I like the Visa/Mastercard/American Express cards that can be used anywhere. I love getting and giving them.

I think they are great for teenagers. Who knows what they want?

Another kind of gift card that my grand parents really enjoy are the amazon.com ones. They are almost 90 years old and love shopping there. No driving, etc..

Did anyone catch the news between yesterday and today - talking about gift cards? many are saying it is not a good idea to give any with the economy the way it is because of stores closing and cards not being honored, etc.

I sort of agree with that - not everyone runs out and spends their gift cards the next day. Some put them away and that is a good way to lose the value fo the card or be able to use it.

I'll stick to personal gifts this year.

I had not heard that. Thanks for the heads up.

Good thing you let us know MamaM.

Crazy thing not to get off subject but today we had to run by the mall to exchange a pair of sneakers. Well we get in there and it is already decorated for Christmas and Santa is already there and I ask my 9 yr old if she wants to go see Santa, she says rather staunchly "No way not until Dec. 1st!" I said it's Ok you can go see him sweetie and she would not budge, turns out she is very upset that the "powers that be" in the mall would be pushing Christmas already and we have not even celebrated Thanksgiving yet I am proud of her for having her covictions and the determination to stand up for what she feels is right! I spoke to a man at the Jewelry store and was telling him about her feeling that way [as he was placing potted poinsettas around] and he said "You know I agree with her, if I were not instructed to do so I would not be putting these out yet!" The selfish greedy retailers are in for probably one of the "tightest" Christmas's in decades and they are combatting by trying to pump up sales early in th season.

Sad as the economy may be I am finding the whole thing rather strangely interesting and laughable! I feel people will be choosing to spend their $$$ wisely and quit being so foolish about Christmas, return to the real "Spirit and Reason" for our celebration and Enjoy the dickens out of it without going broke or in debt beyond sanity! Maybe that is why I am feeling jovial and elated about the whole darned issue!?!