Reply #5: We give out several..but we always ask for ideas on something [View All]

they want and they either give us a list to choose from or they suggest a gift certificate/card to their favorite places to shop.

ie: one son has a collection of panoramic pics..rather large. The last few years, he's been suggesting gift cards to the place that does his framing. His wife usually makes some suggestions and then asks for the rest to a place where she can buy her favorite DVD's.

My other son just recently married and this year he and his wife both requested gift cards to a home store.

DH and I suggest them for ourselves too. I've bought planters in the spring with Christmas gift cards that I wouldn't have otherwise been able to afford. Last year we actually bought a toilet with one! This year the kids have all gotten us gift cards to use towards a tv since ours went bad. Yeah..nobody keeps a secret in this family.

Gift cards may not be right for everyone..but our family seems to enjoy them. Of course..the grandkids all get toys.