<p>Yes, I know neither is creative or imaginative, but my family does not exchange gifts since the kids are grown, but I always give my children cash. In the past, I have given son’s girlfriend cash also, but a lesser amount than what I give my own kids. At Thanksgiving, S and GF mentioned excitedly a store that just opened in the town where they live. Should I give the GF a gift card to that store or just give her cash?</p>
<p>Half of me thinks the gift card would show that I listened and took note in a normal conversation of something she would like. The practical side of me thinks that cash would spend at any store.</p>
<p>I do not know if I will be seeing them at Christmas or if I will be mailing the check or card. Doesn’t really make a difference I don’t guess. </p>
<p>ETA: The gift card would require some effort on my part, as I would have to drive 30 miles to the nearest store to get it.</p>
<p>I like gift cards over cash. Cash just gets mixed up with the rest of my money, but a gift card becomes something special to spend in a particular place.</p>
<p>I’d go with the GC to the store they mentioned, especially since they seemed excited about it opening up in their town. I have purchased GCs online. Check before you make the drive–maybe you can purchase online.</p>
<p>Thanks for your responses. I will check into the online purchase. However, I have a gift card to a restaurant near this store, so I might grab a friend and make a day of it. Unfortunately, both the store and the restaurant are near a shopping mall so traffic will be an adventure. </p>
<p>I have to confess I am the world’s worst person at making decisions. I need new floor covering in my kitchen, living, and dining rooms, but I can’t decide what I want so I have done nothing…for five years. But Christmas is looming, so I WILL get the gift cards.</p>
<p>Also, see if your nearest supermarket has a gift card to the store your S and GF mentioned. Our supermarkets carry GC to many other stores and it’s easy to just grab one while you grocery shop. I like GC, they do show more thought than cash, and it IS easy to just end up merging gift cash with regular spending money.</p>
<p>If you do get gift cards, make sure it’s for a business they will definitely use and is convenient to them. </p>
<p>I’ve heard some grumbling about folks getting gift cards to places they don’t patronize and/or are too far/out of the way for them to use them. </p>
<p>As for amount of effort, that can be YMMV. For instance, it is a wash for me to give someone gift cards/coupons or cash as was the case at a recent birthday party where a friend stated gift cards/coupons would be appreciated, but don’t feel the need to bring a gift. </p>
<p>She made such a statement it because several of our mutual friends either are undergoing serious financial struggles and/or are recent graduates who have student loans to pay off. The latter was underscored when the topic of student loans came up and it seemed everyone owed tens or even hundreds of thousands in educational debt. </p>
<p>Music mom. Why not just call the store, see if you could buy a gift card and have it sent to you? I’ve bought numerous gift cards that way - for my kids in different cities, for family members who live elsewhere. It’s rare that you can’t do this. No need to go in person. </p>
<p>It SEEMS that most gift cards don’t expire anymore - but you are right Thumper, a few years ago that was a problem- I haven’t noted any that DO expire before a year or two at least. </p>
<p>Some states do not allow gift cards to expire and/or have regulations on the fees that can be charged. In WA they cannot expire. I really like that.</p>
<p>Definitely cash. Gift cards can get lost, put away and forgotten, expire or even more annoying, have only a few dollars left on them so almost impossible to use. When my niece went away to college her mom cleaned out her room and found hundreds of dollars worth of gift cards laying around. Some had the full value on them, some only what was left after a purchase. To stores my sister would never go to. What a waste. That’s why stores love selling gift cards.</p>
<p>A couple years ago I gave both kids a “cash basket” with new bills I folded, origami like, to look like dresses, shirts, ties, pants etc. I then put them on florest wire and arranged them with candy bars in a basket. I will say it took me forever to fold the bills, but it was a hit. </p>
<p>wow, mamom, that’s a great idea, but I don’t think I’m talented enough to fold bills. Plus, I may be mailing it if they won’t be able to come home. </p>
<p>Thanks everybody. I have a lot to consider.</p>
<p>I’m cheap too, deb922. I love gift cards also, but I wouldn’t give one to someone who lets them lay around unused. My son would be like that. While he’s cheap, he likes to save to the point that he’d never actually want to spend either cash or a GC. So I try to give him things he’s had his eye on or hasn’t managed to find yet. </p>
<p>I am also a coupon clipper and a thrift shopper. D is in heaven-she’s met a boy in school who loves thrifting as much as she does. They are wearing matching thrift shop sweaters today. </p>
<p>OP, are these two gift card users? You’ll usually know if they are and don’t have a history of misplacing or not using them. My kids love GC. I do think it gives them permission to splurge on a place - where as with cash they feel like they should “save” it - not bad in the long run, but not the purpose of a gift! </p>
<p>my folks have ovr $4K in gift cards, last time I organized them for the folks. Needless to say, I no longer see gift cards the same way any more. I buy experiences and take my folks out and take D for shopping trip. I buy her little things but we buy the big ones together–fewer returns.</p>