Your thought on gift cards?

snowywinter

I've been invited to a surprise birthday party of someone I work with but don't know very well. I'm usually not a fan of gift cards and always go shopping to try to find something I know the person will enjoy, but in this case, I don't know what she likes so I was thinking of giving her a gift card to the mall. I mentioned this to one of my colleagues who is also going to the party and she immediately dismissed the idea as too impersonal.

Are gift cards tacky in this situation?

MairePoppy

A gift card is a perfect gift in this situation. 

thisismynickname2

MairePoppy said:

A gift card is a perfect gift in this situation. 

Agree.

luckya23

I don't think you can be too impersonal with a coworker you don't know well.
90% chance the coworker critiquing your idea gets bath products or a candle that coworker has no use for. Ugh.

jacques27

luckya23 said:

I don't think you can be too impersonal with a coworker you don't know well. 90% chance the coworker critiquing your idea gets bath products or a candle that coworker has no use for. Ugh.

This.  Ugh.  I would much rather get a gift card than get another vanilla scented whatever that will make me wretch from Bath & Body Works, which seems to be the go-to gift for all women you don't know well enough to actually know that they don't enjoy smelling like a bakery and the scent makes them gag.  I've always felt this way, but especially as I get older and pretty much buy myself what I want when I want it, if you don't know me well enough to actually know what I like then don't get me a generic "personal" gift because I just don't enjoy having excess crap around anymore and I'll probably regift it.

I realize it's technically the thought that counts and I may sound ungrateful, but I'm over getting "stuff".  I've got enough stuff.

AddieCake

I think when you don't know someone well, a gift card is a good choice. I am not sure I would do a mall one, though. I despise the mall and go there as little as possible. I once got a mall gift card from a former student, and I never used it. Eventually it expired, and I always felt guilty about that, but it was to a mall that was outside in Texas and in a very inconvenient location for me, so I just never got around to going. If you go Visa gift card, it could be used for anything, anywhere. Amazon gift cards are good, too, but it's always possible the person doesn't use Amazon. Restaurant cards can be risky for the same reason, of course.

novella1186

jacques27 said:

luckya23 said:

I don't think you can be too impersonal with a coworker you don't know well. 90% chance the coworker critiquing your idea gets bath products or a candle that coworker has no use for. Ugh.

This.  Ugh.  I would much rather get a gift card than get another vanilla scented whatever that will make me wretch from Bath & Body Works, which seems to be the go-to gift for all women you don't know well enough to actually know that they don't enjoy smelling like a bakery and the scent makes them gag.  I've always felt this way, but especially as I get older and pretty much buy myself what I want when I want it, if you don't know me well enough to actually know what I like then don't get me a generic "personal" gift because I just don't enjoy having excess crap around anymore and I'll probably regift it.

I realize it's technically the thought that counts and I may sound ungrateful, but I'm over getting "stuff".  I've got enough stuff.

Absolutely this. I would definitely never expect gifts for my birthday, and I most certainly wouldn't expect a co-worker I don't know well to get me anything. So if I got a gift card from that person, I would be very appreciative. Not only cuz it's WAAAAY better than the typical scented candle or "fancy" bar of soap or other generic gift, but because it would be a nice surprise and I would be happy to go shopping with it. 

Maggie0829

I love gift cards.  I would prefer a gift card over some trinket for my home even if you knew me well and knew my likes and decor taste.  There is nothing better then going out to dinner knowing that you don't have to pay for it.

lyndausvi

AddieCake said:

I think when you don't know someone well, a gift card is a good choice. I am not sure I would do a mall one, though. I despise the mall and go there as little as possible. I once got a mall gift card from a former student, and I never used it. Eventually it expired, and I always felt guilty about that, but it was to a mall that was outside in Texas and in a very inconvenient location for me, so I just never got around to going. If you go Visa gift card, it could be used for anything, anywhere. Amazon gift cards are good, too, but it's always possible the person doesn't use Amazon. Restaurant cards can be risky for the same reason, of course.

This is what I was going to say.

I would pick a restaurant over a mall GC.   I loathe the mall though.

Jstump2

Do you happen to know of somewhere they might frequent for lunch such as panera or chipotle. Or have you ever seen them with a starbucks cup? maybe a gift card for there

snowywinter

Thanks guys. I ended up getting a Visa gift card so she can use wherever she wants. Will give it to her at the party next weekend.