Cash vs. Gift Card
#11
Originally Posted by PJRider,Dec 22 2009, 07:04 AM
Cash is King!
#12
Originally Posted by dlq04,Dec 22 2009, 06:53 AM
Personally I think gift cards are a pain.
#13
Before my Mom retired, she made it clear, gift certificates and cash showed NO thought at all, when it came to gift buying. She always has put a lot of stock in Christmas, and she like surprises/presents. Gotta keep Mom happy right?
That changed when she retired. She no longer needed clothing for work, she found with a gift certificate or cash, she could do her own shopping, and most often get more for her money if she shopped around a bit.
She now readily accepts cash and gift cards. She's on a fixed income and often uses the cash to go on senior citizen day trips to wherever. The gift cards to her favorite stores are also appreciated. Generally I buy her one gift and give her some cash as well.
That changed when she retired. She no longer needed clothing for work, she found with a gift certificate or cash, she could do her own shopping, and most often get more for her money if she shopped around a bit.
She now readily accepts cash and gift cards. She's on a fixed income and often uses the cash to go on senior citizen day trips to wherever. The gift cards to her favorite stores are also appreciated. Generally I buy her one gift and give her some cash as well.
#14
I personally give cash to a few people every year for Christmas. I've been doing this for several years, they are all retired folks. I remember the first year that I sent the money. One called me up and told me that they needed a new winter coat and used the money to purchase it. That gives you a great feeling.
#16
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The beauty of gift cards is that they have to be spent.
I know if I gave some members of my family cash, it would simply go into a savings account, unspent. A wiser decision perhaps, however not nearly as fun, nor as fitting with the spirit of a gift.
With a gift card, the recipient has the perfect excuse to go splurge on something they might otherwise not have spent their own money on.
Also, a $5 bill is cheap. A $5 Starbucks card to a coffee drinker is thoughtful.
I know if I gave some members of my family cash, it would simply go into a savings account, unspent. A wiser decision perhaps, however not nearly as fun, nor as fitting with the spirit of a gift.
With a gift card, the recipient has the perfect excuse to go splurge on something they might otherwise not have spent their own money on.
Also, a $5 bill is cheap. A $5 Starbucks card to a coffee drinker is thoughtful.
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Originally Posted by Jet sitter,Dec 22 2009, 06:48 PM
^If you're only giving people $5.00 it certainly doesn't pump up their savings account very much.
"Here's $5 cash" is a pretty lame gift.
"Here's a cup of coffee since I know you're a daily drinker" is much better.
Same cost, different perception.
"Here's $100 cash" may go un-enjoyed by a recipient and forgotten in a savings account.
"Here's a $100 gift card to Best Buy to buy something silly with" is more likely to bring enjoyment with a specific item.
Same cost, different result.