| The etiquette patrol calls it a pathetic compromise, a convenience for people who do not trust their judgment when selecting an impressive present, yet despite all the negative evaluations and name-calling, gift cards are incredibly popular.
The appeal of gift cards is obvious. They save time and mental energy for purchasers… well, most of the time. Nevertheless, there are other reasons why a gift card from a movie theater, department store, flower shop, spa, travel agency or restaurant will end up in a shopping basket.
Gift cards are a safe choice when you don't know the person very well or if you, for one reason or another, have grown apart. You may have joined in a song when your nephew was living next door, but what musical influences was he subjected to since he started studying abroad? And who wants to pay expensive shipping charges? Wouldn’t it be better if the recipient could spend the extra money you would have wasted on courier or postal services for package deliveries?
Certificates are also a great solution if you are gifting someone that seemingly already has everything or who is very hard to shop for. Yes, gift certificates cry “I’m not personal” but isn’t it the same if you buy a gift and add a “return slip”. That message states even more clearly that you doubt your own judgment. Gift certificates don't have to be impersonal. By picking them from the recipient’s favorite shopping places he or she will know you were listening. You can add a note and explain that if they keep the certificate at hand until there is a sale, they can buy twice as much for their card as what you would have gotten if you had been shopping.
According to certain survey gurus, the most frequent occasions for purchasing gift cards are birthdays and Christmas. That may be so, but other statistics show that they are a favorite all year around. Business owners like to give them to their employees for a job-well-done. Heck, I even got one from a neighbor as a thank-you for house-sitting while they were away on vacation. Gift cards come in handy any time and are perfect for anyone. They even present well, slipped into a personalized mug, decorative basket or any object or card for that matter. It doesn’t matter what the critics believe: consumers enjoy using them and retailers like getting them. Gift cards are an appropriate gift for all occasions and are here to stay!
Think of this; Gift for Dad - Cufflinks and cuff link cases are a unique gift.
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