WHY IS CASH CRASS…?
Giving cash as a present is suppossed to rude, crass and just plain low class because it shows that the giver gave no thought to gift. Gift cards, however, are considered fine because you at least thought of the store where the giftee likes to shop.
What feckin’ bull shit. I was always fine (ecstatic) with the $5 from Grandma or the odd aunt. What’s really going on is that retailers and bankers have found yet one more way to suck money out of the populace.
From CNN Money:
Got a gift card from Wal-Mart, Best Buy or American Express this holiday season?
Use it now, consumer advocates say. That’s the best way to avoid potential fees and other pitfalls that can suck up the value of consumer gift cards — at least until the Federal Reserve imposes limitations on some of the fees next year.
“For this holiday season, it’s still open season on you and your gift cards,” said Gail Hillebrand, director of Consumers Union’s “Defend Your Dollars” campaign.
The Fed is crafting new rules aimed at limiting fees in the first year, restricting fees to once a month after a year and preventing gift cards from expiring before five years is up.
Better yet, just buy a stack of fresh $20, $10 and $5 bills, seal them in a nice envelope and what the kids smile (and the gift card companies piss and moan).
I’m personally of the mindset that if you can’t think of a good gift to give someone, you probably don’t know them well enough that you need to buy them a gift in the first place.
As for Gift Cards – if you gave someone a gift card for a specialty store that you know they like (say, if you gave me a gift card for Game Crazy or Game Stop), that’d be a thoughtful present. A gift card for Walmart, though? ‘eh… reeks of thoughtlessness. I’d honestly rather have a greeting card from a pack of 10 and a letter saying how you’re doing.
Anywhoo, my point – I don’t think Walmart gift cards have any kind of fees or expiration (the Walmart ones – not the VISA (etc.) branded cards)…
Shalom Bob,
I thought you’d pick up on the government intervention that kicks in on 1 January regulating the cards.
I’m with you 100 percent on the, if you can’t think of a good gift to give someone, you probably don’t know them well enough that you need to buy them a gift in the first place, position.
B’shalom,
Jeff
I’m with you–why is cash considered tacky? I have always hoped that my friends and family know me well enough to know that all I want is cash, not their crappy gifts I inevitably return later! However, years of experience have shown me they do not in fact know me very well after all.
This year for christmas I tried a new approach and made a wishlist on myregistry.com because they actually let you add cash as a gift request on your list. I made 2 different “funds” (one for a new laptop and one for video games) to make people feel more like they were giving gift cards, and called it a day!
I actually did get much more cash this year so I think I will keep taking this approach for birthdays, etc.
If you’re giving cash for a purpose, then there’s nothing wrong with that.
If you’re giving gifts picked off a wish-list… meh. Personally, I think Gift Regestries are a “gimme gimme” tool – if someone wants to get you something, they should know you well enough to get you something you like. If you don’t like it, either be polite and say “thank you” or be kind, say “thank you, but I don’t need this” and let them get their money back.
Shalom Bob,
I won’t disagree with you on gift registries. I’m so happy that I’m out of the friend’s wedding loop.
B’shalom,
Jeff
Shalom Brian,
First, thank you for stopping in, for reading and, most importantly, for taking the time to share your views. We build our community with our conversations.
I remember a few years ago when bridal registries started doing something similar. Few couples start life together without already having two households worth of appliances, furniture, dish towels, etc. Couples asked for contributions to either a honeymoon or home down payment fund in most cases.
I think it just makes a lot of sense.
B’shalom,
Jeff