Hero's Soapbox

I've heard of expiration dates on mall gift cards, but I've never even heard of the rest of those.

Christmas is great for kids but it's retarded for adults because people just give one another crap they don't need and waste money unnecessarily. Commercialism at it's finest.

I've heard of expiration dates on mall gift cards, but I've never even heard of the rest of those.

Many of these terms come with these sort of pseudo-credit-card gift cards. They can be used more places, but there's still restrictions. The only advantage is that you can use them as a credit card online, unlike cash. Which I suppose is only fair to note, they're useful if you want a disposable card to spend online.

"Here, as your gift I am giving you my rights to reclaim an interest free unsecured loan I gave to a multinational corporation."

The spirit of Christmas blows so hard, I hate everybody

Give cash and the receiver, 9 times out of 10 would piss it up the wall.

Its to buy something you may need, not to go out on a Fri/Sat night, want cash for that then get a job.

/me looks up at the entry's rating.

Someone gave out a bunch of gift cards this year.

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Edited June 19, 2019 by Rayan Thomas

I like gift cards because:

1) it makes me spend money on myself (when otherwise I'd just save the cash)

2) I've not had a gift card with those problems for years

I like some gift cards, because some don't come burdened with all the things you mentioned.

. . . expirations, fees, etc on gift cards are illegal.

If you mean those pseudo debit cards that illegal immigrants use as bank accounts and ignorant grandmas only buy at Christmas, yeah, those aren't "gift cards." I got one of those 2 yrs ago, activated to use and spent it quick, and according to the terms by now I must owe them $96+ in monthly "no activity" fees but they've never been in touch.

I like gift cards because:

1) it makes me spend money on myself (when otherwise I'd just save the cash)

2) I've not had a gift card with those problems for years

This, plus the fact that a lot of gifts can't be given directly. Buying dinner for people who aren't you? (Think parents paying for a kid's date, that sort of thing.) Buying clothing for people who have a horrible time finding stuff that fits but have a favourite store? Gift cards are perfect for that sort of thing.

Better idea:

Don't fuel this ridiculous consumerist holiday, and give no material objects.

Give love and give this time of year back its true purpose and meaning.

I like gift cards because:

1) it makes me spend money on myself (when otherwise I'd just save the cash)

2) I've not had a gift card with those problems for years

I got some money for Christmas, and there is a simple way to ensure you spend it on something. I was given money by my Grandmother who likes to know what her Grandchildren are up to. As she has given me money, I will now find something to spend it on and write her an email or letter (probably an email but she is not the best with technology) and say what I spent it on, and a general update on life.

As I know I am doing that it gives me an incentive to have spent it on something worthwhile.

Better idea: Don't fuel this ridiculous consumerist holiday, and give no material objects. Give love and give this time of year back its true purpose and meaning.

There is a difference between gift giving and consumerism. Gift giving is a way to enrich others lives in your friends and family. I do this by trying to find things they would not normally buy themselves, such as books by authors I know they haven't read, or topics they don't know, or types of sweets they haven't eaten etc etc.

I know others who have given paintings they have made for the occasion as gifts, or other handmade items.

Alternatively, if you want a really interesting challenge invite those you exchange gifts with to shop on a budget of £3 and you will do the same and see what you can get each other.

Gift cards are a good idea if you happen to know that the recipient is going to use it (e.g. a bookshop gift card to someone that actually usually buys books).

Otherwise they're just lazy. At that point, cash is better.

Icewolf, but this is precisely why I despise Christmas. It has become an expectation to give and receive gifts (often for family and friends who don't require such items), which destroys the actual meaning of the holiday. When I give a gift out of sincerety and integrity, because I as a person truly wanted to out of kindness and expect no return, it has meaning.

When I give a gift simply because it is expected of me, the gesture of gift giving holds no meaning or sincerity.

More children think of Santa than Jesus when hearing "Christmas."

But why? The holiday isn't a celebration of Saint Nicholas, nor is it even related to such a character. Its a celebration of the birth of the Christian savior and his teachings. Yet, that part just seems to be a side story these days. Instead, we celebrate this "gift giving" ritual and Walmarts record breaking profits they sincerely do not deserve.

I highly doubt Jesus of Nazareth would be even remotely amused by how we claim to celebrate his birth.