Comments on: Only a man would say a gift card is the best gift!

By: Patrick

Patrick — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 18:33:50 +0000

I’m on the fence when it comes to gift cards. On one hand they’re tacky and seen as part of the “last-minute” or “no-thought-given” category, like a lot of gifts found in a drug store or dollar store, but on the other, they’re great if you don’t know the recipient well enough to buy them something they would actually enjoy. You could give one to the kids’ teacher, school bus driver, postal worker, and a few other people you might have occasional interactions with. For someone in your immediate family, unless they specifically say “I want a gift card to (insert store here)” or “I just want a Visa/MC gift card”, you should give them something that really suits them. You should know them well enough to know what they’d like, and what they wouldn’t like. Same would go for your parents, the spouse’s parents, and any brothers or sisters. Now for extended families (sib-in-laws, nieces/nephews), a gift card would be semi-suitable, unless you didn’t know them well enough.

My family buys presents for the younger kids, but for the adults and teens, it’s checks or cash all the way. It’s the right size, right color, matches everything, and can be used anywhere. The only exception might be for the adults to buy presents for each others’ spouses, but other than that it’s cash or check.

My grandmother in Alabama sends out cash or checks to every family member over 10 years old; anyone under that she’ll send some money to the parents to help pay for a gift they’ve always wanted, as long as the parents put on the present “From: Granny”.

By: new stepmom

new stepmom — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 17:36:35 +0000

Becky…thank you for the good wishes. I am well. Still on bed rest and go to a perinatologist next week. They believe nothing is wrong with our little one. They are taking every precaution to ensure a full term/safe pregnancy!

UCONN, I am so sorry to hear about your father. You are in my thoughts and prayers….

By: Becky

Becky — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 14:23:42 +0000

Thanks MJG..I didn’t want to metion a name in case I was wrong..Which I can be quiet a bit…

I don’t shop there that much either..So not sure if I spelled it right or wrong..Like you, I thought knew they started out as Wal-Mart, but had since changed it..I read Sam Waltons book and I would almost bet that he is spinning in his grave over the way the stores are now..This is just my opinion..

By: motherjanegoose

motherjanegoose — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 14:05:47 +0000

@ Becky… it was uconn’s Dad.

I also do not have a clue about the Wal Mart thing that Michele mentioned. I certainly may be spelling it incorrectly as it appears this how they spell it : Walmart. I do not shop there often.

I worked at an Arkansas store ( in the late 70’s early 80’s) when the logo was Wal-Mart …the way it started out:

By 1962, Walton owned and operated 16 Ben Franklin franchise variety stores, mostly based in Arkansas (with a few in Missouri and Kansas).

On July 2, 1962, in Rogers, Arkansas, Walton opened his first discount store, under the Wal-Mart name.

By: Becky

Becky — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 13:40:36 +0000

@MJG, I love the truck story..My family has never gone out caroling, that might be fun to try this year..I am taking my granddaughter this weekend to see the Rockettes, hopefully we can start a tradition of that..Then next week, we are all going to see the Army Ground Forces Band at the Cobb Energy Centre..

@Michele, thanks (I think)..I think I missed something on that, but I have been known to be doofus at times…

@New Stepmom, hope yo are doing great..Happy late birthday..

I also think that I read that someones Dad had passed and I don’t remember just who it was..I’m sorry for your loss..

By: JJ

JJ — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 13:12:40 +0000

Executive Redneck edition of the truck…..LOVE IT!!!!

By: faye

faye — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 03:31:32 +0000

This girl LOVES gift cards, too – especially to my favorite stores. I’m a bit of a spendthrift with cash, and a gift card almost gives me permission to splurge! For me, if someone knows me well enough to know that I love Starbucks or Borders, a card to one of those stores IS using their imagination :-) My husband has given me giftcards and gift certificates and I love it! I’m not a jewelry person, and he knows I would prefer a massage to new earrings – but that’s just me.

By: regular poster incognito

regular poster incognito — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 02:06:10 +0000

i love gift cards if they are to a store i like to shop at but usually cant afford. i would give a needy person a gift card from a local grocery store not a walmart–walmart meat sucks. and their grocery selection isnt great-except for the bakery. and i am like jj i sure dont someone stressing over getting me anything…i hate when i make a last minute plan to go to my relatives and they rush out to buy me something…if you wernt gonna get me something anyway dont do it because i was able at the last minute to get there!!1 i really really just want to see the family!!!!! home stuff is great..especially FOOD!!!

By: FCM

FCM — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 01:59:20 +0000

“Our survey found that 62 percent of consumers plan to give gift cards this year, second only to clothing (71 percent). They are also the most-wanted gift among women and ranked third with men.”

My figures are from Consumer Reports Dec 2007. Sorry I could not find anything more recent.

By: FCM

FCM — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 01:49:13 +0000

The majority of gift cards tend to get lost or go unused. “Earlier this year, TowerGroup, a research firm in Needham, Mass., estimated the value of unused gift cards in the U.S. at $8 billion for 2006. And in its fiscal 2006 annual report, the retailer Best Buy revealed a $43 million gain from gift cards that were unlikely to be used.” I understand that g/c are easy — especially for teens — just make sure the card you give is the one they want and will actually use!