Why no-one should buy Vouchers for Presents...

savingpennies

edwink wrote: »

I would like cash or vouchers to be honest because I get thoughtless presents, honestly I do and I am not being mean. I was given an electric meat carving knife but I am a vegetarian!! Another year I was given a cardigan 2 sizes too small, no receipt and our town didn't even have the particular shop it was purchased from. I have been given Cruise Ship biscuits but I never eat biscuits. And lastly I was given a pair of those tote type socks that have that sticky plastic on the bottom so they grip the floor but I can't stand them because I have a balance problem.

So yes I would love a little money or vouchers to choose what I like. Not lots of money just a little amount.

This has happened to me as well. I would love vouchers/gift cards but instead get presents which I don't like or don't need. It's awful when everyone looks on so expectantly when you open the present to see your reaction and you have to pretend it's just what you wanted. My mother thinks vouchers are a kop out and not really a present.

alb1

I'm another one who likes getting vouchers.

I live a 2hr train trip from my family (plus a bus either end too). I don't have a car and therefore when I travel home for Christmas I have to be able to carry all of my gifts back with me. It's not practical for me to have anything too big. I've been given the option of cash in the past to choose something for myself when I get back, but it's too easy to spend it on nothing in particular. Vouchers for a specific shop mean that I can choose something but don't have to carry it back, plus of course I can pick things I like in the shops before Christmas and then buy them with the voucher in the sale so it's very MSE

Anatidaephobia

A shopping centre near us does gift vouchers which you can use in almost any shop in the centre. I've bought them a couple of times because my partner likes being given cinema vouchers but the cinema always seems to run out of their official vouchers though they accept the shopping centre ones.

tailsmilesprower

Vouchers are a waste. There's no point in giving them as a gift. Just give money in a card with a nice message! The person is then free to buy a gift from wherever they want!

I've never got why people give vouchers as gifts. Plus you definitely need to know if the person you are giving the gift to actually likes to shop in the store the voucher is valid in!

pickledonionspaceraider

I have never understood gift vouchers.

It is like, you want to give cash, but you wish to withhold the freedom of when and where the recipient will spend it, so hence the gift voucher as it looks as if some thought has gone into it

They are restrictive and a hassle. Cash is easier for everyone, the giver, the receiver

When we were packing up to move house, I found three lots of gift vouchers well past their expiry date unused

Anatidaephobia

tailsmilesprower wrote: »

I've never got why people give vouchers as gifts. Plus you definitely need to know if the person you are giving the gift to actually likes to shop in the store the voucher is valid in!

Presumably you know them well enough to know that or you wouldn't be giving them a gift at all anyway. It's the same rules that apply to all presents, regardless of whether it's a book, a pair of trousers or a gift voucher.

The problem is that people don't buy gifts that are tailored to the recipient but that applies to actual items they've chosen as well as vouchers.

LucyIg

I like getting vouchers as it means the money doesn't disappear into our bank account to be used on bills. I can understand that its difficult with these experience vouchers as some can only be used during the week or on certain weekends.

Newly_retired

My daughter in law has asked me to get vouchers for the grandchildren. I have to say I feel a bit disappointed as I had hoped to get e proper gift for a few more years yet. They are 14 and 11.