Is it impersonal or tacky???

[Tresstonsmom]

To buy gifts cards for most on your shopping list?

I will be the first to admit...I hate shopping for Christmas stuff with DH and kids in tow...So I did alot of gift cards this year......:o So...am I going to be on the naughty list???

[LizinTX]

Personally I think you will be a hit with everyone on your list. My family loves gift cards both the giving and receiving. I don't think it is tacky at all, and it eliminates the need to exchange something that was the wrong size or a duplicate.

[frizzyrazzy]

I personally love gift cards because then I can save them up and when I find just the right thing I use them - and - it makes me think of the giver. So if they're tacky, then call me a tack. lol.

I do pick and choose though who I buy gift cards for - for instance - my mother doesnt' like them but that's ok because she's easy to buy for. My KIDS adore them - even Ian. He is like me - he saves them up until he finds just the right thing.

[shekov]

Totally agree that it depends on who your giving them to. Most of my family LOVE them but there are a few who would be offended that I didn't spend hours shopping for something they didn't need or want anyway just to have some THING to wrap.

[StillMamamia]

I love gift cards for places I actually go to.;)
Some people don't like giving them because they don't want the "giftee" to know how much was spent.
But I think it's a good idea, because then the person will actually get something he/she needs, and it's easier;).
I'm giving a couple of Amazon gift certificates this year, since I know the persons order a lot from there.

[diamondback688]

I love gift cards. That's what I have been asking for instead of actual gifts for the past four years or so.

I can get something that I want, instead of having something that I don't want and have to take back to the store.

[kiwimum]

I did gift cards for everyone this year. My 3 nieces are each getting a jewellery one, my nephew is getting a garden centre one and my other nephew is getting a computer shop one.
They are all at that age that what I think is cool, they think it's geeky. This way they can get what they want.
We have also bought a selection of different gift cards for our two boys, for the same reasons above.
I LOVE giftcards!

[Tresstonsmom]

Ok...Thank you guys.....I don't feel bad now.:) I got mostly the kids on my list gift cards...because I know my kids are picky, and I have no idea what they are into. I know I hate standing in return lines, so i figured all moms did.:D

[sugarmonkey]

I love gift cards and would love to get one myself. Unfortunately my dad hates them, so I know he would never get me one. Sometimes its hard to know what to get people.

[sam1nat2]

I don't know if it is considered tacky, but I love them!!

For Sam's recent bday I told people that he would like gift cards, in any denomination, from Target. All put together, he has over 200 bucks to spend there, he can get something really nice.

[Tigerlilly's mom]

I love to receive gift cards!!! The year Lilly was born everyone on my list except my mom got a gift card from us. This year I did both gift cards and gifts. If I was able to pick out the perfect gift then they are getting a gift, otherwise they get a gift card. Two of my neices got Itunes, 2 nephews got gamestop, another neice got one to a specialty makeup place, 2 more for target and one for walmart. SO I did put some thought into where I got the giftcards from, but don't feel as though it is tacky to give them.

[staciebco]

I love GCs! I got one from my brother for my favorite home improvement store. Do you think he's trying to tell me my 92-year-old house needs some work?! :rolleyes:

[diamondback688]

I love GCs! I got one from my brother for my favorite home improvement store. Do you think he's trying to tell me my 92-year-old house needs some work?! :rolleyes:

Home Depot or Lowe's?:D:D;)

[Heather(CA)]

To buy gifts cards for most on your shopping list?

I will be the first to admit...I hate shopping for Christmas stuff with DH and kids in tow...So I did alot of gift cards this year......:o So...am I going to be on the naughty list???

If you are...Then so am I. :eek::D

[staciebco]

Home Depot or Lowe's?:D:D;)

Neither, it's Sutherland's. That place is a treasure trove of stuff! I could spend hours there and $1000's, I'm sure!

[dqmomof3]

I have taken to giving Visa Debit cards to my niece and nephew (teenagers) for the last couple of years. My credit union only charges a dollar fee per card. The teens are thrilled, and it is easy for me! I am just NOW using a Target gift card I got last Christmas. I save them until money is tight and I need something - then I use them and thank the giver profusely!

I think they are perfect.

[Tresstonsmom]

I personally like GC's for myself or my kids. I was just wondering if it was the "norm" to give/get them I guess.

My inlaw's wanted to know what I wanted for Christmas...I asked for GC's for a local craft store and maybe GC's for a clothing place around here. They looked at me like I had 2 heads...I'm simple...give me the GC...I'll do the shopping (not to sound rude). :D

My kids would rather have GC's so they can add them up after Christmas and buy the other things they want...that are on sale real cheap.( I trained them well:D).

