Gift Cards: bad or good?

By Ann Marie O'Dell

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This morning’s head line said “A gift card says, “There!  Checked you off my list.”  and stated how so many gift cards went unused last year, {possibly equal to unused personal Christmas gifts.} As for myself, I consider a well thought out gift card to be as compassionate as choosing the item for me. And in all honesty...I'd rather choose my own treat.

So there you have it.  Do  you chance making a wrong choice at your sister’s favorite clothing store…….or let her have the fun to pick what she wants her self with a gift card?

AN EXAMPLE OF WHY GIFT CARDS WORK:

A relative opens a present that we carefully picked out just for THEM.  Or did we pick it out for ourselves?  Relative opens our gift and a very tight smile cracks their face.   Those witnessing the moment  clearly see the “relative” hates it.  We feel hurt.     Our voice goes up 3 octaves to a shrill

“I spent forever looking ...  You like it?” {We know they don't.}

Now the relative feels obligated to stroke our hurt ego.  The less compassionate soul may look at us and just say, “What on earth were you thinking?!”  Had relative been given a gift card instead, this would have been avoided.

HOW TO MAKE A GIFT CARD MORE PERSONAL

• Attach the gift card to an attractive box of homemade cookies and baking goods.    Now you have covered 2 bases in one, having given the personal touch that makes the card seem less impersonal.
• The gift of personal care, as well as the privilege to shop with a card for something the receiver truly will use, makes you a hero!
• Attach the gift card to a box of salami, cheese and wine for the older more sophisticated taste.
• Make sure the gift card is for a shop geared to THEIR taste.  You have already eliminated the risk of making a wrong choice at their favorite store by giving them a gift card.

THE DON'T'S OF GIVING GIFT CARDS

• Don't run in to Wal-Mart and grab cards that have nothing to do with the taste of the receivers.

• Don’t just hand over a naked card!  Wrap it in a pretty box with a bow, or in a small attractive Holiday envelope.
• Giving a small child who still believes in the magic of Santa Claus,  gift cards instead of presents, just seems wrong. A gift card should only be given to a child old enough to understand its value.
• Do not give a card to someone of an age inwhich  they have had their drivers licese taken and can't get to a store, or who is so forgetful they will lose the card. I appreciate comment two for bringing this up.

REMEMBER THAT IT IS WHAT YOU ATTACH A GIFT CARD TO, THAT MAKES IT PERSOAL OR IMPERSOAL.