# Do you like gift cards as a gift? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [December 25, 2015, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-like-gift-cards-as-a-gift/741347 "2015-12-25T22:03:41Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Idle\_Thoughts](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/838e76/32.png) [@Idle\_Thoughts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Idle_Thoughts)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2015, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-like-gift-cards-as-a-gift/741347/1 "2015-12-25T22:03:41Z")
So I’ve read on here before, [in the past](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=688684), about folks’ opinions on gift cards and most seemed to think they weren’t a very good present. I remember one topic on here that surprised me a lot, because most posters in it were saying they hate gift cards and think any person who gives them is a bad gift-giver. [I’ve even asked about it before, myself](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=629937) (although that was about four years ago so I wanted some new opinions on it and/or to see if anyone’s previous opinion had changed). I guess the logic is (and I can kinda understand this) that it’s one of the more thoughtless gifts you can get someone, mostly getting them for either someone you don’t know very well or because you’re too lazy to put any thought into a real gift. I do agree it’s a pretty easy, quick, and clean way to get somebody something and doesn’t take much effort… …but I got a gift card last night and my mother got two of them and we both loved them. They were for things and places we actually like and go, so that made me bring up the topic of giving gift cards among the group there at our Christmas party (about 14 people). I told them all that I had heard that gift cards are usually seen as a crappy kind of present that most people don’t actually like and they were all pretty surprised. Pretty much all of them said they love getting gift cards and think it’s one of the better kinds of gifts. It’s combining something you really like with getting whatever you want of it. Many of them said they’d prefer getting gift cards as gifts more than anything else. I know that gift cards that are for things you never use or really care for are bad, so maybe that’s what a lot of people on here were talking about, so I can understand the dislike they get if someone’s only experience is always getting ones they never use, but when it’s something that you really enjoy or like, what’s wrong with a gift card? I’m honestly puzzled over this. I think gift cards are a great present to both get and give and so did everyone last night, as I said. ---
**Author:** ![Trinopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/2bfe46/32.png) [@Trinopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trinopus)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2015, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-like-gift-cards-as-a-gift/741347/2 "2015-12-25T23:43:22Z")
Personally…kinda no. Oh, they’re okay. They’re useful and all. But, say I get a nice $40 card at WalMart. I buy $38.40 worth of stuff. What am I supposed to do with the $1.60 left on the card? I throw the card away, and WalMart profits. Irksome. If ya gonna gimme money, gimme folding dough. Dead presidents. Long green. I don’t have to keep track of the balance left on a sawbuck. ---
**Author:** ![Lord\_Feldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lord_feldon/32/341_2.png) [@Lord\_Feldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lord_Feldon)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2015, 11:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-like-gift-cards-as-a-gift/741347/3 "2015-12-25T23:45:48Z")
> [@Trinopus](#): > > But, say I get a nice $40 card at WalMart. I buy $38.40 worth of stuff. What am I supposed to do with the $1.60 left on the card? I throw the card away, and WalMart profits. Irksome. If you wouldn’t shop at Walmart normally, yes, that’s irksome. But if you shop at Walmart anyways whether you have a gift card or not, you would just use the whole $40 as you go. ---
**Author:** ![mistymage](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mistymage/32/459_2.png) [@mistymage](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mistymage)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2015, 1:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-like-gift-cards-as-a-gift/741347/4 "2015-12-26T01:59:05Z")
I _love_ getting a Facebook/zynga gift card! Even a low $5 card gets me some free water for farmville 2 … the more money the more goodies I get. Gift cards for anywhere else I like but that would involve me getting off my pc to spend them (although… I should check to see if any gift cards for walmart/target/kohls etc can be redeemed online). I’d rather get a gift card than a gift that says more about the gifter than me. Like if the person loves cows and gives me a cow printed sweater. But I would still smile and gush when receiving it. ---
**Author:** ![MLS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/919ad9/32.png) [@MLS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MLS)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2015, 2:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-like-gift-cards-as-a-gift/741347/5 "2015-12-26T02:00:19Z")
I hate them. One for the reason **Trinopus** said. Second, because they’re often for someplace I don’t normally visit. Third, because it means I now have to go shopping (which I hate). Fourth, because I will probably lose it before it expires. ---
**Author:** ![Hey\_Hey\_Paula](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/85e7bf/32.png) [@Hey\_Hey\_Paula](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hey_Hey_Paula)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2015, 2:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-like-gift-cards-as-a-gift/741347/6 "2015-12-26T02:14:35Z")
I like receiving them. And I like giving them. As long as it’s to someplace I know the recipient will like. (And yes, I am a terrible present-giver, I admit that.) Sometimes other family members give my dad and step mom Starbucks gift cards. They don’t go to Starbucks, but they know I do, so they pass them on to me, and for my most recent birthday they knew just what to send me. They find it amusing that I stop at Starbucks nearly every day before work. At our recent work holiday party there were door prizes, including gift cards for Nordstrom and Target. My prize was a Nordstrom card, but I would have preferred a Target one, as it’s more practical. On the other hand I’m happy to work for a firm that gives us a nice lunch and door prizes. And I just gave a friend an e-gift card for Petco since she needs some things for her new cat. She wouldn’t let me paypal her the money directly, but an e-gift card she would accept. It was very convenient for both of us. ---
**Author:** ![Patty\_O\_Furniture](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/96bed5/32.png) [@Patty\_O\_Furniture](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Patty_O_Furniture)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2015, 2:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-like-gift-cards-as-a-gift/741347/7 "2015-12-26T02:19:51Z")
“What’s Itchy & Scratchy money?” “It’s like regular money but more… uh, fun.” ---
