Gift cards are nice to give to the fussy, kids and teens love them so that they can get what they want, and those who have everything (or so it seems).

I still prefer to give personal gifts to those I buy for - sometimes adding a gift card to it. And I make sure that the gift card I give will still have the same face amount value if they don't use it right away. I never buy a gift card that has "attached fees" to it.

To me it really depends. I do like to get restaurant gift cards as stocking stuffers for Christmas but I also think if you can pair it with some other little more personal thing it's a nicer gift. I will give you an example now of when I don't like gift cards. I used to do a secret santa with about 15 of my friends. Every year we would write down 5 or so things along with our name for the person who drew us to choose from. One year I realized that the list had degenerated to a list of 5 places they would like to recieve a gift card from. This was so silly to me. If everyone wants a gift card than rather than doing a secret santa why don't we just all bring $20 bills and everyone hand theirs to the right. We can be done in a flash.

I agree with you about that one! Secret Santa is so nice and the little gifts are always a surprise.

We did that for years - for 10 days. Each day you brought a little something (dollar stores came in handy for books, puzzles, mugs), homemade candies and cookies, ornaments, etc. and you never knew who your Secret Santa was - and on the 10th day you were handed a nice gift (we would decide on how much to spend for that) and it was so much fun and so pleasant!

I like that idea "Secret Santa" When I do Gift Cards I usually do a personalized small gift to. If someone has a pet, the pet gets a toy. Or if the person into a hobby buy a gift pertaining to a hobby. Cooking gadgets are great extra presents. pot holders, oven MIT's, cookie cutters, cook books, or magazine subscription. Candles are always beautiful. The Holidays will be here!! Cookie

If it is a close family member I think a gift card is can be a little impersonal. I got one once from a person on Jons side of the family. Her and her hubby shopped and bought personal gifts for everyone else there but handed me a giftcard.
Im am very easy to buy for. Heck Jon's Dad buys me a sweatshirt every year and a bottle of my favorite bubble bath. I have four of the same sweatshirts in my closet he has given me lol. He is getting a little forgetfull but he tries and thats what counts. I have loved anything and everything I have ever been given except two pairs of jeans my hubby got me once. He was having an 80's slutty looking video girl flashback when he picked these pants out lol. I have never worn those lol.