I think it depends on the occasion and how well you know the person. For example, when I was pregnant with my first child, I really appreciated getting gift cards as baby gifts. But those gift cards were mostly from people that we didn't know well--close family and friends gave us actual gifts.
I love gift cards. They are great gifts, especially when they are for something you know the recipient loves and spends a good deal of money on. They're also great if you need to get a gift for someone you don't know very well. I can't think I've even been disappointed when receiving a gift card.
I think gift cards are a great idea because they can be tailored to the person, just like any gift. For instance, I love target and amazon.com so someone who knows me might give me a gift card to either of those places and it's because they know me and they know I love them! I also am always having to buy books (for school or otherwise) and so bookstore gift cards are always welcome. I've even been given grocery store gift cards that were such a nice surprise because I could buy some specialty items that I might not normally buy.
Accepted anywhere and for anything. Sure, a well thought out gift is preferred and often cheaper, but cash gets spent gift cards kinda sit there. And if I've received a greenback from someone, when I see what I do want (often at a store with out credit card abilities let alone gift cards) I am more likely to go for it and classify it in my head "so and so's birthday present to me". :)
When I was a kid, my parents used to give me money instead of presents for birthdays and holidays. As a child, I really hated that because there's really nothing like a beautifully wrapped present that contains a well chosen gift.
That said, how many people will actually be able to select a non-monetary present for someone they're not especially close to? While I'd be disappointed if my husband gave me a gift card, I'd be perfectly delighted with one from someone else who would have otherwise chosen something ugly, useless, bulky or all three.
My kids are very happy to receive gift cards from their friends and more distant relatives. Unless it's for a store that they really don't like, they ALWAYS find the opportunity to cash in their cards.
This is the first time I have seen these thoughts expressed so clearly. I always wondered what was "wrong" with me that I didn't see the need to pour through ads and all the sites on the Internet to get coupons, etc. I have figured out that I just don't need that much. And I will get into trouble trawling those sites. After all, I LOVE to shop. However, bringing in more stuff is not needed, nor is the spending desirable right now (probably ever, though I don't know that intuitively yet). I don't even do a lot of reading the grocery ads because most of the fresh stuff doesnt' get put on sale and I am not convinced that going to several different stores is worth a few cents, or even dollars.
I LOVE getting gift cards if they are for businesses I frequent. I have received GCs for stores that I have to pull up a map online & get directions to get there. That can be annoying & takes away from the pleasure of the gift... Although, it's better than an item of clothing in the wrong color or size... At least you get to buy what you want!
I rarely give gift cards unless it's for a teenager.
Agreed, generally not for spouses or friends/relatives you know would be offended.
However, my parents, for example, need nothing--they are downsizing their home & are desperately trying to get rid of stuff. Buying them a physical gift (and alas, they don't drink and can't eat rich food, so even foodie-type gifts won't fly) would not be appreciated. So what does that leave? Restaurant or theater gift cards, ideally chosen to suit their tastes.
You are giving the gift of an experience--a "splurge" dinner, a play, etc. Also nice for people who are perhaps a bit too practical. You could get them that new vacuum or you could "force" them to have some fun and relax with a gift card to the spa or beauty shop.
That being said, I get reliably good gifts from very few people in my life--my mom, my husband...and that's about it. If I want a decent gift I won't have to try and return, I either have to ask for it specifically (ie, wishlist), which feels rather rude and pushy to me, or hope for a gift card.
A couple of things come to mind here. In my experience the pedagogic purpose of a higher education course is often undiscussed. Most students are unaware that they are being educated in ways that are based on educational philosophy. When I explain to my business students about Bloom's taxonomy for example the scales fall off their eyes and they see the connection to marking schemes and so on.
The other thing that most students overlook is the transformative experience they are going through and the generic intellectual skills they pick up.
Many more students are going to university and seeing it as an extension of school rather than a process of intellectual development that turns them into critically reflective indidviduals. Here and now, gimme the subject content don't ask to me think hard and be aware of what I'm doing seems to be more and more the norm.
I somewhat disagree with points that previous people have made regarding giving spouses GC's. My hubby often gives me one for a spa! Which is great because sometimes I may want a massage or a mani/pedi, etc. It's nice to have the choice, I understand that he took the time to choose the spa and that he did put some level of thought into the gift.
I like giving them because I'm lazy, and I like getting them because they're just as good as cash. And if they're for some luxury or fun store, they give me an excuse to "splurge" on myself with something I wouldn't normally buy, and I get to choose what it is.
I still feel like they are a little tacky, especially if they are obviously from the check-out line. Exception would be if it's for a particular store or restaurant that you really know I love and would want to have a card to.
