To ask if gift vouchers are a cop out?

[lavalampoon]

Would be really nice to hear some opinions on whether you think gift vouchers are a cop out gift for close family like partner/spouse and parents.

I would rather have the cash...

I hate gift vouchers as a present. DH and his family do a weird mass exchange of gift vouchers at Xmas, and I just don't get it. No thought, no effort, and they're all extremely wealthy. It just feels like no-one can be arsed...

I think a voucher tailored to the recipient for somewhere or something that they really like is fine as it still shows that the giver has thought about them personally. I've received vouchers for high end makeup that I like, the hair salon I use, a local beauty salon and I've always appreciated them. Generic Boots or love to shop vouchers are okay but feel a bit impersonal

Until recently I thought so but actually it gives you a guilt free selfish spending opportunity and often by buying sale items or adding a little cash you get a lot more for your ££

Don't give gift vouchers if company goes bust the money is gone for ever.

I get the convenience, of either cash or vouchers, but it doesn't seem like a "proper" present to me. And the idea of one person giving another a £20 voucher for Amazon, and receiving a £20 voucher for John Lewis in return, just seems daft.

JockTamsonsBairns my DH's family do the same. Usually the same value is exchanged. What's the point?

I'm grateful if I receive them but I'd never gift them to someone as it seems a little thoughtless to me.

I'd be grateful.

Gift vouchers are my favourite present to get

If they're for somewhere you love to shop, why not? Anything that helps my book-buying is very welcome I love being able to help someone get something they truly want.

I am buying cinema vouchers for my cousin's DCs, but they come with a promise that I will take them before they go back to school. Also book vouchers get posted for friends DCs I won't see.

My brother and I agreed to stop essentially swapping £20 notes with each other years ago though. What's the point in that?!

I've had such shite gifts in the past that I welcome vouchers!

My favourites are the ones you get from the post office that you can use in many High Street shops (Boots, TK Maxx, etc).

I like to buy something for myself that I could never justify ordinarily (posh soaps, another handbag, books, chocolate, wine and gin ).

I hope I get them again this year!

Perhaps if you know your recipient has a favourite store or a hobby - otherwise it could be seen as a slightly thoughtless gift. I'm quite open to receiving a voucher, I'd prefer it to an unwanted gift and would look forward to a shopping trip too.

I love gift vouchers, you get to buy exactly what you want, usually getting double (as everything is half price after Christmas).
Cash is ok, but I usually end up just spending that on normal stuff rather than something for me

I get my BIL a gift voucher. He feels like if we give him cash, it will end up being spent on petrol or something crap like that! I just ask him every year what shop he wants one for

My nieces and nephews ask for them so that's what I get them.

I personally think they are a cop out as a gift for a parent or significant other. DH believes they are a great gift, I would appreciate more thought. I still think they're good for less close family and friends but most people would probably prefer the cash

I think if the voucher is relevant to recipient then yes. For example, I got given a gift voucher today for Waterstones and luckily I'm visiting a city on Sunday that has one. Keenly anticipating a good browse and spoiling myself with a just published hardback. My mum got me a Primark voucher for my birthday and i bought their amazing velvet lined leggings. Ooh they're so cosy.

Think carefully about the person you're buying for, choose a shop type you know they'd love.

Depends I think, as long as you have thought about what person would like. I love getting amazon vouchers as it means I can buy books throughout the year in book form or on kindle. I'm more likely to use voucher as with money I usually end up getting stuff for children, or something practical. I think it depends on the person though

They are a bit, yeah. And with so many big names going bust in recent years, that makes them seem like a bad idea.

The retailers make a mint from them though, given that £300 million in gift cards expire unspent every year.

In 4 days’ time MN will be full of people feeling disgruntled because they got “shit” presents with no thought given. Gift vouchers are far preferable.

Hate gift vouchers.
They expire and the companies gain much more money from them.

Gift vouchers cost as much as cash but are much less useful. They expire and can only be used in limited places. I prefer to buy people something physical but with a gift receipt so they can change it if they want.

To be fair, most give a couple of years to spend them. If the expiry date is coming close, use them to buy another gift card, and extend your time.

@littlealbatross I agree - what's the point? I get together with Dh's family at Xmas, and everyone just swaps an envelope with vouchers enclosed

DH insists it's fine, everyone can then choose what they want - and I don't disagree with that. Actually, I do quite like my £30 voucher!

In my family, we still do the choosing a gift thing. I fully accept that I might have called it wrong sometimes, but I know that some years I've got it bang on. Same goes for me as recipient. Present giving for me is all about putting some thought into it, and I enjoy doing that - like I enjoy receiving something that someone has chosen for me. Like I say, there will be times that I've got it wrong, much like the times I've received things that I haven't loved - but, to me, that's just part of gift giving? It really is the thought that counts.

I have a strange dynamic with my brother. He messages me mid November asking what my DC's want for Christmas, and wants a direct link to Amazon - it feels like I'm placing an order. Ok, we're not close, and he doesn't know my DC's well, but it all just feels a bit clinical...