Blake Schwendiman's Blog and Blook

With Christmas approaching I spend some time wondering what in the world to get for the people on my shopping list. A few years ago I was not a big fan of the gift card. It seemed so impersonal, it seemed so last minute, and it obviated the amount spend on the gift. These factors used to really turn me off to the idea of a gift card.

These days I'm not so sure how I feel. I've received a fair number of gift cards -- everything from movies to restaurants to clothing to generic. I'm converting. The great thing about receiving a gift card is the additional choice. I'm not subject to the taste of the giver (thinking of the shirts I've rarely worn and the DVDs I've never opened) nor am I required to make an immediate decision. I can hang on to the gift card until I can identify something I really want or need.

Amazon.com gift certificates (aff) are available -- which I think is a great idea particularly for people on your list that you really don't know well enough to determine their personal tastes. iTunes has gift cards (I could make use of one of those!) and most of the places I like to eat now have some sort of a gift card program.

So, what are your thoughts on gift cards? Do you like to give them? Do you like to receive them?