Comments on: I Don’t Want A Gift, But Thank You.

By: Slinky

Slinky — Tue, 26 May 2009 21:40:23 +0000

Agreed! If I don’t know of something they’ll actually like or use, I tend to go with consumables. Mother’s Day? – raspberries. Housewarming? – Penzey’s spices. Birthday? – favorite liqueur. Christmas? – assorted teas. Or you know, whatever that particular person likes.

For myself, I often request shopping trips. My mother asked what I wanted for my birthday (….uh….I dunno.) and we’re going to spend a day at the mall together bumming around, catching up and finding a top or two for me, which I need anyway.

By: Patrick

Patrick — Tue, 26 May 2009 20:30:01 +0000

Happy birthday!

And I don’t even care for gift cards – because that means I HAVE to go spend it for the gift to be used. I prefer a card or even better, a phone call. If you’re local, let’s go out to eat or have a get together. Bring me a 6 pack of some local microbrew. I know how to take care of that.

But I have enough stuff…

By: El cheapo

El cheapo — Fri, 22 May 2009 20:34:13 +0000

Great argument and I couldn’t agree more. I’m also a bargain hunter, so I hate it when people spend more than they should. Why spent $100 on something that I could find for $50. Time together and a good meal are all I ever ask for.

By: Amanda

Amanda — Fri, 22 May 2009 01:59:17 +0000

I couldn’t agree more – I’m only 22, but I already feel as though whatever presents people get me are pointless. I love little thoughtful gifts for no reason (e.g. my boyfriend will occasionally surprise me with a mini-pack of Ferrero Rocher cause he knows how much I love them), but bigger gag gifts for a birthday or something seem pointless. I already have everything I need!

By: Kate@LivingTheFrugalLife

Kate@LivingTheFrugalLife — Thu, 21 May 2009 21:42:29 +0000

I’m right there with you too. I think people view gift cards as unimaginative gifts that show little thought. That’s why so many people are reluctant to give them. But I’m much more likely to have some use for a Home Depot gift card than a random gift.

I don’t really want any gifts for birthdays or holidays either. My husband asked me what I want for my birthday coming up in a little while. I asked if we could pay off the mortgage. (It was really just an excuse to lobby for this without sounding like I was whining.) Barring that, I’m going to ask him to commit a weekend to helping me get some of my pet projects done around the house. That’s something I’ll really appreciate.

By: Enrique S

Enrique S — Thu, 21 May 2009 21:27:32 +0000

Happy Birthday! We come from the same school of thought. My in-laws always used to buy me something that I didn’t want or need. Their rationale: “You have to have SOMETHING to open!” Now my wife buys a gift for them to give me.

By: Nicki at Domestic Cents

Nicki at Domestic Cents — Thu, 21 May 2009 15:19:09 +0000

Well said. I very much agree with you. More than once I have held a knick-knack gift in my hand, looked around the house and wondered, “Where on earth am I going to put this?”

By: Andy Hough

Andy Hough — Thu, 21 May 2009 14:51:47 +0000

This is what I tell people at my birthday and Christmas but they refuse to believe that I don’t want anything.

By: Miranda

Miranda — Thu, 21 May 2009 14:36:24 +0000

I am SO with you. I’m all about the gift cards. I get gift cards to book stores for my brother, Amazon.com gift cards for my husband’s siblings, restaurant gift cards for my sister (who loves to eat out), etc. It’s practical, and it’s something that the recipient can really use and enjoy.

By: Rajeev Singh

Rajeev Singh — Thu, 21 May 2009 13:53:23 +0000

I completely agree with you on this one… I do think that we all need to be little more rational and practical while choosing the gift. Most of the times in our emotional exuberance we tend to go overboard in spending which might not be of equal value to the recepient. As such a little thought and practical approach will help. i personall prefer giving gift cheques to people. And guess they love it too…:0