Good idea, we could all buy the memorial pavers.

I agree, and with few exceptions I figure if I can't think of a gift better than cash then I don't care enough to give a gift in the first place. But in my opinion, gift cards are equally sucky and, unlike cash, frequently wasted completely.

I disagree completely.

Admittedly I purchase few gift cards myself, but I adore receiving them, because unlike gifts, which are purchased whole, gift cards can be pooled together to get you something really special that you are saving up for. (Especially true of Best Buy gift cards). I would buy more gift cards than I do except that my budget is limited and no amount of creative shopping makes a $10 gift card seem like a $20 gift card.

When I receive cash, it goes to bills, gas, and lunch. Talk about wasted. Gift cards "force" you to use it on something fun (obviously you COULD use it on something boring that you need, but you're less likely to)

I agree cash/gift cards can be sucky for close friends/family.

But they are great for things like Teachers, Piano Teacher, Choir Directors, Librarians - people that you'd like to do something nice for but you have no idea their tastes/needs. I tend to get ones to places like Target or Starbucks. Places the average person would go at least occasionally.

My Mom was a Kindergarten teacher. She's got acres of crap gifts from students, lotions, potions, figurines, ornaments etc etc. She taught for over 40 years so the figurine from littly Billy in 1970 has no meaning to her now. She can't remember who's who.

Maddy's elementry room Mom's organized the teacher gift giving occasions. Usually you could donate any amount you'd like (or nothing) and they would in turn get gift cards with the proceeds to places they knew the teacher could use/enjoy. I always liked this as I felt I did something nice for them but it wasn't a silly gift they'd end up tossing anyway.

I'd rather cash or a gift card then some gift I really don't like, want or need.

And I disagree with you! Who wins!?

I'm not sure why buying your groceries or next tank of gas is any less a gift than buying your DVD player. Or how "I give you the ability to buy anything you want in the world" is worse than "I give you the ability to buy anything you want in Home Depot but you have to do it within the next 180 days or the value of this gift will begin dwindling to nothing or you put it away for a special occasion and then completely forget about it."

But then, buying lunch is, to me, no more or less fun than buying a DVD. If you really want to insist that I buy a DVD, I'd really prefer you took the time to try and pick a DVD you think I'd like. Worst case, I return it and get something else (or throw it away which is likely the same result eventually as a gift card). Best case I think you actually care enough to try.

But I thought receiving gifts annoys you.

Crap. Do I give Alex a gift, a gift card? or nothing?

I think I'll just give him mojo for the holidays. :)

Don't forget the smilies. And an avatar and image in your signature in his honor.

This post has nothing to do with the debate at hand (though I do fall on the side of the "I'd rather have a gift card than cash" side of the arguement)...

First off, I wanted to say thank you for all of the "Auntie" wishes. The little guy seems to be a hell-raiser, so my sister is getting NO sleep. I am just glad that it is her and not me. :D

That all being said, I thought you might enjoy my middle daughter's latest...

I threw a "Winter Wonderland" party in her first grade class on Friday and one of the craft centers was to make a snowman out of paper plates. The kids had to do some simple cutting and gluing (his hat, mittens and boots), and then had the option of coloring his mouth and buttons.

Now mind you, every other one of the 24 children in the class made pretty typical snowmen, all of which would make Frosty proud.

My daughter, well...she prides herself on being different.

Let me introduce you to "Bad-Ass Frosty"...



Yes, those would be tattoos on his belly.

swanie

Bad-Ass Frosty is cool. Kids have a great imagination.