[Thoover]

Gift cards are great, I just got about 500.00 worth of gift cards and I am finished shopping now...:D

[saxmaniac]

Who doesn't like gift cards?!

I really like specialized gift cards for places that I would never normally go. Much better than a Sears card. For example, I'd probably never get ever a massage since part of me thinks it's a bit of a wasteful luxury, but if someone got me a gift card to go there I would take it up... gotta use it!

[Beach bum]

I agree with PP. Gift cards to some place I wouldn't normally go to is great. Especially if it's somewhere where I can pamper myself.

Some people feel if all you can come up with is a gift card, then you shouldn't be giving them at all.

[sisterbeth43]

I love getting and giving gift cards. I would really like one to a massage place. I have never had a massage and at my age, I think I deserve one. Some of my girls wanted gift cards, for example, the dau in TX with 2 autistic children, who is the sole support of her family on her Walmart salary, wanted one to a nice place to eat so she and her hubby could go out some night and not think they were taking things away from the kids. Another is getting ahouse soon and wanted one to a home improvement store. That was the easiest shopping of all--gettng the gift cards. I just got one yesterday to Applebees and can't wait to use it. One of my nieces sent me a gift card to there after Pat died. She figured I could use a good meal out. Was great!

[frizzyrazzy]

I'm getting my fil's GF a gift card to her favorite clothing store. I'd love to pick something out for her, but she's a very plus sized woman so I know she has trouble with fit, and her style isn't my style. So I figure give her the gift card and she can spend her time and find exactly what she wants. I think that's a good use of GC.

On the other hand, someone a few years ago gave me a gc to a nail place, a nail place that's 30 min from my house. I have no nails nor would I drive 30 min if I wanted to get my nails done (there's a nail place every 10 feet here) lol. Maybe this person was hinting that I should actually spend some time on my nails LOL. But I never used the gift card. At least if you give a gift card, think about something that the recipient will actually use.

[OSUMom]

If gift cards are tacky then I'm even worse! :eek: I give my nephews and this year even Dean... cash! Dean wants to get a pass to a ski place for the winter so he's asked for cash. It's not that I don't want to give a gift any thought it's just that I want them to get exactly what they want. I'm all about being practical. :)

[Lisa P.]

I don't think they are tacky or impersonal, but I do think stores make a lot of free money each year from cards that are lost or the last few dollars doesn't get used, etc. My SIL has a great habit of finding a museum, botanical gardens, aquarium, rec center, local theater, or etc. in the area the kid lives in and giving a membership or punch cards. Can get pricey and you don't want to feel like you are telling someone they have to go to a museum :o, but this lady is not like that so it's great. Then if the membership gets "wasted" the money is going to a good place, usually. It also helps with so much junk under the tree syndrome. Also, no standing in line since you can usually order online or over the phone.

[frizzyrazzy]

If gift cards are tacky then I'm even worse! :eek: I give my nephews and this year even Dean... cash! Dean wants to get a pass to a ski place for the winter so he's asked for cash. It's not that I don't want to give a gift any thought it's just that I want them to get exactly what they want. I'm all about being practical. :)

that's what my daughter wanted too - so far I think the grandparents have all done that. She's got a big spring music trip to Hershey (2 nights) so she really needs the cash if she wants to go.

[diamondback688]

I always want cash, but my dad hates getting cash as a gift so he won't give it as a gift.

[joy orz]

Alright, I'll be the lone dissenter here. I'm not a fan of gift cards, giving or receiving. I think they're great for teens because teens can sniff anything uncool a mile away, but I like finding, wrapping and seeing the look on people's faces when you find that perfect gift.

As for using them. I have this weird habit of just stock piling them and never using them. I really like getting gifts. Some of my best clothes are things I would NEVER have picked out for myself, but get lots of compliments on.

So I guess I'm just a traditionalist. Pass the figgy pudding. :p

[RosemaryCinNJ]

Amanda ...I love receiving gift cards and so do my older kids..(the teens) that way you can get what you want, when you want it, when you need it... Have a wonderful Holiday!

[MReinhardt]

Since I have bought my home, and I dont always have the extra cash to buy things that HAVE to be done in the home. Gift cards come in extra handy. Gift cards have allowed me to purchase the small drill, or curtains in the home, once I got a gift card to replace a much needed new sink in the bathroom. Everytime I use my drill, I think of the giver of the gift card, that they cared enough to help us out. Money is tight here, so I always welcomed the gift card for the home.