Perfect gifts for service personnel such as Mailman, paperboy and teachers. For family and good friends I prefer a personal gift that some thought was made in the purchase or making.
I love getting gift cards for places I would normally go (specific restaurant cards, for example) or would normally shop (Wal Mart, Giant, Wegmans). If it's for some more exotic place that I don't normally frequent, well, hey I'm up for a trip to check it out. So yeah, I'll take gift cards any time!
I do give them sometimes when I'm really at a loss for a gift idea, or don't know the person well, or know that the person loves to shop at a specific place. But usually I try to come up with a gift idea first. For newlyweds and newlygraduates, we just give cash :)
I treat gift cards as any other gift -- if it's something someone wants and would use, then it's a good idea. If they think it's thoughtless or convenient, than it's not a good idea.
I usually ask before I buy. A lot of friends and family have a favourite hobby supply store and enjoy treating themselves to something new (and they get to shop the seasonal sales too!)
I think gift cards are great. I enjoy giving them if I know the person will use them for a gift, and I love getting them. One practice I've used is to make sure I send a "thank you" to the person after I've purchased something letting them know what I got. This way, I tend to use it for something meaningful (not just gas and food), and it keeps the personal touch in there.
Gift cards also let me give in to the "impulse buy" that I never otherwise allow myself.
I think a lot of it depends upon the type of gift card and the person you are giving it to. If there's a good bit of thought behind the giftcard and/or it's what the receipient really would like, I think it's fine.
I gave a new friend a gift certificate to the Cheesecake Factory for her birthday recently. I don't know her that well but know that she loves cheesecake and that she and her fiance are sometimes out that way to see movies. I thought they might enjoy stopping for dessert and coffee after a movie. Similarly, her soon-to-be-brother-in-law gave her a number of gift certificates for local restaurants in the city where she and her fiance moved to (Restaurant.com worked well for that). My brother-in-law is difficult to buy for but listens to audio books and music at the gym regularly. He really appreciates iTunes giftcards. My mom usually sends me a $5 Target giftcard with my Valentine's Day card so that I can go buy myself some chocolate. It's cheaper than buying and sending the chocolate herself, I get to pick out exactly what I want and the sentiment is understood. And, if I wait until the day after Valentine's, I get twice the chocolate for the same price. :)
That said, there are times when giftcards are a bit of a copout. As a volunteer youth work, I sometimes get gift cards for Starbucks from "my kids" for Christmas or my birthday. I really appreciate the sentiment, but I don't do coffee or those type of beverages. I usually end up using them to get a sandwich of a cookie in an airport when I'm traveling. My sister has also received gift cards with odd amounts and for stores that she doesn't shop at from her in-laws. Regifting gift cards, especially partially used ones, is never the way to go.
All gifts should be mindful gifts, and if you've thought long and hard and think that a gift card is the best option to give someone, go for it! I would never give one to my Mother-in-law who's 90 and would never redeem it, because it wouldn't be a thoughtful gift. But my nephew at college, it's perfect for. And if I give him a gift card to someplace like Amazon, he can use it for some music or electronics item that I would have no idea about. But that same gift card to my MIL - that would put me in the dog-house for the duration! As long as it's a thoughtful choice and not an excuse for being lazy, they are perfect!
You missed out http://www.iSwish.co.nz in your review. iSwish is an exciting newly launched clothing swap site where you can join, list items and swap item for item ALL FOR FREE. In addition there is an option to upgrade and swish for credits.
I am currently upgrading my wardrobe for the upcoming spring in NZ!
I am so saddened by the lack of vacation time given to US workers. Speaking to others from the US, it appears that it is in the cultural blood for all sorts of reasons (many referenced above already), therefore very difficult for people to imagine or believe it could be another way.
The European work directive (legislation to work no more than 48 hours a week) is in reality always abused and many in the UK don't have a good work life balance because they feel compelled or used to working for longer, for the same reasons as those of our US friends; one of the major reasons being fear of losing our job.
I have recently had the very good fortune to start a business with a good friend of mine where we are beginning to set out our own rules of how we work based on what else we want to experience in life. This, we believe, will then feed back into the work we do and hopefully become a good influence and inspiration for the organisations we work with. It's early days but we're very optimistic that we can actually Breathe, rather than gasp through life.
I think it depends on the occasion and how well you know the person. For example, when I was pregnant with my first child, I really appreciated getting gift cards as baby gifts. But those gift cards were mostly from people that we didn't know well--close family and friends gave us actual gifts.
