Comments on: Question of the Day – Gift Cards http://allfinancialmatters.com/2006/12/11/question-of-the-day-gift-cards/ A personal finance blog dedicated to discussing such topics as budgeting, asset allocation, 401K, IRA, cash flow, insurance, financial planning, portfolio management, and other areas in personal finance. Thu, 24 May 2012 12:43:16 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v= By: Angela http://allfinancialmatters.com/2006/12/11/question-of-the-day-gift-cards/comment-page-1/#comment-53688 Angela Wed, 13 Dec 2006 17:19:24 +0000 http://allfinancialmatters.com/2006/12/11/question-of-the-day-gift-cards/#comment-53688 Over here in the UK you can get book tokens which can be used in pretty much any bookshop, from small independent retailers to large chains. If I'm getting a giftcard, thats probably what I'll get. Over here in the UK you can get book tokens which can be used in pretty much any bookshop, from small independent retailers to large chains. If I’m getting a giftcard, thats probably what I’ll get.

]]> By: Denise http://allfinancialmatters.com/2006/12/11/question-of-the-day-gift-cards/comment-page-1/#comment-53593 Denise Tue, 12 Dec 2006 23:10:25 +0000 http://allfinancialmatters.com/2006/12/11/question-of-the-day-gift-cards/#comment-53593 I'm a fan of restaurant certificates more so than gift cards, also. Just nice to force some folks to enjoy themselves -- and to think of me while they do :-). Also, I think it's a little easier to make sure you cover the full cost of something, too. I always hated it when someone would give me a Tower Records gift certificate for less than the cost of a CD with tax. It was a nice thought -- but it's not a gift in full. There's no way I could use it without supplementing it. Not that you couldn't get in the same boat at a restaurant, but you can pretty much figure how much a meal will cost. I am not as much of a fan for spa certificates for some reason -- probably again because they are never enough to cover a full service. If you're buying a spa certificate, buy the service, including tip, if you can, as opposed to buying a $ figure -- that way you're not asking them to use their own money to redeem it. I’m a fan of restaurant certificates more so than gift cards, also. Just nice to force some folks to enjoy themselves — and to think of me while they do :-) . Also, I think it’s a little easier to make sure you cover the full cost of something, too. I always hated it when someone would give me a Tower Records gift certificate for less than the cost of a CD with tax. It was a nice thought — but it’s not a gift in full. There’s no way I could use it without supplementing it. Not that you couldn’t get in the same boat at a restaurant, but you can pretty much figure how much a meal will cost.

I am not as much of a fan for spa certificates for some reason — probably again because they are never enough to cover a full service. If you’re buying a spa certificate, buy the service, including tip, if you can, as opposed to buying a $ figure — that way you’re not asking them to use their own money to redeem it.

]]> By: Stacey http://allfinancialmatters.com/2006/12/11/question-of-the-day-gift-cards/comment-page-1/#comment-53408 Stacey Mon, 11 Dec 2006 23:52:25 +0000 http://allfinancialmatters.com/2006/12/11/question-of-the-day-gift-cards/#comment-53408 I love giving and receiving gift cards. I hate buying and receiving CR**! With a nod to Cap...If I get one more candle I'll scream! So, my favorites are restaurants (With Chilis--I keep the 20% bonus gift card when purchasing $25 increments. I also love to give Blockbuster (again, I keep the bonus gift card) I give gift certificates to my parents for their favorite restaurants and to the local movie theater. It's my way of ensuring they have some fun on their limited budget. For the kids, they get their share of dvds, books, and some boardgames. No video game stuff tho'. Historically, I've also put $200-250 into each son's 529 plan. I love giving and receiving gift cards. I hate buying and receiving CR**! With a nod to Cap…If I get one more candle I’ll scream!

So, my favorites are restaurants (With Chilis–I keep the 20% bonus gift card when purchasing $25 increments. I also love to give Blockbuster (again, I keep the bonus gift card)

I give gift certificates to my parents for their favorite restaurants and to the local movie theater. It’s my way of ensuring they have some fun on their limited budget.

