Gift Time.... Do You Like Gift Cards, Cash, Or Hints

[Max Fischer]

Whether it's your birthday, holiday, Arbor Day, etc. If you are supposed to get a gift, do you just wait for a nice surprise, or do you leave 'hints' like circled catalog items, post it notes with reminders, etc?

Is it better to get a gift that someone picked for you, or would you rather have the $$$?

Talk amongst yourselves.

[Disguy]

Gift Cards all the way! Unless a gift is from someone very close to me, then I don't mind getting a personal gift they picked out. Friends, relatives etc... GC or cash please. As a gift giver however, I hate giving out gift cards. They know exactly what you spent and plus I like spending the time to find the right gift

[dramaqueen]

I would rather get a gift card- I always pay bills with cash gifts. A gift card forces me to spend it on myself.

And a gift card is MUCH easier to regift if you don't like the store

[dsnylndmom]

Disguy is a giftcard whore, big time

I love gift card, love love love love love them!! If I was showered in Sephora, Gap, Macy's and Target gift cards, with a sprinkling of Disneyland gift card's I'd be in Heaven

[NemoZorro]

Even though it is less "personal", I prefer cash, because that way it can be used however. Gift cards are OK as long as they are from a store you normally shop at. Have had issues with gift cards before from stores that we have had to literally pick something out we didn't want just to use the card.

But on the other hand, I'll take anything people are willing to give! Can always regift....

[TinkPink]

I agree with Disguy, I prefer to get an actual gift from people I am close to. A well though out gift is the best kind there is.

DQ- I am the same way. If I get cash, it goes to something practical like groceries or bills. A gift card is the next best thing to a great hand picked gift!

[Max Fischer]

Both good points. I live to give unique gifts (taxidermy items, fruit cake, various 8 tracks). For some reason, I prefer to get gifts that were picked for me. It kind of shows me that someone knows me well enough to pick something fun. I usually like weird gifts too.

[HiddenMickey]

Cash I spend too quickly... I prefer a gift card, then I can buy what I want. Although it seems so inpersonable, it's much easier for all those involved. I HATE shopping for gifts. Getting a gift that I know I wanted is awesome.

I prefer to give a gift card, it's just so easy.

[Disguy]

Originally Posted by dramaqueen

a gift card is MUCH easier to regift if you don't like the store

So true DQ! I have an Olive Garden gift card since xmas that I'd LOVE to regift

[Xharryb]

I say it depends on the situation. with some family members, I don't ask for or expect anything. Anything my Grandmother picks out personally, wether it's something i truly want/need or not, is greatly appreciated. Cash or GCs are also good from these people, though more cash than GC because then I'm not limited. For example, I've gotten GCs for music stores from aunts and uncles, which is perfect for me as far as what the store sells, but the particular store is not one that I frequest because i know i can get 2 CDs somewhere else for the same money that will only get me one at that store.

With my significant other and with my mother, we often discuss gifts. Extra little surprises are nice, but we've come to the conclusion that it's better to get one or two things that are truly wanted, but maybe wouldn't be bought otherwise due to other obligations. We also keep Amazon wish lists to help with picking things. Last Christmas my mother and sister just ast down at the computer and had a little Amazon shopping spree for my gifts, and all were enjoyed. There was still an element of surprise because i didn't know which items from the list had been purchased, but at least I knew i would like them all.

[HiddenMickey]

Originally Posted by Disguy

So true DQ! I have an Olive Garden gift card since xmas that I'd LOVE to regift

Does that mean we AREN'T going out to dinner on Saturday night now????

[Cuzco-topia]

I love gifts...but I'm so picky that I usually put on the 'oooh...it's soooo...cute' face and inwardly thinking, 'what the heck were they thinking?!'. So, gifts cards it is.

[dsnylndmom]

Originally Posted by HiddenMickey

Cash I spend too quickly... I prefer a gift card, then I can buy what I want. Although it seems so inpersonable, it's much easier for all those involved. I HATE shopping for gifts. Getting a gift that I know I wanted is awesome.

I prefer to give a gift card, it's just so easy.

You don't count you keep your gift cards FOREVER and don't spend them!!! it's just not natural!

[HiddenMickey]

Originally Posted by dsnylndmom

You don't count you keep your gift cards FOREVER and don't spend them!!! it's just not natural!

I keep them for the right gift. Ask Disguy how long it took me to spend that $50 target gift card!! It drove him INSANE!

[Cuzco-topia]

That's the problem with gift cards....never end up using them for years. Last year, we pooled together all our best buy gift cards from old christmas's and birthday cards. We had enough to buy our new dig camera!