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Life
“In defence of the gift card: why I’m more than happy to give gift vouchers this Christmas”
2 months ago
3 min read
Stylist’s Georgia Green defends her right to give gift cards as presents this Christmas, despite their unimaginative reputation.
It’s happened to the best of us. It’s Christmas Eve, everything’s wrapped and under the tree, when you suddenly remember a name you left off your gift list, or you find out an additional auntie or cousin is joining you for Christmas Day.
At this late stage in the day, your options are limited. And so your mind goes to the ‘last resort’: the gift card. You probably groan at the thought of being that unimaginative, but I’m here to tell you that a gift card can be a wonderful present to give – and receive.
Firstly, if you’re buying for someone you don’t know very well, why drive yourself mad trying to work out what they would buy for themselves, when you could just… let them buy it themselves? Don’t get me wrong, I love picking out (or even handmaking) the perfect present for my nearest and dearest and watching them unwrap it on Christmas Day. But I’ve also witnessed my mother tie herself in agonising knots trying to guess what her teenage nephews want every year, only for those gifts to inevitably be exchanged in January for things they actually like.
I don’t just reserve gift cards for last-minute presents and distant relatives, though. I strongly believe that the right gift card can make just as thoughtful a gift as anything else. In the past, I’ve gifted restaurant vouchers – both for high street chains like Pizza Express and independent establishments local to them – to my brother and his wife, who have two children under four. Each time they’ve gasped with glee as they realise I’m not just presenting them with the gift of dough balls, but the gift of a kid-free night out.
It’s so much better than gifting cash or, worse, a bank transfer, which inevitably gets sucked into the ether and used on bills and loo roll. A gift card earmarks that money to be used in a special way, and your recipient is much more likely to think of you when they cash it in.
I once received a £50 gift card for Pret a Manger and honestly, it was the gift that kept on giving. On dreary Monday mornings, I’d treat myself to a Pret breakfast on the way into work; at the end of the month when funds were thin, my Pret gift card meant I could still enjoy a chicken caesar baguette. I can’t think of anyone who wouldn’t appreciate a gift card to their favourite lunch or coffee spot – it makes those little midweek treats taste even sweeter.
This Christmas, my partner’s hiking-mad brother asked for vouchers to an outdoor store that he likes. At first we felt robbed of the chance to think up a lovely, thoughtful gift for him, but we soon realised outdoors stuff is generally quite dull – better we gift him the gift card than wrap up boot laces and thermal socks.
Of course, always be wary of buying a gift card from a company that might go out of business and check the expiry date (and make sure the recipient is aware, too). But that caveat aside, there are so many gift cards available these days – covering everything from food to clothes to experiences – you can really tailor your choice to whoever you’re shopping for. Remember, it’s not just money. An Amazon gift card is the gift of a movie night in; an Xbox gift card means hours of free gaming; a Deliveroo gift card is a takeaway that tastes even better because it cost them nothing. They’re not just for high street brands and big name retailers, either – many independent businesses, especially cafes and restaurants, offer the option to buy gift vouchers, meaning you can still shop small and local.
So, if you’re stuck on a last-minute present, please don’t gloss over the humble gift card. It could just be the most thoughtful present you give this year.
Images: Getty Images
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