I love gift cards. They are great gifts, especially when they are for something you know the recipient loves and spends a good deal of money on. They're also great if you need to get a gift for someone you don't know very well. I can't think I've even been disappointed when receiving a gift card.
What a great idea. Just when your wardrobe gets drab - swap! Thanks for this.
There's a beautiful relevant quote in our book (10,001 Ways to Live Large on a Small Budget):
I think gift cards are a great idea because they can be tailored to the person, just like any gift. For instance, I love target and amazon.com so someone who knows me might give me a gift card to either of those places and it's because they know me and they know I love them! I also am always having to buy books (for school or otherwise) and so bookstore gift cards are always welcome. I've even been given grocery store gift cards that were such a nice surprise because I could buy some specialty items that I might not normally buy.
Accepted anywhere and for anything. Sure, a well thought out gift is preferred and often cheaper, but cash gets spent gift cards kinda sit there. And if I've received a greenback from someone, when I see what I do want (often at a store with out credit card abilities let alone gift cards) I am more likely to go for it and classify it in my head "so and so's birthday present to me". :)
yes, because they have some versatility while still being somewhat personal.
When I was a kid, my parents used to give me money instead of presents for birthdays and holidays. As a child, I really hated that because there's really nothing like a beautifully wrapped present that contains a well chosen gift.
That said, how many people will actually be able to select a non-monetary present for someone they're not especially close to? While I'd be disappointed if my husband gave me a gift card, I'd be perfectly delighted with one from someone else who would have otherwise chosen something ugly, useless, bulky or all three.
My kids are very happy to receive gift cards from their friends and more distant relatives. Unless it's for a store that they really don't like, they ALWAYS find the opportunity to cash in their cards.
This is the first time I have seen these thoughts expressed so clearly. I always wondered what was "wrong" with me that I didn't see the need to pour through ads and all the sites on the Internet to get coupons, etc. I have figured out that I just don't need that much. And I will get into trouble trawling those sites. After all, I LOVE to shop. However, bringing in more stuff is not needed, nor is the spending desirable right now (probably ever, though I don't know that intuitively yet). I don't even do a lot of reading the grocery ads because most of the fresh stuff doesnt' get put on sale and I am not convinced that going to several different stores is worth a few cents, or even dollars.
I LOVE getting gift cards if they are for businesses I frequent. I have received GCs for stores that I have to pull up a map online & get directions to get there. That can be annoying & takes away from the pleasure of the gift... Although, it's better than an item of clothing in the wrong color or size... At least you get to buy what you want!
I rarely give gift cards unless it's for a teenager.
Agreed, generally not for spouses or friends/relatives you know would be offended.
However, my parents, for example, need nothing--they are downsizing their home & are desperately trying to get rid of stuff. Buying them a physical gift (and alas, they don't drink and can't eat rich food, so even foodie-type gifts won't fly) would not be appreciated. So what does that leave? Restaurant or theater gift cards, ideally chosen to suit their tastes.
You are giving the gift of an experience--a "splurge" dinner, a play, etc. Also nice for people who are perhaps a bit too practical. You could get them that new vacuum or you could "force" them to have some fun and relax with a gift card to the spa or beauty shop.
That being said, I get reliably good gifts from very few people in my life--my mom, my husband...and that's about it. If I want a decent gift I won't have to try and return, I either have to ask for it specifically (ie, wishlist), which feels rather rude and pushy to me, or hope for a gift card.
A couple of things come to mind here. In my experience the pedagogic purpose of a higher education course is often undiscussed. Most students are unaware that they are being educated in ways that are based on educational philosophy. When I explain to my business students about Bloom's taxonomy for example the scales fall off their eyes and they see the connection to marking schemes and so on.
The other thing that most students overlook is the transformative experience they are going through and the generic intellectual skills they pick up.
Many more students are going to university and seeing it as an extension of school rather than a process of intellectual development that turns them into critically reflective indidviduals. Here and now, gimme the subject content don't ask to me think hard and be aware of what I'm doing seems to be more and more the norm.
http://www.feedfilter.com/ goes to a junk site. Did Trent mean something else?
I somewhat disagree with points that previous people have made regarding giving spouses GC's. My hubby often gives me one for a spa! Which is great because sometimes I may want a massage or a mani/pedi, etc. It's nice to have the choice, I understand that he took the time to choose the spa and that he did put some level of thought into the gift.
I like giving them because I'm lazy, and I like getting them because they're just as good as cash. And if they're for some luxury or fun store, they give me an excuse to "splurge" on myself with something I wouldn't normally buy, and I get to choose what it is.
