The “Water Cooler” is a feature on Claycord.com where we ask you a question or provide a topic, and you talk about it.
The “Water Cooler” will be up Monday-Friday at noon.
QUESTION: Do you like gift certificates/gift cards? Do you still like to get and give them?
Talk about it….
Yes, I like to receive them. I’ll give them to a person who I know is not put off by one.
Never have, never will. Gift certificates give the impression of uncaring and thoughtlessness,
that I’m too lazy to shop for a gift I think the recipient will appreciate. They are cold and impersonal, devoid of feelings or thought.
I like gift certificates if it’s for a place I shop at. I don’t give them, but I do give gift cards occasionally. Only Visa gift cards because I know they’ll be used.
Give me one, I’ll use it
Hate them because of all the possible scams that associate with gift cards. Furthermore, the purchase options are limited to the stores that offer the gift cards. I rather get and receive cash. Cash is king and less chance of Uncle Sam getting his cut.
Use to hate them but now understand their utility. Used to be a time where you would spend a lot of time to purchase that perfect gift, something the recipient would not buy themselves, and usually would need or use. Today, when somebody wants something, they buy it then and there. So to find a meaningful gift that would be appreciated is challenging. So I will use gift cards if buying for nieces/nephews (which we do not do anymore). TBH, I do not do the Christmas/gift shopping. The only one I shop for is my better half, and a gift card ain’t gonna cut it. As far as receiving, I am one of those types who do not want any gifts, whatsoever. I have had prior gift cards that sat unused for a number of years, then ended up using them just for regular needs. Though I guess I would prefer a gift card over most gifts I would never use.
I’m of two minds. I appreciate getting gifts from friends and family that know me and my taste. I love shopping for friends and family and go to great lengths to find something I’m pretty sure they will like. However, I would rather have a gift card, than a gift I have no use for or don’t like. Some people are so hard to buy for, they either change their taste constantly (teen agers) or have almost everything under the sun. In Denmark it is custom when you are invited to someone’s house for dinner or a party you bring something for the hostess, usually chocolate, a plant or flowers. If I give a gift card and I give it in person I will usually either bring a bouquet of flowers or a flowering plant, like an orchid. I have yet to meet someone who does not like orchids. If it is a male a bottle of wine or some other favorite, vodka, whisky, etc..