i'm not sure yet - but chances are i will go that route for a few people. i'm just not sure what to get some of my family and friends and i've always found that gift cards aren't impersonal - yet they are great presents cause you know that someone can get what they want.

Not for me. I loove to select gifts for the individuals I buy for, and make little handmade things for people at work and such.

i don't normally do this. but the other day i gave my boyfriend a starbucks gift card...he uses it daily though, and i just left it in his truck before work as a little surprise, so it's different.

I really only get giftcards if I am desperate and can't think of something to buy someone.

I think some gift cards are more personal than others. The plain Visa or American Express cards are quite impersonal, but there are other options. For my friends who sew, I might get gift cards for a site where they can download super cool embroidery, or to the shop where they can buy accessories for their machines. For my eco friends, I might get gift certificates to our local eco store or for a CSA delivery. For my in-laws who have everything, but really could use a night away from it all, I have purchased a gift certificate from www.bedandbreakfast.com. You really can make a gift card personal, if you put some thought into it.

Not really sure. Probably for my friends and family who live far away. I can put it inside their Christmas card.

I agree with jls6fq, gift cards don't have to be impersonal. As someone who loves to shop but can rarely afford the pleasure of buying things for myself, I always ask for gift cards from friends and family around my birthday and Christmas time. But nobody wants to give me any because they think it's too "impersonal," so I end up with a bunch of Bath and Body works crap that I'll never use.

I am buying a grocery store gift card for the family I am sponsoring. I am helping with Christmas gifts for the kids but I wanted to do something extra and I am going to get a gift card as extra. I have been shopping sales for the last month buying little items.

My Sister in Law only wants gift cards, so I'm kinda stuck buying those for her, even though I would rather not.

I'm at least getting one. My cousin is obsessed with this green tea drink at starbucks but always says she feels bad buying them for herself. So, I think it shows I've been listening to her!

I usually don't because I don't think they're thoughtful but I personally appreciate them this year since money is so tight.

I have family members that prefer gift cards so that's what they usually end up getting.

I buy them for my father and step mother because they stay at home a lot and I buy them restaurant gift cards which makes them have a date night.

I've spent way too much time stressing about what to get my new stepbrothers. Unless I find something better, they'll be getting visa gift cards.

I love the plain Visa and American Express giftcards. I usually send them and receive them from family members I don't get to see often and as a result don't know as well. They're perfect.

I ALWAYS buy personal gifts for my friends and close family though.

My 13-year old has asked for gift cards, she's at the age where she thinks a lot of the gifts she gets are lame. But I hadn't thought about what stores may go under after Christmas (not that she'll hold on to them for long) so I'll think carefully about which ones I'll get her.

Stef, get her an American Express gc - she can use it anywhere.

I usually buy a giftcard for my brother (best buy, itunes, etc). everyone buys gift cards for me because I don't like to spend money on myself (clothes etc) - if someone gives me cash, I'll use it to buy a present for someone else or pay for something practical like home repairs! I have $300 in gift cards from my birthday two months ago that I haven't spent yet!

I think gift cards actually end up being more expensive than just getting a gift and providing a gift receipt if the person doesn't want it.

We're going to get a generous gas gift card for my parents to use on their anniversary trip. I think that's the only one on my shopping list.

I give gift cards. I know some family members love them, like my SIL i'll get her one to Bath and Body Works and then she can pick out whatever she wants.

I usually give my parents a Blockbuster gift card. I know they'll use it, and consumable gifts like that are the best thing for them, since they have everything they need or want. Plus, they never do anything fun so this is my way of encouraging them to live a little. Even if "live a little" only means they get a DVD from the "new releases" rack instead of the cheaper "classics" rack.

In general I don't like giving gift cards unless I can target something that the person wants. Sometimes it's the best solution (I have no idea what 17-year-olds want these days) but I don't do it if I can help it.

I'm giving my nieces VISA gift cards. That way they can completely choose where and what they want to spend their money on.

I LOVE receiving giftcards and don't really understand why somebody should ever feel upset that they received one! I also understand how special it is to give a personalized and meaningful gift so I only leave the giftcards for people who A) Either have everything B) I just don't know what to get them.

If I do get any gift cards for people, I will be very careful in choosing where, because a lot of places are going out of business, and I don't want to waste my money.

I never give gift cards, but I do like getting them. hmm

I dont have a choice......it is either that or waste my money and have whatever I buy not used or appreciated.