gift cards, I find that I get them for places I probably wouldn’t go. And even if I were inclined to go there, they are across town and out of my way. That’s fine for most people, but for me, I have to remember I have the card when I am across town.
When people asked what to get me this year, I told them to get me gift cards to Starbucks or Barnes and Noble or Itunes. These are the places I frequent. These are the kind of giftcards I could use. I never get those because family feels like Starbucks is an insubstantial gift, and Barnes and Noble is silly because I am writer (seriously, they’ve said this), and for half my family an itunes gift card is a “what’s that?” kind of thing. I did get some lovely gift cards this year, but, you know…they are across town.
Did you know that some gift cards now will charge you a fee if you wait too long to use them? That’s right — because some people like me hang onto them so long, the stores figure they are losing money, and if you go without a year, they will charge you a fee. That’s not right! And that almost demands you get out and use your gift card on their Drastically Reduced Items and show them who is boss! Whatever you do, I hope you find the sale of your dreams and it’s not at Fish and Game.
Let’s take a little poll, shall we?
Do you give giftcards each year?
1. I give them to everyone. It’s fast, it’s easy, it’s what everyone wants
2. I don’t give them–I prefer to actually pick out a gift.
3. I don’t plan to give them, but when it gets down to the wire, they are my go-to gift.
Did you get giftcards this year?
1. I did! I love my giftcards, I can’t wait to use them, and the stores are conveniently located
2. I did! I have never shopped at Fish and Game and look forward to seeing what they have
3. Nope. Strike out. I really wanted one to _________.
{ 24 comments… read them below or add one }
I like them, but have the same reservations as you do, Julia. Invariably I’ll get a gift card to a store or restaurant that far away. In fact, that’s just what happened this year. I got a gift card from a restaurant chain, but the closest restaurant is about 25 miles away. I’m probably never going to use that card. But Amazon, or Target, Barnes and Noble, a Visa card, those are good choices. I especially like them for teachers’ gifts. So much better than the cutesy things they usually get.
Starbucks gift cards are great for me, also bookstores, iTunes, Target. It got to the point where my whole family was just swapping gift cards (my mom loves movie theater gift cards) and we finally just said forget it and gave up with presents. It was a wonderful holiday without hassle. I did give gift cards to a few people, but I was very careful to make sure they were places loved and frequented by the receiver. I didn’t get any gift cards this year.
Generally, I prefer to send an actual gift, but I gave both my girls (6 and
gift cards to Justice for Girls. Normally we shop for them at Walmart or consignment stores (I do NOT get paying lots of money for kid clothes), but they both love going in there, and I figured this would be a thrill! And I gave the 8yo an iTunes gift card because she got an iTouch for her birthday and now she can “buy” apps (though she’s on my account and has to ask permission, so I still have to do accounting or not buy anything myself until she’s done spending it which, at the rate she’s going, will be tomorrow!).
Personally, I love gift cards to Amazon, B&N, Borders, Starbucks, Target, Walmart or HEB. After that, hey, a Visa card would be lovely
Julie, one husband who shall remain anonymous (mine) got a Visa gift card and lost it. Argh.
Yes, I gave gift cards this year to my nieces for JC Penney. They love clothes so it works for them!
Yes, I received a gift card from my mom. I absolutely love gift cards! Most times I don’t have money on me and hate to charge so having a gift card is a neat little way to buy yourself that indulgent gift that you wouldn’t normally buy otherwise when you are strapped for cash.
That would be perfect, Michele, if my wallet wasn’t so fat with receipts and ones that I can’t close it. I forget the gift card is stuffed in there, or I can’t stuff it in and leave it at home and forget I have it.
I gave gift cards to my nieces and nephews, but I get them the VISA cards – that way they can go to whatever store they want or even to the movies. I don’t worry about the expiration dates because they usually get used up with in a week. My nieces usually call me the day after Christmas and tell me all the stuff I “got” them
This year I only got one gift card and it’s to a store that makes hand made soaps. I LOVE that store!!!
Oooooh, hand made soaps! I love them, too!
I do like those Visa cards. Too bad someone’s husband (mine) lost his!
I both give and get gift-cards. They are my go-to gift for people who I want to give something to, but am not sure what. I love the B&N gift cards for my family. We’re big at hanging out at the bookstore, and now everybody loves to pick out their own books. I always give B&N gift cards to my kid’s teachers, and for a birthday party, it’s always a Target gift card, unless my kid’s know what they want. I actually prefer to buy gifts for people, but sometimes I don’t know them well enough to know what to give.
I hate the fees/expiration dates on cards, and I think it’s very very cheap and everyone should know which merchants are so cheap, so they can avoid them for gift cards.
I used to be more anti-gift-card, but then I saw how useful they were, and if you choose the card to match the giftee (i.e. B&N to reader, Best Buy to entertainment junkie, Home Depot to someone with a new home, etc), then I think it’s very smart.
I would say that I prefer not to give them, but they are a good go to gift, especially for the person who has everything. I do a ton of shopping online and although gift cards are convienent the shipping charges for them is not always worth it. I ordered one from Barnes and Noble and it was $.75 shipping which is reasonable, and then ordered one from the Melting Pot Resturant and it was $7.00 which is outragous.
I recieved on gift card to Target this year and I love it, perfect place to get a gift card to.
I love the ones that let you have an “egift card,” too! And so many stores now have a rack of gift card after gift card.
Michelle,
Those fees are nuts! And I too, love, Target. I think they can read my mind sometimes.
I sometimes give giftcards to my nieces and nephews because they live half a country away from me and it’s an easy gift to put in a birthday card. I don’t tend to receive giftcards all that much myself. But when I do, it’s usually a place I can get something useful. My husband told me that they just passed a law that stores can’t start charging a “non-use” fee on giftcards for at least five years now. I don’t know if that’s true, but I’ve never understood the logic behind charging a fee either. How are they losing money for having taken money for nothing? Obviously, I’m not illogical enough to be a financial type.
I don’t get that either, KC. It really bugs me as a consumer.
I didn’t give any gift cards, didn’t receive any. The only time I’ve ever bought them was when my son was in high school and would get invited to a sweet sixteen party–they seemed a good gift choice for that. I think they’re a great idea, but I hate that they charge you a fee if you don’t use it within a certain period of time.
I gave gift cards to Amazon — they have literally everything these days– and my nephews are mostly grown so it’s hard to know what they need. I got an i-tunes card… I love i-tunes even though I don’t actually use my i-pod that much. I’m sort of building a museum of music Dee loves on my computer. From the 60′s to now. In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida anyone?
I give those away through my website through the year — Amazon has everything!
I quit giving gift cards when they put an expiration date on them. But, like you I forget I have them (unless it is a Starbucks….uhmmm).
Happy New Year everyone.
Happy New Year to you, Mz Betty! It warms my heart to see you here.
Betty! how good to see you out on the net! Happy New Year to you, too.
I gave gift cards to Target. I figured if they couldn’t get what the needed/wanted at Target, they couldn’t get it.
I got a giftcard to Starbuck’s. I wanted a bunch of gift cards to Starbuck’s and iTunes, which are about the only places I would really use them.
I give them occasionally, so the first answer would be “3″. The second question is I received great gifts and some cash, so no gift card, but something just a good.
Cash is good. Cash is very good
For the first question my answer would have to be closest to 2. I don’t give them-I prefer to actually pick out a gift. I do have a niece and nephew who live in a distant land whom I give either gc’s or money, but I prefer to buy people gifts.
For the second question my answer is 3. Nope. Strike out. I really wanted one to … Oh, what the heck just give me cash.