Best and worst gifts

[Alex]

Best: A $30 Applebee's gift card.

Worst: A $30 Applebee's gift card.

It was the only gift I received this year (how wonderful it was to find that my new job doesn't really do anything for Christmas, which makes sense since about 70% of the office are people of non-Christian extraction).

I hate getting gift cards. Not because they are tacky or show a lack of effort. If you buy me a gift and it takes you two minutes or 2,000 it is the same to me. I hate gift cards because they generally shift the burden of shopping from the gifter to me. Giving me the gift of shopping is giving me the gift of time spent in hell. I spent two hours shopping for a watch on Saturday and by the end of that I literally wanted to come home and take a nap I was so worn out.

So, 90% of the gift cards I get eventually just get thrown away because I'd rather not go to Wal-Mart or Barnes & Noble or Home Depot or World of Disney or wherever and I'm not going to keep them in my wallet for when life forces me into one of those establishments.

But as far as gift cards go, restaurant gift cards are probably best since I do eat out all of the time and doing so isn't shopping.

That said, Lani and I regularly make fun of the people lined up at our local Applebee's. Who the hell willingly eats at Applebee's if there is another restaurant within 40 miles (let alone 50 feet as in the case of this Applebee's)?

But regardless of the fact that we'll probably never use it I am glad to receive it since the last few years my grandparents have been going through a rough financial patch and weren't able to include anything with their Christmas cards. Not getting anything was fine (most years I never cashed the check they'd send anyway) but it was saddening knowing that they didn't because they couldn't.

[MouseWife]

It would seem I screwed up on some gifts. Gave the Hubster a jacket that was too small. {he has lost a lot of weight and I thought this was his new size...} He put it on to show me it didn't fit and it was quite funny.

I also gave my sis something too small {she says, she won't even try it on }. A nice robe type thing, lounger?

I get what you say about gift cards, Alex. I used to feel that way, too. But, they don't expire and you can give them away if you don't think you'll use them. {before I felt like I had to use it right away, buy something 'gifty' since it was a gift, etc.}.

It does feel strange just giving a card. The Chickies boyfriend said that was all he wanted, as he is going to purchase something much larger and saving towards it. But, as everyone was enjoying opening their gifts, he had just a couple. That made me feel badly even though it is what he wanted.

But, I feel worse receiving gifts when we said weren't exchanging them...duh, cause I didn't get one for you!! I don't mind not receiving. Just don't f me over by getting me something and making me feel like crap. Stick to the rules.

I received a lot of wonderful movies, jewelry, a Jack Sparrow figurine and the Disney Scene It? game. I haven't unwrapped it because we are all going to play it and I promised no one would have the upper hand by playing it before the gang does.

[Alex]

On Saturday there was a bit on NPR with a "shopping psychologist" and she was talking about gift cards.

She said that men don't like gift cards because they trust their women to get them good presents and women like gift cards because they don't trust their men to get them good presents.

First I was puzzled by this idea that people are only getting presents from the opposite gender. But I also figure that if stereotypes are going to be the cause, the much more likely on is that generally men don't like to shop and that women do.

She also said that that kids like gift cards because they don't trust adults to buy them good gifts. I believe that one. However, if you're going to just give someone the gift of shopping, does it really show much more thoughtfulness to limit that shopping to a single store? Instead of a $100 Home Depot card (or whatever) just give me the $100 in cash and save me a trip to the ATM this week.

[Strangler Lewis]

Originally Posted by Alex Stroup

However, if you're going to just give someone the gift of shopping, does it really show much more thoughtfulness to limit that shopping to a single store? Instead of a $100 Home Depot card (or whatever) just give me the $100 in cash and save me a trip to the ATM this week.

I think that if you give someone a targeted gift card, as opposed to a Visa gift card, you are at least saying that you know something about the person and what they're into. You're also giving them a slightly cool techie thing to whip out.

At Starbuck's the other day I had the good fortune to be stuck behind a woman buying $450 in gift cards in varying denominations up to $100 for a list of recipients as long as your arm. I am sure those gifts will be used.

[MouseWife]

Ooo!! I got a Starbucks giftcard! I am itching to use it right now!!!

I think that is totally true about kids and giftcards. The one who wanted one told me where from. I think it also helps them {in this case} not to spend it on something else {like they would cash}.

I usually give Target cards because the store has a lot of things and there has to be something someone would like.

But, I like this concept of the 'Visa' card because you can use it on line to purchase things like a credit card. While someone may not like to go to stores, there is so much on line to buy.

And, I will exchange the gifts I messed up on and not make them do it. I don't want to give them an errand, either. Although I wish she'd at least try the thing on!!

But I get it about guys not wanting to shop and I get it also about knowing someone and what to buy them. Unfortunately, my family gets what they want all year so there isn't much I can get them. And no, I can not get them the 2007 Mustang. If I could I'd be driving it myself!! Rented an '06 twice and it was fun!

[Strangler Lewis]

Originally Posted by Alex Stroup

Best: A $30 Applebee's gift card.

Worst: A $30 Applebee's gift card.

If you buy me a gift and it takes you two minutes or 2,000 it is the same to me. I hate gift cards because they generally shift the burden of shopping from the gifter to me.

The comic, Jim Gaffigan, has a bit to the same effect about people who buy something ugly and thoughtless and say with a giggle and a shrug as it's being opened, "You can always return it." "How about I just throw it in the garbage? I want a gift. Not an errand."