I still feel like they are a little tacky, especially if they are obviously from the check-out line. Exception would be if it's for a particular store or restaurant that you really know I love and would want to have a card to.
Perfect gifts for service personnel such as Mailman, paperboy and teachers. For family and good friends I prefer a personal gift that some thought was made in the purchase or making.
I love getting gift cards for places I would normally go (specific restaurant cards, for example) or would normally shop (Wal Mart, Giant, Wegmans). If it's for some more exotic place that I don't normally frequent, well, hey I'm up for a trip to check it out. So yeah, I'll take gift cards any time!
I do give them sometimes when I'm really at a loss for a gift idea, or don't know the person well, or know that the person loves to shop at a specific place. But usually I try to come up with a gift idea first. For newlyweds and newlygraduates, we just give cash :)
I treat gift cards as any other gift -- if it's something someone wants and would use, then it's a good idea. If they think it's thoughtless or convenient, than it's not a good idea.
I usually ask before I buy. A lot of friends and family have a favourite hobby supply store and enjoy treating themselves to something new (and they get to shop the seasonal sales too!)
I think gift cards are great. I enjoy giving them if I know the person will use them for a gift, and I love getting them. One practice I've used is to make sure I send a "thank you" to the person after I've purchased something letting them know what I got. This way, I tend to use it for something meaningful (not just gas and food), and it keeps the personal touch in there.
Gift cards also let me give in to the "impulse buy" that I never otherwise allow myself.
Gift cards are the only way to go for teenagers. Even THEY don't know what they really want!
I think a lot of it depends upon the type of gift card and the person you are giving it to. If there's a good bit of thought behind the giftcard and/or it's what the receipient really would like, I think it's fine.
I gave a new friend a gift certificate to the Cheesecake Factory for her birthday recently. I don't know her that well but know that she loves cheesecake and that she and her fiance are sometimes out that way to see movies. I thought they might enjoy stopping for dessert and coffee after a movie. Similarly, her soon-to-be-brother-in-law gave her a number of gift certificates for local restaurants in the city where she and her fiance moved to (Restaurant.com worked well for that). My brother-in-law is difficult to buy for but listens to audio books and music at the gym regularly. He really appreciates iTunes giftcards. My mom usually sends me a $5 Target giftcard with my Valentine's Day card so that I can go buy myself some chocolate. It's cheaper than buying and sending the chocolate herself, I get to pick out exactly what I want and the sentiment is understood. And, if I wait until the day after Valentine's, I get twice the chocolate for the same price. :)
That said, there are times when giftcards are a bit of a copout. As a volunteer youth work, I sometimes get gift cards for Starbucks from "my kids" for Christmas or my birthday. I really appreciate the sentiment, but I don't do coffee or those type of beverages. I usually end up using them to get a sandwich of a cookie in an airport when I'm traveling. My sister has also received gift cards with odd amounts and for stores that she doesn't shop at from her in-laws. Regifting gift cards, especially partially used ones, is never the way to go.
All gifts should be mindful gifts, and if you've thought long and hard and think that a gift card is the best option to give someone, go for it! I would never give one to my Mother-in-law who's 90 and would never redeem it, because it wouldn't be a thoughtful gift. But my nephew at college, it's perfect for. And if I give him a gift card to someplace like Amazon, he can use it for some music or electronics item that I would have no idea about. But that same gift card to my MIL - that would put me in the dog-house for the duration! As long as it's a thoughtful choice and not an excuse for being lazy, they are perfect!
Hi there,
Thanks for a great review of an amazing concept!
You missed out http://www.iSwish.co.nz in your review. iSwish is an exciting newly launched clothing swap site where you can join, list items and swap item for item ALL FOR FREE. In addition there is an option to upgrade and swish for credits.
I am currently upgrading my wardrobe for the upcoming spring in NZ!
Hope to see you at iSwish!
I am so saddened by the lack of vacation time given to US workers. Speaking to others from the US, it appears that it is in the cultural blood for all sorts of reasons (many referenced above already), therefore very difficult for people to imagine or believe it could be another way.
The European work directive (legislation to work no more than 48 hours a week) is in reality always abused and many in the UK don't have a good work life balance because they feel compelled or used to working for longer, for the same reasons as those of our US friends; one of the major reasons being fear of losing our job.
I have recently had the very good fortune to start a business with a good friend of mine where we are beginning to set out our own rules of how we work based on what else we want to experience in life. This, we believe, will then feed back into the work we do and hopefully become a good influence and inspiration for the organisations we work with. It's early days but we're very optimistic that we can actually Breathe, rather than gasp through life.