starshadow_rivaulx (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
starshadow_rivaulx) wrote2007-12-13 01:33 pm
starshadow_rivaulx) wrote2007-12-13 01:33 pm
Gift cards/Gift certificates
There's this article on the internet, called "Gift Cards are not Gifts".
It has evoked a variety of responses, one of which is posted over here.
Somehow, I think Ms. Weston would be totally horrified at the custom of Filipino godparents shelling out cash presents for their godchildren on Christmas. And what would she make of the ang pao (sp?) envelopes that are a Chinese New Year tradition?
I haven't yet gotten to the point of giving gift certificates to everyone on my (microcosmic) gift list...but this year it was pretty close, with 99.9% of the people getting the same thing - ensaimada! Which are soft rolls slathered in butter and cheese, and sometimes adorned with slices of salted duck egg. If you are lucky, the rolls will be the butter type as well, for ultimate decadence.
It's all very well and good to shop for individual gifts for people; but if you don't have the time or the energy (as I did last year, when I barely had the strength to send out Christmas cards), a generic gift like a gift certificate or gift card will do nicely, I think. Real friends and family that love you would more likely prefer you to be sane and healthy over the holidays. Unfortunately, battling the Christmas rush is not conducive to such a state...oh, and gift certificates can be used long after the holidays are over (subject to expiry dates, of course)!
Just my two bits.
^.^
It has evoked a variety of responses, one of which is posted over here.
Somehow, I think Ms. Weston would be totally horrified at the custom of Filipino godparents shelling out cash presents for their godchildren on Christmas. And what would she make of the ang pao (sp?) envelopes that are a Chinese New Year tradition?
I haven't yet gotten to the point of giving gift certificates to everyone on my (microcosmic) gift list...but this year it was pretty close, with 99.9% of the people getting the same thing - ensaimada! Which are soft rolls slathered in butter and cheese, and sometimes adorned with slices of salted duck egg. If you are lucky, the rolls will be the butter type as well, for ultimate decadence.
It's all very well and good to shop for individual gifts for people; but if you don't have the time or the energy (as I did last year, when I barely had the strength to send out Christmas cards), a generic gift like a gift certificate or gift card will do nicely, I think. Real friends and family that love you would more likely prefer you to be sane and healthy over the holidays. Unfortunately, battling the Christmas rush is not conducive to such a state...oh, and gift certificates can be used long after the holidays are over (subject to expiry dates, of course)!
Just my two bits.
^.^
no subject
Someone needs to remind that writer that it's not about the gift. It's about the person caring enough to want to give a gift of any kind.