Gift Certificates vs. "Real" Presents (you know, wrapped, ribboned)

[DrZeeLit]

What do you think?
Is getting a gift certificate a cop out?
My husband is stuck in the gift certificate mode. The last few years, that's all I get.
I sound awful. I don't mean to be complaining.
I am HAPPY to have a gift. It's not that.
I mean, it's not really fun. There's no unwrapping, no surprise.
I'd almost ....no...well, almost... rather have (dare I say it??)...
household appliances. But no, I'd hate that. Too impersonal.

So, what do you think?
Am I just too tough on this?

(p.s. I always buy him stuff he says he doesn't need. Last year -- really good snowshoes. Plus at least one toy or game. For fun.)

[Zuni]

1. I like gift certificates personally

lets me decide what I want

[yorkiemommie1]

2. i asked for gift certificates

so that i can scout the after christmas sales!

[Heddi]

17. Yuppers!

Last year, my mom got me & Mr. heddi GC's to a movie store, bath & body works and some candle company. We waited until the best After-Christmas Sales were going and got SO much more bang for our buck!!!

I'd much rather have GC's than someone, who most likely is VERY well meaning, get me something that I don't like, or just isn't my style.

I appreciate everyone's gifts no matter what, but my style (read: dour, Morrissey, casual) isn't what my sister-in-law's style is (read: J.Crew, pastel, lace-necked). Every article of clothing that she's ever gotten me has been the anthesis of my style. I'd much rather her spend the $$ she would have spent on an outfit I'd never wear on a GC for the store so I can get what I want!

[Abelman]

3. I love gift certificates

But money is better. People think its so tacky, but its the most generous gift of all - letting the person use it the way they want.

I like real, thought out gifts which is why I've stopped asking for specific things. But, if anyone wants to buy me a ukulele, let me know.

[Sannum]

4. Gift Certificates are Perfect.

Put it in a box with a bow, but I always like it when I get them more than something that I will never use.

[WildEyedLiberal]

5. Hmm

He probably doesn't really know what specifically to get you, and figures at least with a gift card you'll pick out something you want. I understand what you mean, but (not to generalize all men here) I'm sure it doesn't even occur to your husband that maybe you'd rather unwrap something that he picked out himself. I'm sure his reasoning is that he thinks you'd prefer to pick something out yourself with the gift card instead of him buying you something you maybe wouldn't like.

My advice would be to go shopping with him and kind of casually point out things you'd like to get - you know, like, "oh, honey, that sweater is so lovely," etc., so that he could remember that you liked that specific item and pick it up for you later. And if you do that and he still gets you a gift card - ah well, it's the thought that counts.

[SlavesandBulldozers]

6. perhaps he gives a gift certificate because it is what he would want.

so maybe you should get him a big gift certificate to somewhere cool.

but it sounds like you are trying to let him know what you want.. . in which case you should just tell him because us guys are retarded like that. seriously.

[mondo joe]

7. Depends. The more someone is in need the better the gift certificate

For my parents and friends who are doing well I like to buy a present - it means I'm thinking of just the right thing for them.

For my teenage sister or anyone else whose money is really tight, a gift certificate means they can get what the want/need most.

[livinginphotographs]

8. I prefer to give and receive gift certificates.

It prevents people from buying you bad CDs and bad clothes.

Personally, I prefer to receive cash. I have enough shit; I could use money to pay my electric bill.

[China_cat]

9. I'm really hard to buy for

Allergic to gold, won't have diamonds in the house, haven't worn makeup in 40 years, make my own clothes, etc. And I made it clear in the very beginning of our marriage that I don't consider things like irons, waffle makers or vacuum cleaners appropriate gifts for either birthdays or holidays.

So, give me a gift certificate for computer gear/software or books and I'm going to love you forever.

[CornField]

10. I like cash

:)

[Kali]

11. I like hand tools

and if I don't get a recipricating saw this year I'm gonna be buyin' him a gift certificate, alright.


Just kidding.(sort of) At least you get something. Drag him along when you go to use it and then at least he will be part of what you pick out - and it won't feel so weird when you say "look what hubby got me for (insert occasion)".

[Left Is Write]

12. I prefer getting and giving actual gifts, but

Gift certificates ARE nice options for givers who are short on time or creativity and recipients who like picking out their own stuff (teenagers, for example).

[VTdem]

13. Just put a gift certificate

in a box and wrap it. That way u get the best of both worlds

[DrZeeLit]

14. Oh, I'm a VT Dem, too!!! And thanks for the reply! n/t

[DrZeeLit]

15. THANKS EVERYBODY -- Great ideas, and I do appreciate your comments!

I'm going to use some of the ideas.
Especially taking him with me when I use the certificate(s).
Of course, for the last two years, those have been for pedicures and manicures... ha ha ha. Really.

