Gift Cards Are Perfectly Acceptable Christmas Gifts

There has been a lot of talk lately about how gift cards take the 'thought' out of the famous gift giving phrase 'it's the thought that counts'.

Whenever you hear the term 'it's the thought that counts' it means that someone received a lame gift. Probably something very specific from someone with whom you have a very non-specific relationship. Say, an aunt, or a sister in law. They know you. They love you. But they have no idea you have more socks than you know what to do with.

Is it because we want to appear thoughtful and seem like we spent some time shopping for someone, we feel the need to show up with a gift?

Well, I don't go along with that. The best thing you can give to me is honesty. So, if you know me and love me but don't know what the heck I have or do not have and decide that a gift card is the best you can do for me, well, I am with you and I'll love that gift card like it were figgy pudding.

Plus, a gift card keeps on giving. With a gift, you open it, you're happy about it and the surprise lasts for a few moments. With a gift card, you receive it, are happy about it, and then you get to go later to the store or the website and do some shopping. There are two or more moments of Christmas glee.

Finally, wrapped up inside all the win-win-wins of giving gift cards for the holidays comes the benefits they provide to the gifter. Say them with me. No lines. No traffic. It's hard to be late. In fact, if they are delivered via email, you have to wait until the last minute or it will arrive too early.