Do You Give Gifts Or Money When You Dont Know What They Want?

I tend to TRY to give gifts...I find that the people in my life that are hard to get for...are also the people who REFUSE to use a gift card (My Dad) because "you dont care enough to pick out a real present" theres some people i can get away with doing that but others not a chance.

I belong to another board called Gather where you can get either cash or gift cards. I opt for gift cards and send them out at Christmas and other occasions.

Depends on the person....I know that for me its money..Yesterday was my birthday and the only present I got was from the bf...and my best friend surpised me by showing up with my neice and nephew and she brought me flowers and a giant happy face balloon LOL..From my hubby/kid and my mother I got money which is just how I like it....I have a few friends that I know what they'd like etc so I get them gifts, others not so much so - they get money LOL

I usually give a small gift and a big gift card. At Christmas my kids actually tell me where they want the gift card to. Last year my daughter and son in law wanted one for Texas Roadhouse restaurant so I gave that to them. The grandkids tell me to. They do not live close to me so it's easier and cheaper to give a gift card and they get exactly what they want.

That is a good idea if you have spare money to burn, but if you have just sufficient budget for gifts then I suggest that you try to be more creative in giving one. Also, you can give gcs as a gift instead of cash. As for me I make sure that I know the person that I will give a present or else I just try to give that individual a gift that he/she will truly like. I never made an error in this field yet. They always like what I gave them.

Ya know this is a very good discussion right before the holidays. I truthfully have half my family do that to me and it drives me nuts. I mean if you find something you want for whatever holiday just let people know, chances are you'll get it from somebody even if it is expensive. I have 2 nieces that are only 7 & 10 years younger than me and i used to be able to buy them just what i like cause they liked the same stuff, now the last 3 years their just hopeless and i need to always get gift cards and stuff and it feels like your graded at that point of how much the gift card is ya know.

I have done that before. I find no problem with giving money as a gift, because it is practical, and something that the recipient can always use. As for how little or how much I give, I am not upset by "financial value" because I know that it is the thought that counts. I also really enjoy receiving money as a gift, because of the practical aspect, and the fact that i can SAVE it!!

I much prefer giving and receiving gift cards or cash, because I know the gift will be truly something wanted or needed.

Well, in such instances, we would prefer to give a gift card or cash. Rather than buying something that the person receiving would not need or use, a gift card or cash would be more practical. Cos if you get a gift that is not appreciated, it will most likely end up in some corner collecting dust. Waste of time and effort searching for the gift, not to mentioned the money to buy the gift only to be chucked in a corner of the store. So, going by practical logic, a gift card or cash would be a better gift.

I will usualy just give out gift cards since I never really can be for sure what someone will like or not.

I havent had a problem deciding that because my friends and relatives circle has very few people, so most probably i know them quite well that i can easily understand which gift would suit them and gift them accordingly

I have no problem giving gift cards, because there are some people out there i have no idea what to get them. I would rather get someone a gift card to there favorite store then getting them something they don't like or wont use. Buying gift cards at least guarantees they will get something they like. See i am still having a fit over what to get you for your bday. I have had a few ideas, but none i really like. I had trouble getting my own brother a bday present and was going to give him money to go to this store the sells the kind of stuff he likes, but i found something the other day i know he would like and got it for him. It was about a week late but hey its was better than nothing. My dad is another difficult person. I usually buy him gift cards and one time when i didn't he didn't really like his present. So now if there is not a movie out i know he wants, gift cards it is.

When im giving presents to my sister or relatives. I ask them what they like, stuff ,jewelry or money. They always said money, so they can choose what they like, thent hey can save that money for the future. But when it comes to my godson i always give him baby stuff if i don't have time for shopping i just give cash and tell her mom to buy whatever he needs.

It does seem impersonal to give money as a gift,but as we live in a world where everyone has so much then it becomes harder to choose a gift for anyone.I find it extremely difficult to buy gifts now,for family or friends,and nigh on impossible for any children,the children in the family have so much its beyong belief.Thet have Nintendo game boys,x boxes,,nintendo Wiis,dvd playes,video recorders,well the list is endless,and they have every new certoon dvd or Disney dvd that ha ever been released,it seems that there will be a craze on sometihng and every child in the neighbourhood has to have it.I have now given up lol and have formed the idea that the only way forward is to give them money,if the parents are givent the money then they can buy the children what they know they would like,there is too much danger of duplication if I buy anything.But the adults only get token presents really,some soap,cream bath,or smeelies,and very often I will pick those up throut the year in the sales ans specail offers.

Money is always a safe bet as a gift, because it's something that everyone can use. some people say it is thoughtless to give money that it means one did not put thought into the gift, but I think it's a much more thoughtful gift than giving someone something that they can not use. I prefer getting money as a gift.

Most of the time, I give money or gift cards. Unfortunately, I don't live near my family so I'm never sure if they have this or that particular game, cd, book, etc... This way they can buy what they want. Anyway, at least for my family, money or gift cards to their favorite store(s) are preferred.