Gift cards have been called lazy and impersonal. We disagree. Here is the honest argument for and against.
The case against gift cards
A generic gift card from a forecourt, handed over in an envelope with no card, is lazy. If there is zero thought about who the person is or what category they would enjoy — that is not a gift, it is a handoff of responsibility.
The case for a well-chosen gift card
A choice gift card in a specific category — wellness, tech, food, fashion — is a completely different proposition. It says: I know you love this kind of thing, I want you to choose something you genuinely want. That is not laziness. That is respect for the recipient's taste.
When a gift card beats a physical gift
When you are genuinely unsure what to buy.\nWhen the person is particular or has very specific tastes.\nWhen they are abroad and receiving physical gifts is complicated.\nFor last-minute gifts where physical delivery is not possible.
How to make a gift card feel personal
Choose a category, not just a generic retailer.\nAdd a personalised message explaining why you chose this category.\nSend it alongside a handwritten card or a small physical treat.
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A gift card is only lazy if you make it lazy. A choice gift card in the right category, paired with a personal message and genuine intent, is one of the most considered gifts you can give.
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