[katiesue]

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.