There’s a low-rumbling, ongoing holiday debate about whether or not buying a gift card as a holiday offering is a smart choice or a lazy one. Certainly, it depends on the recipient. Buying a Wal-Mart gift card for your romantically inclined girlfriend probably isn’t a great idea, but for your kid’s teacher, it might make all the sense in the world.
In general, is it OK to buy gift cards for holiday presents or should you keep thinking and find something more personalized? Sound off, readers, on this hot, holiday issue.
Gift cards make great gifts. Despite good intentions, most people botch gift giving. So often, people spend money on something that gets donated or re-gifted. Giving gift cards guarantees that the person will like your holiday gift, and it stretches out the season by allowing people to treat themselves after the holidays are over. Plus, where you buy the gift card requires some thought, so it’s more personalized than just giving money.
Gift cards make lame gifts. If you can’t take the time to pick out a gift for someone, why bother giving one? Gift cards scream, "I had no idea what to get you, so here." I guess if someone I don’t know very well gave me a gift card it would be OK, but if a loved one gave me a gift card I would feel slightly insulted.