**Author:** ![MandaJo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ac91a4/32.png) [@MandaJo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MandaJo)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2015, 2:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-like-gift-cards-as-a-gift/741347/8 "2015-12-26T02:33:00Z")
Context is everything. A gift card is a great present to, say, the receptionist at work at Xmas. It’s kind of lame for two adults to swap equal value cards. Basically, I think they work well in unequal situations: parent to child, boss to employee, student to teacher. They are much more pointless when people are swapping gifts of equal value, and weird if the person with fewer resources is giving gift to person with more. ---
**Author:** ![Arrendajo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e0b2c6/32.png) [@Arrendajo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arrendajo)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2015, 2:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-like-gift-cards-as-a-gift/741347/9 "2015-12-26T02:52:16Z")
I don’t mind them at all if it’s somewhere I shop anyway. My girlfriend’s son gave me a gift card to the local hardware store. There are things there I need like right now and have plans to use the card ASAP. ---
**Author:** ![Peremensoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ce7236/32.png) [@Peremensoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peremensoe)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2015, 3:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-like-gift-cards-as-a-gift/741347/10 "2015-12-26T03:06:28Z")
Expensive, inconvenient cash. No, I do not like them at all, to give or receive. There are worse gifts, though. ---
**Author:** ![jz78817](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jz78817/32/1028_2.png) [@jz78817](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jz78817)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2015, 3:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-like-gift-cards-as-a-gift/741347/11 "2015-12-26T03:08:37Z")
I’m fine with them. I hate the concept of asking people for stuff just because I managed to exist for another year, or because it’s six days from the end of December. So if you give me a gift card for a place/service I use (Best Buy/Cabela’s/Netflix/etc,) I’ll appreciate it because I _will_ use it. I won’t _give_ them unless it’s what the recipient asks for. and in those cases I can see it; sometimes there’s something someone wants but won’t be available for another month or so. Or they’re going somewhere and can use it as spending money. ---
**Author:** ![Rushgeekgirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rushgeekgirl/32/3715_2.png) [@Rushgeekgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rushgeekgirl)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2015, 4:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-like-gift-cards-as-a-gift/741347/12 "2015-12-26T04:34:19Z")
They are my most favorite, especially if it’s for something something I will find useful. I have had people give me 20 dollar gift cards for 100 dollar a meal restaurants that I might as well throw in the trash, but a Walmart card? That’s like gold. ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2015, 4:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-like-gift-cards-as-a-gift/741347/13 "2015-12-26T04:55:34Z")
I like them and appreciate getting them. My daughter just gave me three. Thanks Leah! ETA: I love you! ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2015, 5:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-like-gift-cards-as-a-gift/741347/14 "2015-12-26T05:27:03Z")
I got a $500 Visa gift card from my parents this evening, quite unexpectedly as we don’t exchange gifts. I have not frowned or had one negative thought since that time. ---
**Author:** ![Seanette](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/seanette/32/9139_2.png) [@Seanette](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Seanette)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2015, 5:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-like-gift-cards-as-a-gift/741347/15 "2015-12-26T05:30:29Z")
I’m another who likes them fine if they’re for some place I would normally go anyway. That way, I don’t wind up with some useless piece of clutter. ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2015, 5:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-like-gift-cards-as-a-gift/741347/16 "2015-12-26T05:37:05Z")
> [@MandaJo](#): > > It’s kind of lame for two adults to swap equal value cards. LMAO that’s happened to me - and from the same store, no less. We were both good-natured about it. I like to get them, and when appropriate, I give them too. I always ask where they want them, however; I would never just randomly go somewhere and buy one. ---
**Author:** ![Tim\_R.Mortiss](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tim_r.mortiss/32/142_2.png) [@Tim\_R.Mortiss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_R.Mortiss)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2015, 6:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-like-gift-cards-as-a-gift/741347/17 "2015-12-26T06:34:26Z")
I like them. I think they are especially nice when they are gift cards to a place I would \*like \*to shop, but normally don’t because I feel it is too expensive or frivolous. This gives me permission to go there and get something I would normally deny myself due to my own thriftiness. A gift card to a place I shop all the time? That’s no better than cash. It’s just subsidizing my regular life, not making it better or more fun. Give me a gift card to a place I \*yearn \*to shop at, and you’ve made my life _better_! ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2015, 7:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-like-gift-cards-as-a-gift/741347/18 "2015-12-26T07:21:18Z")
Gift cards are okay, in general. A gift card to [Amazon.com](http://Amazon.com), however, would be a fantastic gift (to me) because I spend money there regularly. ETA: Obviously, I feel differently than **Tim R. Mortiss** : I think that people subsidizing my regular life makes my life better (and more fun) and I’m thrilled when they do! ---
**Author:** ![T.M](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ad7895/32.png) [@T.M](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/T.M)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2015, 10:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-like-gift-cards-as-a-gift/741347/19 "2015-12-26T10:12:22Z")
I received some Amazon cards this Christmas enabling me to buy a years supply of paperbacks, The card are a gift that will give me pleasure over the coming year and beyond when I re-read them. I give cards my self, my wife is off to her favourite dress shop on Monday, I would only get the wrong size, the wrong colour and the wrong style (I am only a man) ---
**Author:** ![Grumman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/43a26b/32.png) [@Grumman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grumman)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2015, 10:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-like-gift-cards-as-a-gift/741347/20 "2015-12-26T10:48:40Z")
Giving someone a present that shows how well you know them is better than a gift card, but giving someone a present that shows how poorly you know them is a hell of a lot worse. If you don’t know the difference, get them the gift card. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-like-gift-cards-as-a-gift/741347.md?page=2)