I was just looking at a gift certificate my dad got for his birthday for a local pizza place. I’ve given out gift cards myself for Christmas before.
But…I was just thinking…does it really make any sense to give people a gift card or certificate? I mean, your basically saying “Here is 50 dollars, but I’m not going to let you spend it where you want, you must spend it at this specific place.”
I mean usually they don’t give you a discount for gift cards. It costs you the same as giving someone cash. Wouldn’t it make more sense to just give someone 50 dollars that they can spend wherever they want?
When I was twelve it was my brothers birthday and I went into his room and put £5 on the table he came to my room later and threw it at me. Giving money isn’t wrapped up as nicely as a voucher.
I only buy gift cards to a place I know the recipient loves. Shows effort and caring that I selected a thoughtful gift.
But also, I prefer to give gift cards, because there’s a much better chance the recipient will actually treat themselves with something they normally wouldn’t spring for.
With some people, cash can just be stuffed in a wallet and slowly spent on little stuff. But a good $100 Amazon card for example, seems better than cash to me. Everyone shops at Amazon, and they pretty much have everything. Treat yourself!
Of course, if the recipient loves a local business, I’m more than happy to choose a specialty shop nearby. Then it’s a treat that supports a small business too. Win/win.
Gift giving is stoopid most of the time. Its supposed to symbolize selflessness, but really its about being forced by convention to buy something now. Ive given gift cards because giving cash is sort of like giving someone charity, but that is actually more in the spirit even if they dont need it. Gift card is not charity because it is less useful for them, so more like a gift. Stoopid.
