In Defense of Gift Cards
- By Emily Kieson
- Published Sunday 9th 2007
Emily Kieson
Emily currently lives in Austin TX and spends most of her time writing and enjoying the weather. She loves to write stories and screenplays for all ages. When she's not writing, Emily is teaching horseback riding, working as a vet tech, or painting.
A recent msn article devalued the idea of giving gift cards during the holidays...or any other day, for that matter. Although I agree that personal gifts mean more, gift cards have their place.
Very good friends deserve your time and energy and should get gifts that reflect your relationship. Whether it means you give them that sweater they were oogling in the window, or share a wonderful holiday moment with at bottle of wine and good cheese, be sure it means something.
Other people, however, are different. Unless you have a seventh sense that allows you to understand the minds of teenagers, get them a gift card. Unless they asked for something very specific, the likelihood of a teenager loving your gift is somewhere near zero. Gift cards, however, allow them the opportunity to make their own decisions and get something they really want. In a world where they have little responsibility, gift cards allow them some control and decision power.
Under this circumstance, you are giving the recipient the added bonus of independence and empowerment.
Gift cards are also good for neighbors, teachers, and other essential acquaintances. Don't pretend to know what these people like unless they are your friends. Guaranteed that if you get them a piece of jewelry, lotion, plant, or other generic gift, they probably won't use it. Gift cards, under these circumstances allow you to give the gift of flexibility. This is especially true if you gift a gift card or certificate to a restaurant, spa, or other venue where the recipient can relax.
Basically, your gift card is the gift of relaxation and enjoyment.
Yes, gift cards are not as thought-provoking as a wrapped package, but they do have their place. And, to be honest, I would much rather get a gift card to my favorite store rather than receiving a sweater I'll never wear from a store I don't like and have to wait in post-holiday lines to return it and search for something else.
In my case, gift cards give the gift of independence, time, AND relaxation.
A nice bottle of wine works, too.
Very good friends deserve your time and energy and should get gifts that reflect your relationship. Whether it means you give them that sweater they were oogling in the window, or share a wonderful holiday moment with at bottle of wine and good cheese, be sure it means something.
Other people, however, are different. Unless you have a seventh sense that allows you to understand the minds of teenagers, get them a gift card. Unless they asked for something very specific, the likelihood of a teenager loving your gift is somewhere near zero. Gift cards, however, allow them the opportunity to make their own decisions and get something they really want. In a world where they have little responsibility, gift cards allow them some control and decision power.
Under this circumstance, you are giving the recipient the added bonus of independence and empowerment.
Gift cards are also good for neighbors, teachers, and other essential acquaintances. Don't pretend to know what these people like unless they are your friends. Guaranteed that if you get them a piece of jewelry, lotion, plant, or other generic gift, they probably won't use it. Gift cards, under these circumstances allow you to give the gift of flexibility. This is especially true if you gift a gift card or certificate to a restaurant, spa, or other venue where the recipient can relax.
Basically, your gift card is the gift of relaxation and enjoyment.
Yes, gift cards are not as thought-provoking as a wrapped package, but they do have their place. And, to be honest, I would much rather get a gift card to my favorite store rather than receiving a sweater I'll never wear from a store I don't like and have to wait in post-holiday lines to return it and search for something else.
In my case, gift cards give the gift of independence, time, AND relaxation.
A nice bottle of wine works, too.