I see what you all mean with the cash and the certificates, though.
And I truly am grateful.
He's a good guy!

[Hans Delbrook]

16. Maybe he needs concrete suggestions

Our first few Christmases my guy was really at a loss as to what to get me (clothes-wise - my preferred gift), what size I am (in various items), what colors I would like etc.

Early in our relationship I started "marking up" catalogs for him. I circle a bunch of things that I would like to get, what colors I like, what size, etc. He looks over all the choices, picks what he wants to order and everyone is happy. I'm surprised by what he choses to buy, it's all something I want and he doesn't have to go nuts trying to figure it all out "from scratch."

[Heddi]

18. Completely!

Recently, my husband and I have made Christmas not so much "surprise present" oriented, but rather "hey let's both go out together and pick our what we want", come home, wrap it up and die waiting for christmas to come so you can wear the new outfit you just bought!

In years past, though, when he did buy me clothes, every Christmas I'd give him a list of what I wanted SPECIFICALLY (not: sweater, but: black button up cardigan), my sizes, and the colours I wanted. That made his choice SO much easier because then, I sort of narrowed it down for him.

I like our method now much more. We still get each other surprise gifts, but we focus more on what we want that will make us happy versus trying to guess what the other person wants, or getting them the wrong thing, style, model, etc.

[DrZeeLit]

21. Young Frankenstein -- my favorite movie! Tip o' hat to GREAT screename

[Hans Delbrook]

22. Thanks, I have to admit though..

..only half of it actually applies. :7

[Liberaltarian]

19. gift certificates SUCK!

every christmas, we do christmas eve with my extended family(mom, dad, sis & fam, aunts, uncles, lots o' cousins & their kids) and xmas morning with my immediate family, and afternoonswith my wife's family (we don't have kids, thankfully)
at my families event, the tradition for the adults was to draw names at thanksgiving, and then give the person who got your name 3 suggestions for $20.00 gifts, of which the giver was supposed to get one item off the list for their person...the reason for this is that it's mostly about the kids, but this way the adults get a little something too, but people don't have to get a whole bunch of presents for everyone, since most wouldn't be able to afford to.
So- after a few years, it basically became the adults exchanging $20 gift certificates with each other- until i pointed out what a ludicrous exercise it was, and suggested an alternative when it was our turn to host...so now it's a give-a-gift get-a-gift grabbag- same $20 rule applies, but you buy an actual item(no hints involved), wrap it, and put it in the bag...then we draw numbers to see what the order is for your turn at the grab bag(which is techically more of a "pile" than in an actual bag).

it's a lot more fun than just exchanging certificates.

[Liberaltarian]

20. Retailers LOVE gift certificates...

because something like more than 8-10% of them are NEVER redeemed...and now that most stores seem to be putting expiration dates on them, the percentage will probably go higher.

why not just give cash instead of a certificate?

[Groggy]

23. Make a Xmas wish list

Maybe he doesn't know what to buy you and by buying you a gift certificate he is thinking that at least you will be able to pick out something you really like.

My husband and I both make wish lists. This way we are still surprised with our gift, and we also get what we like! It makes it a lot easier trying to decide what to buy him too!!

[bloom]

24. If Christmas was just the exchange of gift certificates

it seems like - why bother?

I don't mind getting them (from people who don't know what I like anyway) - but it is totally not the same as getting a present.

I would rather get a kitchen appliance (as long as it is something I want).

[AgadorSparticus]

25. maybe it is a cultural thing but we always give money. it's normal.

we give money for weddings, chinese new years, birthdays, christmas, graduation...any event, really. it's money. and everyone is always happy with what they get. and for the opening up portion, we give little stocking stuffers. but the big gift is always money.

[tjdee]

26. It says "I don't know what to get you,and I don't care too much to try to"

And while that works for casual acquaintances and relatives, if you're my mom or my boyfriend :cry: you'd better not be stepping up with only a GC because I will feel extremely hurt. If you're getting a GC and a gift that shows some thought, or even a sweet card or note, that's different.

And from the perspective of giving, there's something weird about that, to me. I can buy my sister a really nice vase from the thrift shop for $5 that she'll love, but if I give her a GC for $5... That's a personal issue though, I don't want people to know I don't have much money for gifts.

I like getting gift certificates though, because it cuts down on the gifts I'll never use. Actually, if you're going the GC route, you might as well just give the money instead.