Are gift certificates a good gift?

Question

Or are they too impersonal? Thanks.

Answer 1

the great thing about gift certificates is; you can not be worried about giving the wrong gift or the person having to return because it didn't fit or wasn't in style, or your teenager didn't like the color or the item didn't cost two paychecks!

Answer 2

It really depends on the relationship or the message that you trying to convey to the individual that is receiving the gift. They are impersonal, but very useful and most do appreciate them. Such a gift is good just to give a gift, but if you trying to convey some actually thought and feelings to another you would be far better off coming up worth something from the heart. Something that has actual meaning behind it for the person as well as you.  

Answer 3

If I decide to go with the gift certificate, I always try to make it as personal as possible, such as the favorite restaraunt of the individual, or a store that caters to their particular hobby or sport.  

It may not be the most personal gift, but it least it shows you were somewhat paying attention.

Answer 4

I prefer cash in non-sequentail-un-marked bills....

Answer 5

They are an OK gift, but it isn't really something that requires a lot of thought.  It is nice for me to receive a gift certificate because I can use it to buy whatever I want.  Something that I can tell had a lot of thought behind it means more to me in the long run, though.

Answer 6

A gift certificate says "I know nothing at all about you"

BUT a gift certificate can be made acceptable by enclosing a simple note... say something like "I noticed you were into this band but I wasn't sure which CDs you had. I hope you can find one you really like" and give a gift certificate for a music store.

Or "Old Navy is having a great clearance sale right now! I hope you can find some great back to school clothes!"

Answer 7

I like gift certs. At least I will get what I want.  

Answer 8

These days when folks buy things for themselves immediately, you can never tell if they already have the things you are considering for gifts, don't know what the kids' tastes are because they change so fast, a gift certificate of gift card is a good gift IF YOU KNOW THE RECIPIENT SHOPS AT THAT PLACE.  It's useless and unappreciated to get a gift cert/card to someplace you have no interest in or wouldn't be caught dead shopping in.