STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

travelgirl · Kate Spade

Do you like getting gift certificates as gifts?

Drew · Gucci

It may be the easy way out, but at least with a gift certificate to a place I know my loved one shops at (or an Amex card if I don't know) I know the money won't be waisted. I have received a ton of well meaning, but useless to me gifts and I would hate to think I would waste money on someone else with something they don't need or want.

However, if I am 90-100% certain that they will love a certain gift then I am thrilled to get it for them.

I guess I think a little too practical about gifts.

blink · Coach

I voted GC, but it really depends on what I want at the time. I have to admit that most gifts I receive are not really so well thought out or the gift buyer just doesn't get me, I wish all gifts I got could be purchased by someone who reads my mind like a very best friend, but often I get a gift I really don't need and I end up wishing I had got a GC instead.

Ally S · Kate Spade

While I love getting a GC to a great place, I'd rather unwrap something. Hopefully the package will hold something I have been lusting over which makes it all the better. I love presents!

ILoveChoo · Hermes

Ally S wrote:

While I love getting a GC to a great place, I'd rather unwrap something. Hopefully the package will hold something I have been lusting over which makes it all the better. I love presents!

ita. although a gc is a million times better than cash (will just end up going towardgroceries or something boring like that)

Hedvig · Coach

I love getting actual gifts. I feel like I'll always be able to remember who gave me that particular gift, whereas GCs feel a bit impersonal to me. But I have nothing against getting a GC if it's either to Anthropologie or Barnes&Noble!

Kelly · Hermes

While a gift certificate can be nice because I like shopping, I'll barely remember a month later what I got with it and what I bought with my own money. And the giver doesn't know what s/he got me, either. With a present, though, I can keep it and love it and always remember my loved ones when I use/look at it. If I hate it? I can always store it away until they come over, then wear it/use it/etc. When they see it, they'll feel loved because they'll remember the thought they put into making me happy.

The exception is if it's a relative that I'm not especially close with, e.g. someone who lives hours and hours away, I only see once a year, but perhaps wants to give me a present for graduation, etc. If someone doesn't really know me or my tastes, a GC is much better because it shows that they care, but doesn't load up my house with crap. But if it's someone that I know well, I don't like getting a GC because I feel like they didn't even want to put the effort into showing me that they care.

-- Edited by ttara123 at 23:12, 2006-05-13

erin · Chanel

depends. sometimes i love getting a gift card if it's to a store i like, but i do prefer an actual gift most of the time.

Maddie · Coach

I'm very particular so you pretty much cannot buy me a gift that I will like unless I specifically requested it. Because of this, I prefer gift cards, although cash is really my favorite. I have probably $200 to iTunes right now when all I really want is $20 to go out to dinner.

I also always give gift cards because I'm self centered and incapable of picking a gift another person will like. I only know what I like and I have a really weird sense of humor.

-- Edited by Maddie at 18:51, 2006-05-14

Cortney1982 · Chanel

It depends who it comes from. I never give gift cards because I like picking out gifts for people (usually clothing) because I know what they like and I know they like it because I see them wearing it!

I prefer to get gifts picked out because I like it when people take time to pick me out something and see what they like to get me.

e_doli · Dooney & Bourke

Maddie wrote:

I'm very particular so you pretty much cannot buy me a gift that I will like unless I specifically requested it. Because of this, I prefer gift cards, although cash is really my favorite. I have probably $200 to iTunes right now when all I really want is $20 to go out to dinner.

i am totally this way too. i return most gifts that people buy me, and my friends/relatives have started catching on and just giving me gift cards. the problem is, that i can never seem to find anything at the place i have a gc for, and then i'll find a thousand things i want at other stores. or i'll feel like i have to use the gc for the "perfect" thing and never end up spending it. i have $300 at crate and barrel that i've had for 3 years, $200 at garnet hill, and $200 at jasmine sola that i can't seem to spend.

dot · Marc Jacobs

i also feel like when i get a gc there is also pressure to get something really great or really worth it. i also end up spending money that i would probably would not have spent if it weren't for the gc.

kahluamilk · Dooney & Bourke

I prefer getting gift certificates.. only cos I think my friends have bad taste and I'd rather not pretend to like something..

-- Edited by kahluamilk at 18:57, 2006-05-15

mikacat · Coach

i personally love them!!

cat · Marc Jacobs

It really depends who it is from.
Outside of my Mom I rather my family give me a gift card then and actual gift cause they seem to have no clue as to what my interests or style really are.

calico · Kenneth Cole

ttara123 wrote:

If someone doesn't really know me or my tastes, a GC is much better because it shows that they care, but doesn't load up my house with crap. But if it's someone that I know well, I don't like getting a GC because I feel like they didn't even want to put the effort into showing me that they care.

This is exactly what I think. I would not like say, my boyfriend or mom to buy me gift certificates, but I would and do totally appreciate my mom's great aunt that I see maybe once every two years or something sending a GC.

Alikat · Kate Spade

cat wrote:

It really depends who it is from.Outside of my Mom I rather my family give me a gift card then and actual gift cause they seem to have no clue as to what my interests or style really are.

Same here - I have a few family members and friends who give good gifts, but a gift card is better from most people. However, my BF gave me a gift card once and I was super disappointed... I guess I expect more from him, which is silly because he's pretty clueless.