For the kids, they get their share of dvds, books, and some boardgames. No video game stuff tho’. Historically, I’ve also put $200-250 into each son’s 529 plan.

]]> By: sam http://allfinancialmatters.com/2006/12/11/question-of-the-day-gift-cards/comment-page-1/#comment-53399 sam Mon, 11 Dec 2006 22:25:36 +0000 http://allfinancialmatters.com/2006/12/11/question-of-the-day-gift-cards/#comment-53399 I give a lot of gift cards. Restaurants gift cards are among my favorites. I also like Target cards. I give a lot of gift cards. Restaurants gift cards are among my favorites. I also like Target cards.

]]> By: Traciatim http://allfinancialmatters.com/2006/12/11/question-of-the-day-gift-cards/comment-page-1/#comment-53387 Traciatim Mon, 11 Dec 2006 20:58:11 +0000 http://allfinancialmatters.com/2006/12/11/question-of-the-day-gift-cards/#comment-53387 I am giving my sister a Home Depot one since she is buying a house. It's got a picture of paint brushes on it and it will be hiding in the interior paint section of the home maintenance book that I also got her. Since my Mom was too difficult to shop for, I got her one to the local Mall so that she can use it in any of the stores in the 3 major malls in my area, since the same company owns them all. I figure it will be good for a great jacket or a nice outfit. I am giving my sister a Home Depot one since she is buying a house. It’s got a picture of paint brushes on it and it will be hiding in the interior paint section of the home maintenance book that I also got her.

Since my Mom was too difficult to shop for, I got her one to the local Mall so that she can use it in any of the stores in the 3 major malls in my area, since the same company owns them all. I figure it will be good for a great jacket or a nice outfit.

]]> By: Matt http://allfinancialmatters.com/2006/12/11/question-of-the-day-gift-cards/comment-page-1/#comment-53094 Matt Mon, 11 Dec 2006 19:54:32 +0000 http://allfinancialmatters.com/2006/12/11/question-of-the-day-gift-cards/#comment-53094 Nope, no gift cards this year. This year is on a budget because we're saving for the wedding. Gifts will be small and a lot of people are going to get cards and a small bottle of wine at best. I've given them in the past but they're very uninventive and really don't show any thought behind the gift. It seems like you're getting the card because you couldn't be bothered to think up a nice gift idea. Nope, no gift cards this year. This year is on a budget because we’re saving for the wedding. Gifts will be small and a lot of people are going to get cards and a small bottle of wine at best.

I’ve given them in the past but they’re very uninventive and really don’t show any thought behind the gift. It seems like you’re getting the card because you couldn’t be bothered to think up a nice gift idea.

]]> By: HC http://allfinancialmatters.com/2006/12/11/question-of-the-day-gift-cards/comment-page-1/#comment-53090 HC Mon, 11 Dec 2006 19:41:30 +0000 http://allfinancialmatters.com/2006/12/11/question-of-the-day-gift-cards/#comment-53090 I'm probably going to get one cousin an iTunes gift card, because he has an iPod that he uses a lot. I prefer to give store gift cards, because you can bundle them with some suggestions (Borders? Here's the NYT Year-end Review of Books. iTunes? Here's a list of the Metacritic winners. This won't necessarily work for clothing stores, though.). Regular debit-type gift cards are just cash, and I'd just as soon give an envelope with bills in it at that point. I’m probably going to get one cousin an iTunes gift card, because he has an iPod that he uses a lot.

I prefer to give store gift cards, because you can bundle them with some suggestions (Borders? Here’s the NYT Year-end Review of Books. iTunes? Here’s a list of the Metacritic winners. This won’t necessarily work for clothing stores, though.). Regular debit-type gift cards are just cash, and I’d just as soon give an envelope with bills in it at that point.

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