Gift cards are taking over

I'm not a big fan (unless I receive one) of them simply because it's a cop-out.

They sorta say, "I have no clue what to buy you and quite frankly, I don't want to spend a long time thinking about it."

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20061204.wgiftcards1204/BNStory/Business/home

 

I think that's an unfair knock.

I know I'd much rather someone give me a gift card and let me do something I enjoy (shop) for something I want. If they just buy me something, figuring I can return it if I don't like it, then that's just extra work for me.

 

My thoughts exactly. The only way I buy them is if someone actually asks for one. Like my brother, he's probably going to ask for a Starbucks card, which is fine, I can do that. But otherwise, eh.

 

I'm sending you a $10.00 certificate to Tim's.

 

Sweet Jesus, if I lived within 500 miles of one, I'd love you forever.

Mmmmmmm Timbits.

 

I'll tell HC.
Maybe you should buy the Southern franchise.

 

I feel like I'm copping out when I give a gift card. But if I receive one from a place I enjoy, like Target or Qdoba, I think the giver actually <i>did</i> put thought into it.

In fact that's what I requested from my SportsJournalists.com Secret Clause. I figured it was quick and easy, no actual shopping required!

 

For pretty much every Christmas since we've been married, my wife's family gives me at least one gift card to Barnes and Noble. I would much prefer that to a shirt or sweater that I probably wouldn't like. Our tastes are very different. So the B&N cards are greatly appreciated.

 

I feel the same as PaperDoll. If the gift card has some thought behind it, I'm very happy with it. But if I know that someone just went to a store and bought 15 gift cards for everyone on their list, it's not very meaningful.

 

i don't get it. JR, you even state that you like getting them. but you think it's a cop out to give them? so did the person who gave it to you cop out?

i'm with IJAG. i'd so much rather have a gift card then something i dont' want or need. maybe that's because i'm a practical person and not all sentimental. i can't think of a time in recent years that someone got me a gift that i thought was amazingly thoughtful and a wonderful choice. not that i complained or even felt anything other than gratitude but given the choice between something random and a gift card, i'll take the gift card every time.

 

I don't mind getting them but I'd never buy one unless I happened to be buying gifts for a business colleague. It just doesn't exhibit much creativity--that's all.

The best gift card (maybe you guys have it down there) is one you can buy for all the shops in a pretty high end mall near us (Sherway Gardens, if the GTA Canucks want to know)

 

Me3.