S2KRAY

Especially for my nephew who is going to graduate school at Clemson. He always needs money so he can buy lots of beer for himself and his buddy's.

Kyras

One year I gave my daughter and her boyfriend gift cards to IHOP. They both love it and I thought if I gave them cash they'd spend it on something else and not enjoy going out to breakfast like I had hoped they would.

Lainey

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.

Jet sitter

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.

RC - Ryder

We do gift cards some. Mostly restaurant cards because that's what they want. The older grandkids are given a CC line of credit to use at approved sites.

i_heart_my_DB8

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.

Jet sitter

^If you're only giving people $5.00 it certainly doesn't pump up their savings account very much.

i_heart_my_DB8

Exactly my point:

"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.

zzziippyyy

If your handing me $ Ill take it in either form. Thank You

fallen612

why not one of the visa prepaid cards. they come in a lot of different amounts and you can use it almost anywhere.