It’s December! Snow! Winter! And three very cool weeks of holiday. Siiigh.
Of course, December also means Christmas. Which means good food (mmm), and parties (excellent), and spending time with family (hurrah). It also means, fortunately or unfortunately, gift season.
I don’t know that I’ve ever been given a gift that I absolutely hated, but then I’ve also been lucky to have friends and family who are, I think, eminently reasonable. Doesn’t fit? Here’s the gift receipt and exchange it. Don’t like it? We’re not offended – here’s the gift receipt and exchange it. Really don’t know what to give me? Gift cards are excellent, but dude, since you asked, give me cash any day.
Maybe it’s my Chinese heritage, but I don’t mind giving and receiving cash, especially when I have no idea what gifts would be appropriate, to ask for or to give. When it comes to giving gifts to younger relatives, I don’t think giving cash is tacky, and nor do I think receiving cash meant that the giver had no time to shop for me, or doesn’t care. In fact, cash is the default for many Chinese occasions (those red envelopes bring much joy to many a young Chinese heart), and when you think about it, cash is by far the most practical solution. It may not be the most emotionally thoughtful, but since it’s the thought that counts, why not give something that everyone can use?
So I sat up and cheered when I saw this article in the Toronto Star. In the article, Peggy Mackenzie outlines 8 excellent reasons to give cash instead of gift cards, particularly when it’s an adult giving to a child or teenager. Scenario #1: Your son receives five $20 gift cards to five different stores, but she hates stores A and B, and $20 isn’t enough to get what she really wants at stores C-E. But what if she’d received 5 $20 bills? Then she can do what she wants, where she wants. And unlike some gift cards, cash never, ever goes out of date.
What do you think? Is giving cash to younger relatives/siblings totally tacky? Or is this something you do or would consider doing?
– Jean AAR
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And your point is?
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I know it is more practical, and I also know that for some it’s preferable, but something about giving cash as a holiday gift just seems cold to me. Perhaps it’s because I think gifts should be a treat given to someone, and I would guess that often times any cash gifts get applied towards paying bills. I suppose if that’s what makes the recipient happy, then that’s a successful gift. Still…
I do like giving gift cards even though it seems kind of like a retail scam, especially after reading those articles. I think if you put thought into which GCs are most appropriate for the person you are gifting to, then you minimize the chances it will go unused. For example, we are giving my daughter a Kindle Fire for Christmas, so I’ve suggested to her grandma that a Kindle GC would be welcome. Also, with teenagers, giving GCs to stores they like to shop at is nice for parents as well because it means less “can I have some money?” appeals that come with every trip to the mall.
Beyda’s is a store for mythical grandparents to shop for mythical children. Lots of blazers and bow ties in the windows, along with plaid skirts and knee socks. I think, in addition to completely anachronistic clothing, they also have school uniforms.
I love to give and receive gift cards. I’m not giving them to strangers. I know which stores, movies, restaurants, etc. my recipients like to frequent and give appropriate cards. They love them. And I know they use them. If I thought they would go to waste, I’d go another route for some people. Like my boss…
A thoughtful gift is still my preferred gift, but it’s not always easy to do.
Cash is okay in some instances, but is my least favorite.
@Rosario – Thanks for the article; it’s very interesting!
@Sandy – I completely agree. A gift card is always appreciated; but a thoughtful one makes it a true gift. (Out of curiosity, I googled Beyda’s Lad and Lassie, and I’m not totally sure what it sells. Kids sports clothing?)
Jean,
I agree that a gift card to a store you don’t shop in isn’t much of a gift. Shame on the person who bought that for you.
I guess I think that gift etiquette should extend to gift cards, as well. Give a kid a Toys R Us gift card and they (and their parents are very happy). One from Beyda’s Lad and Lassie (an actual store I wonder about every time I go past it) would not.
Take a little care when you buy a gift card. Be thoughtful.
That was an interesting article, Rosario, partly becomes it confirms my occasional experiences with the cards, both personally and with other people. There are some cards that probably work better than others (for readers, a card from a bookstore or for do-it-yourselfers, from Home Depot). But, generally, the rest of them may not be so wonderful, after all. You have to know your recipient, then go with what’s best for them and their time and tastes. And you have to watch those hidden costs. Sometimes they’re tacked on in the beginning, sometimes at the end. Some of them have monthly charges beginning after a certain date (usually a year). And, as the article said, many are never even redeemed. Totally a waste of money on the giver’s end of it.
Just thought of an example. We were at a Mexican restaurant near us. An elderly couple approached our table and offered us a gift card they had for $50. I couldn’t understand why they were doing this. They said they’ve already used theirs here and their kids always give them restaurant gift cards for Christmas and other celebrations. This one was already a year old and they said it was time to give it away before it accrued costs. That was great for us, but not so great for the original giver of that card to their parents.
I’ve no problem at all with giving or receiving cash as a gift. I’m fine with gift cards as well, but only if they aren’t overly restrictive (i.e. an Amazon gift certificate is great, but one for a particular shop I don’t often shop in and where I can spend the GC only in 1 go is not so good).
You might find this article interesting:
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/07/magazine/07wwln_freak.t.html
‘The financial-services research firm TowerGroup estimates that of the $80 billion spent on gift cards in 2006, roughly $8 billion will never be redeemed — “a bigger impact on consumers,” Tower notes, “than the combined total of both debit- and credit-card fraud.” ‘
The article also mentions the Scroogeiest economics paper I’ve ever read: “The Deadweight Loss of Christmas.” I absolutely loved it!
@Tee – Charity giving as a gift is a great idea; I should do it more often.
Re AMEX gift cards – My mother received a Visa gift card a few weeks ago, and it was THE most troublesome thing on the planet. It would charge us monthly fees after 6 months. You had to sign in online to view your balance. You couldn’t do a split payment unless you knew how much you had. Sure, if they’d stuffed the money in an envelope and wrapped it up it would have been a hell of a lot tackier – but man, it would have been easier.
@VictoriaS – See, the gas station idea is exactly why I lean more and more towards cash. Gift cards to places like B&N or Nordstrom/Wal-Mart are practically foolproof. But try something practical like a gas station? Boom.
@Sandy – Can’t say I complain when people give me gift cards. However, I have occasionally encountered stores who only allow you to exchange unwanted gift items for a credit note, and if that happens to be at a store that I don’t usually shop at, then it sits in my wallet for ages.
@LeeB – I agree. The other thing is that Chapters (the Canadian B&N) has really expanded their gift section, and I have to say their stuff is really nice now. (And I don’t just say that because I work there). So there really is something for everyone. Yeah, a Chapters gift card, if I have nothing else to get, is probably my default.