Why I Hate Gift Cards

I despise gift cards.  Yes, really. I hate them.  Now before you go jumping to conclusions and thinking I'm an ungrateful lout please allow me to explain myself.  First, I'd like you to know that I am thankful for any gift I get--even gift cards.  I am very grateful when someone cares enough to get me something.  I don't take that for granted.   So it isn't that I'm ungrateful or looking a gift horse in the mouth.  It isn't that at all.

It isn't even that I don't understand that gift cards are sometimes easier.  I get that.  But I think that's part of my problem with gift cards.  Gift cards are too easy.  They don't require a lot of care or thought on the gift-givers part and if it's really the thought that counts then what does a gift card say?

To me gift cards say 1 of 3 things:
1. I felt obligated to get you something so here's a gift card.
2. I did not know what you wanted so here's a gift card.
3. I did not feel like putting any real thought into this gift so here's a gift card.

I suppose they could also say "I didn't have time to get you a real gift so hey, here's a gift card."  And on rare occasions gift cards say "This was the only option I had because I have a lot going on right now in my own life, so I do care but I had no time and here's a gift card." 

Now let me reiterate--I do appreciate gift cards. I can go buy whatever I want with them (at whatever store they're for that is).  I appreciate the thought.  I appreciate that you've handed me a card that is really cash out of your wallet.  I do appreciate it.

But here's the thing.....

I'd rather open a gift.  I'd rather hear the wonderful sound of paper tearing and feel that fabulous ripping with my own fingers.  I'd rather shake the box and wonder what's inside, and be wrapped up in delicious anticipation. 

I'd rather have a homemade gift that is worth a few pennies than a gift card.  I'd rather have that homemade gift because it took time and energy and effort and love--lots and lots of love.  I don't think people make things for other people unless they love them.

My fridge is decorated with gifts of love from my nieces and nephews--stick figure drawings and stickered sheets of computer paper and Anna's 7 year old handwriting spelling out my name. 

My favorite blanket is a afghan my great grandmother knitted when I was a baby. 

My friend Samantha gave me a box full of homemade cookies when I completed my first 5k and I thought it was the best, most thoughtful gift ever. 

I have a letter my husband wrote me in a box with thank you notes given to me by various people over the years.

I have a sketch of me on the back of an index card that an undergrad did when they didn't know the answer to my pop quiz.  She wrote on the back "Can you guess who this is?  Does that get me any brownie points?"  It was obviously me and yes, it did get her some brownie points.

I have a worthless steel charm my daddy found under a house he was working on and gave to me when I was a teenager.  He's gone now, but that charm means more to me than all the riches in the world.

My favorite things in the whole world aren't worth much to anyone but me.  These gifts are filled with love and that's enough, and I'd rather have them than any gift card.