Gift card hater here, but I suspect the real root of the problem is that I seriously loathe shopping.
As much as I really do know that people who like to get gift cards think of them as great gifts, it always feels more like "if I don't use this, then I've just totally wasted your money and thoughtfulness, but OTOH Store XYZ gives me a screaming headache every time I set foot in the place, and I can't use the damned thing anywhere else, and really, isn't this just your way sticking me with the unpleasant task of shopping?"
I'd rather just get a cookie.
(eta: really unfortunate x-post timing with Kathy! So, adding disclaimer of -- so totally my issue, and didn't mean any implied cranky on your plans!)
I'd rather just get a cookie.
SEE the DeBeers Diamond/Cookie Coalition got to you.
I'm probably going to get gift cards for my team members, partially because I think it's appropriately impersonal -- I'm their boss, I don't want or need to know that much about their tastes and interests. I think I'm going to give my works-from-home person a Starbucks gift card, because I know she goes there, but I don't know about the other two. They are both readers, so maybe a Borders gift card.
OMG! I just realized that I haven't paid my rent yet. Talk about a shock to the system.
That means I have to go pay it during this evening's Snowpacalypse.
I'd rather just get a cookie.
How about a gift card for the cookie store?
Dude, Cookies are Eternal Undying Love! I know it to be true!
One year my boss got me a gorgeous vase to match my new couch. But I've been his assistant for 6 years, so I think the relationship is a little different, maybe? I dunno, it isn't weird to me. When I was at JPL, the guys always brought me back some sort of goodie when they went on overseas travel, usually chocolates, snowglobes, or such. When my guys go home to Russia, they always bring me back handmade nesting dolls.
I think that a gift card is an appropriate gift for a subordinate, but it needs to show that you thought about where to get it from, i.e. "I always see you with a book in your bag, so I thought you'd like Borders" or "You often bring in a latte in the morning, so here's a Starbucks card"
That means I have to go pay it during this evening's Snowpacalypse.
We're forecast to get the first snow of the season overnight and through tomorrow (1 inch tonight, up to 4 more tomorrow).
Problem is, if you know anything about how horribly Cincinnati reacts to snow, 1 inch = The White Death.
I *so* wish I were kidding.
"You often bring in a latte in the morning, so here's a Starbucks card"
Make sure they're not a Coffee Bean person. IJS.
I hope there's no gifting here, and it seems like there won't be an after hours holiday party. Just perfect.
