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anonymous
writes:Hi..I wanted to ask if giving a gift card instead of an actual gift is considered good form. Because, in my opinion, it is very impersonal and shows that you couldn't be bothered enough to take the time to put some thought into getting the person something you think they might like. Of course, unless it's a very close friend who loves shopping at some particular store and would appreciate nothing more than a chance to have her pick of the stuff there. But some people do believe it perfectly fine to do that no matter what. Which is the better thing to do: a gift card or an actual gift?I also don't like when someone asks me to tell them what I want. I prefer being surprised with a gift. Don't you? Reply to this Question
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female
reader, stina  +, writes (28 February 2007):
 You're welcome ^_^ I've actually wondered what others thought about this, too, but never thought to actually ask. heh
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reader, anonymous, writes (28 February 2007): This is verified as being by the original poster of the questionIt's nice to see so many different opinions and the reasons behind them..helps me understand the 'why?!'s a lil better.. :p
Thank you all :)
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reader, anonymous, writes (28 February 2007): This is verified as being by the original poster of the questionHi! Thank you all for taking the time to reply and I'm sorry about my response being so late: I was out of town for an extended weekend ;)
The reason I asked is because I asked my boyfriend to help me pick a gift for a friend who's rather close to me and being too lazy to exercise his grey cells, he suggested I get her a gift card and when I tried telling him that I think it's impersonal, he only argued with me saying that he thought it was perfectly fine. And now that my birthday is coming up, I'm actually afraid that's what he might 'gift' me :p lol Silly lil me..
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reader, willywombat  +, writes (24 February 2007):
 I am going to sound like an awkward git, but I LOVE gift cards! It is money that I can spend on ME! Without sounding ungrateful I often find I get presents which I either already have or have no use for (like certain smellies - no good if you have eczema or an allergy).
BUT, I can see why they are not liked by some people as they can come across as you not 'knowing' the person if you don't know what to pick them for a present.
Ho hum?
What to do?
It depends on the person, either the gift buyer or the reciever. I suppose you ahve to now them well enough to understand what they would personally like.
Go on, tell us why you are asking?
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reader, luvme247 +, writes (24 February 2007):
 I think kids like opening alot of gifts at least until they are around 8. Then they like buying their own stuff, and picking it out, so gift cards are good up until 16. And adults are all different. I just ask them what they want. I don't get gift cards usually for an adult unless they tell me that they want one. That is my thoughts anyways ;)
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reader, stina +, writes (24 February 2007):
Hi Anonymous,
I think that most people would think getting a gift card wouldn't be as nice as getting a regular gift. I know that my husband hates gift cards. Like you, he thinks they're really impersonal. But I, on the other hand, absolutely *love* getting gift cards. But I think that's because I'm addicted to shopping. lol
If you don't want gift cards, then I think you should tell people what you want. If you're disappointed that you got a gift card from someone, then maybe you're just a hard person to shop for (depending on who was giving you the present, maybe?). There's also the option of making a wishlist for yourself somewhere online. That's what I do - I have a wishlist on amazon and I make sure to give everyone the link to it around the holidays or my birthday. That way I get what I want and don't feel bad if I don't like the gift that someone picked out for me on their own.
Vina, you make a good point about money vs gift card. Again, I'll use me and my guy as an example. He really likes getting money as a present even though he doesn't like gift cards. And I don't really like getting money as much as gift cards. I think it's because I always want to put the money into savings instead of spend it. But if I'm given a gift card, the money's already spent!
So back to your questions - do you give a gift or a gift card? Honestly it depends on the person. Maybe do like Vina said - a small gift and another gift being the gift card.
And do I like being surprised by the gift? As long as it's from a list of stuff that I want (or if it's something really cute from San-X or shopkawaii.com. lol)
Take care. ^_^
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reader, vina_101 +, writes (24 February 2007):
 I totally agree with you there about it being impersonal. It doesn't really show that you put a lot of thought and effort into getting something for the person. If I was getting a gift from someone I would prefer them to give me a gift card along with something else (an actual gift).
But then again...is giving a gift card the equivalent of placing money in a card? You know when it's your birthday or something and you get money instead of a present. Is that just as bad or does it show that the person didn't want to get you something you wouldn't like, and wants you to choose what you want.
Yes I'd prefer an actual gift and I prefer being surprised too. Why has someone gotten you a gift card? lol
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reader, anonymous, writes (24 February 2007): it depends my brothers girlfriend is quite particular in her tastes i wouldnt buy her anythin unless she had picked it out so gift cards are great 4 her and shes always happy to get them!
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