Are gift cards a good or bad present?

[Optsol]

Re: Are gift cards a good or bad present?

Back to the original post, they're awful....

[niki_the_tiger]

Re: Are gift cards a good or bad present?

I think gift cards are awesome gifts... I love them! I mean, as long as you choose something you know the person likes, or a general store you know they go to...

Even with my best friends, sometimes I just don't know exactly what they "want" at that time... but I know where they like to shop... so I can get them a card there, and let them pick out something for themselves.

Not that I give a lot of gift cards... I do like to pick out gifts when I can.

But I know that for my parents anniversary, we are surprising them with two nights in a hotel and I want to also buy them a gift card to one of the restaurants in the area... which reminds me, I need to find a gift card quick. I'm thinking of Smokey Bones restaurant... because they would probably never go there on their own and we tried it and loved it. Anyone have a Smokey Bones gift card they need to sell?

[abecedarian]

Re: Are gift cards a good or bad present?

I love gift cards! They're better than cash since I have to use them someplace besides debt reduction, and they're usually for fun stuff. Even a gift card from my local grocery store would be most welcome.

[jacquelynrose]

Re: Are gift cards a good or bad present?

I got one this year! It was GREAT!

[abowers]

Re: Are gift cards a good or bad present?

I meant to add-- not only did I get some gift cards from the parents of my preschoolers, but my work also gave every teacher a gift card to Target, back at the beginning of December. This was EXCELLENT because I was able to do some of my christmas shopping with the gift card, instead of my own small supply of cash :-)

My sister has given me a gift card to Michael's before -- because she knows that I like knitting, and knew I could use knitting needles in different sizes, or new yarn, but she didn't know exactly what I needed.

I have given my parents a gift certificate to new restaurants before, which they've enjoyed.

Usually if I give some kind of gift card, I get another gift too. For my friend's birthday I made her a purse, and I sent her gift certificates for Dunkin Donuts (because we both like their coffee, and when we were in college together we'd go get DD coffee together all the time). I thought (and she did too) that it was a nice addition because it was a reminder of a tradition we used to have!

Also, for Christmas, we went to my boyfriend's parents in Florida. They wanted to get him a tool set, but because it was easier to not deal with bringing that on the plane back home to NJ with us, they gave him a Home Depot gift card so he could get it when were back home.

[Ima saver]

Re: Are gift cards a good or bad present?

I personally do not like to receive gift cards unless they are from my favorite restaurant.
I have a $75 gift card from a framing place and there is nothing I want there. I also have a $500 gift certificate from the Grove Park Inn in Ashville that I have had for 4 years. since they won't take small dogs, we won't go there. I wish I had the money instead.
I would rather give checks and let people buy what they want.

[BillsGirl]

Re: Are gift cards a good or bad present?

I personally do not like to receive gift cards unless they are from my favorite restaurant.
I have a $75 gift card from a framing place and there is nothing I want there. I also have a $500 gift certificate from the Grove Park Inn in Ashville that I have had for 4 years. since they won't take small dogs, we won't go there. I wish I had the money instead.
I would rather give checks and let people buy what they want.

have you considered selling them? I have heard of people selling gift cards on ebay!

[Ima saver]

Re: Are gift cards a good or bad present?

They have our name on it, so I thought they would not be transferable. I guess i should call and ask. I am not familar with computers so i don't know about e bay.

[BillsGirl]

Re: Are gift cards a good or bad present?

mmm yeah that might be a problem, but it wont hurt to ask!!

[asmom]

Re: Are gift cards a good or bad present?

I like gift cards and I like to give them because I am always so worried about giving someone a gift they won't like or use. I usually try to give them to a "neutral" place like Kroger or Target.

Oh and thanks for the suggestion of Ebay for a gift card, I never knew!

[niki_the_tiger]

Re: Are gift cards a good or bad present?

I personally do not like to receive gift cards unless they are from my favorite restaurant.
I have a $75 gift card from a framing place and there is nothing I want there. I also have a $500 gift certificate from the Grove Park Inn in Ashville that I have had for 4 years. since they won't take small dogs, we won't go there. I wish I had the money instead.
I would rather give checks and let people buy what they want.

Gift cards sell great on Ebay... I know I have searched for gift cards there hoping to get a great deal, but it's crazy, everyone bids on them right up to near what they're worth... I have even seen them sell for more than they are worth!