Gift cards or presents for Christmas giving.
Posted by: s
2nd Dec 2024 02:31pm
Do you purchase mainly gift cards or presents for Christmas?
This year for me it is mainly presents but a couple of gift cards mainly for adults... anyone else feel the same?
This year for me it is mainly presents but a couple of gift cards mainly for adults... anyone else feel the same?
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Comments 28
Mastimo
I tend to do a mix of both Gift Cards & Presents, as some of the Grandkids are older they prefer Gift Cards, but the younger ones I purchase presents.
With other members of the family we only do gifts at Christmas when we are all together and we usually do Secret Santa and it needs to be a funny or quirky gift.
y_not
I like to give gifts. I think I enjoy wrapping them and seeing the mound of gifts under my tree as much as the joy the gift gives
Bella4927
I did a mix of both as everyone is widespread and even though I shop all year, I dont always find the perfect gift for everyone during the year.
Ziah
A combination of both. One year I gave my husband a new leather wallet - filled with gift cards to his favourite cafe, bookshop, iTunes/Apple, Playstation and a dozen more. He absolutely loved it. I also have nephews who live interstate, and Australian postage is cost-prohibitive to send them gifts - so they other get cash or cards to go and choose what they want. But I also have the reputation in my family/friends circle as "The Gift Whisperer" - able to find *the* perfect gift/s every year, and I have to live up to that reputation.
Juliette31984417
gift cards are great, people can get what they want, people have more time to think and choose, you don't have to second guess. Most older people are not into the Santa Claus magic, presents appearing overnight and the ceremonial unwrapping, but it is great fun for kids. I always found Christmas disappointing as rarely got anything that I really liked more what my parents thought I would like
ab
Gift cards are a slippery slope away from handing over cash. It's a slope my family slid down, many years ago. We started giving each other cash... from there, it was a hop, skip and jump before we agreed to not bother with cash... just go out and buy yourself something and say it was from me and I'll do the same for you.
Problem sorted. 😂
That said, if I had children... I'd definitely buy them gifts, just to see their faces and excitement of unwrapping their gift.
BigRev
I buy gift cards almost exclusively for a very simple reason - the recipient can use it to pay for, or use towards a purchase of their choice, rather than choosing something the recipient may not like (wrong colour, size, wrong design. whatever..), or what we thoight they said was not correct!
Motherparrot
We buy for our 3 adult sons and their partners. Even when they were younger I would buy gifts for them as something to do, something to wear and something to eat. One year they truly became adults when they asked for socks and jocks as their something to wear category! I resist the urge to give them money or gift cards but this Christmas one couple have moved into their first apartment which they bought so it was easier to give them money as they needed lots of little items to set up their new home. I was able to take advantage of the sales in November to buy items I had been researching a few weeks before from ideas which were suggested to me by them.
Lynstar59
I gave gift cards and cash this year as its so hard to buy the right gifts for everyone.
normarand
I think it depends on the situation and how well you know the person you are gifting to. This past Christmas I had mostly presents for my family, as I know them all well and can make an educated guess as to what they would like to receive. I have one nephew who I don't know very well, so he gets a gift card every year. He has never complained. The other thing I make sure of, with all my Christmas presents, is that I pay by cash and keep the receipt. Then, if I do purchase something someone doesn't like, then it is easier for them to change the gift or get the money back. They can then choose their own gift.
John3259
Money paid directly to the relevant bank accounts is how I gift,why tie your gift to specific retailers and reduce the choices open to the recipients?
Hes
Got my daughter a gift card from Woolworths but was charged an $8.00 fee! My son in law got a gift card from Sydney tools and they did not charge a fee!!. I don't see great value in gift cards if they continue charging fees. But they are an easy was to get a gift when you can't think of anything to buy someone.
jatz50
The only gift card we buy is for the older adults which are only 2. We have no idea what to buy them and this way they can pick what they need and want. Otherwise, I love buying gifts for the other people in our lives and the grandkids. Last year I started a bit earlier as didn't want to get caught at the shops with the other million people. I look for interesting items for everyone and all seem happy with their purchases. There are great interesting gifts out there at the shops or even online.
Mevanwy
I give money to all my grand kids under eighteen years of age.
site77
I buy more Gift Cards, because it is more practical the person who receives chooses what they want and the gift may have to exchange for some reason
Radda
A well-chosen gift card can certainly be appreciated, but many still value the thoughtfulness of a personal gift. My kids still love surprises of opening that beautifully wrapped gift. The unknown is keeping you in suspence for those few seconds while opening the box/bag/package. The adrenaline is pumping and…. surprise!!! My kids loved their presents this year and I will continue to make their life happier every year 😍
marchi
I prefer giving money or doing a bank transfer to my daughter's for her presents as she lives in outback Australia Gift Cards are just not practical nowhere to spend them and using them online the postage outweighs the cost of the card.
Yqsymnx
Gift cards are such a cop out. Just give them the money.
But what do you give people that have everything?
baccus
When it comes to Christmas giving, I tend to favour presents over gift cards, as there’s something wonderfully personal about selecting a gift tailored to someone’s tastes. For me, it’s about the thought behind the gesture, the joy of unwrapping, and the memories that a well-chosen gift can create. That said, I do think gift cards have their place, particularly for adults who might appreciate the flexibility to pick out something they truly want or need.
This year, I’ve leaned more towards presents, but like you, I’ve included a few gift cards for those harder-to-buy-for individuals. It strikes a nice balance, especially when time is tight or preferences are tricky to pinpoint. Ultimately, whether it’s a gift card or a carefully wrapped present, the spirit of giving is what matters most.
trishf
I usually buy Gift Cards as the main gift, but always include a smaller personal item like chocolates, perfume, clothing etc.
kezmag
Mine is a mixture of cash, gift cards and presents.
I love to receive gift cards and then I can buy what I need.
When I give gift cards I usually buy a personal gift for them as well.
MumAils
I did a mixture of both for my daughters this year. I made up a basket with kitchen things in it and put in a voucher as well.
ivory
I try to do a mixture of both. If they don't like what I bought them they can also buy something they do like for themselves.
ellamay
Last year I gave out presents but usually in past years I buy gift cards for my Mum and sister as I never know what t buy the and they can choose themselves what to buy. I also received gift cards for my Christmas present this year
ventnorgirl
I give all year
ventnorgirl
Nothing i give all the tear
wendel
My partner loves his scratchies, so I buy him $50 worth every Xmas and Birthday, loves it. Easily pleased.
jtmorri
Neither. I give money to my daughter and buy no one else a present or gift card. I don't even send Christmas cards or a Christmas email. I don't find it necessary.