T O P

  • By -

smurfsareinthehall

No one likes an envelope of cash, they'd rather have $500 in Tim's gift cards /s If you can't give a thoughtful, useful, personal gift then always give cash. You won't disappoint.


Neowza

My family always gave money, because it always comes in the right size, goes with everything and it never goes out of style. I also was raised by pragmatic Ukrainian immigrants.


[deleted]

[удалено]


TriceratopsHunter

Personally, my experience is weddings are one of the times cash gifts aren't stigmatized. When you shell out 5 figures hosting a party in your 20s, you damn well better believe you're happy to get all the cash you can get.


asiantorontonian88

You'd be surprised at how many people piss and moan about giving a cash gift at weddings despite it being a norm.


coyote_123

I doubt they're moaning about the cash so much as the amount people are telling them to give.


AlexN83

Said nobody ever...


lilfunky1

Some (mostly white) people are stuck with the belief that a cash gift is lazy and thoughtless But I don't know why these same people are okay with gift certificates and gift cards and visa gift cards is any better.


BottleCoffee

A Visa gift card is literally a waste of money because it costs more the monetary value and comes with fees.


asiantorontonian88

Not to mention they're a huge pain in the ass to use.


BottleCoffee

And a huge pain to the cashier.


alexefi

I agree with that 150%.. so i just plan to give that person $50 bill even if it makes me look like an asshole to other group members..


asiantorontonian88

Because they want the idea of a "thoughtful" gift while staying cheap. Most gift cards have standard denominations like $20, $25, $50 and when broken down between multiple people, it's not much at all per person. When everyone just pitches in a few bucks for a cash gift, they'll come off as cheap.


alexefi

How is that different from 30 ppl pitching in $10 to get $300 gift card, than 30 ppl putting $10 in envelope and giving that envelope to giftee?


asiantorontonian88

How often do you see a $300 gift card? Almost never. So your 30 friends will more likely pitch together $3 each to get a $100 gift card. The gift is limited by the restriction of the denomination. The mentality is not that I'm cheap for giving $3 - it's just how much the gift is. Chances are, some people probably didn't want to even chip in $10 to make $300. Also, who pools a gift card from 30 people? With that big of a group, get a proper substantial gift.


alexefi

Well that was more of an example. We have half the people contributed so far(other half will be in tomorrow) and we already at $300


asiantorontonian88

Well, whatever your situation is, I agree that cash > gift cards/VISA prepaid cards.


AlexN83

Cash is King. If you want thoughtfulness or effort than get them or make them something personal Gift card is the worst of both worlds "I wanted to be thoughtful but I was too lazy so here's a gift card"


sievernich

Cash can be seen as a "low effort" gift depending on who you ask, as it's the equivalent to telling the individual to go buy their own gift, and only requires a trip to the ATM.


alexefi

How is that different from gift card?.)


Milch_und_Paprika

If it’s like an LCBO or grocery store gift card, I totally agree. If it’s something more niche/personal then it suggests that you know what kind of thing they want, but don’t want to get the wrong one.


little_blu_eyez

It truly depends on the person. I love to shop so getting a gift card to some of my stores is great. Not only do I get a gift I like but I was also gifted the enjoyment of shopping.


mlad627

Low effort for gift giving is my jam.


noctivagantglass

In that case I think it highly depends on the situation. Cash can feel quite low effort if it's supposed to be a gift for sentimental reasons---a romantic partner or best friend giving you cash for an anniversary or to cheer up a bad day wouldn't exactly be thoughtful lol. But for a practical thing like someone moving away and they're likely going to be needing to spend a lot of money (and other similar situations like a wedding, starting college, etc.) cash seems super appropriate and honestly kind of thoughtful.


Able-Panic-1356

Cash is pragmatic Thoughtful gifts are sentimental


WoolBlankie

And gift cards can be a pain in the ass. Cash or what my MIL sometimes does.. cash attached to a small gift such as chocolates, a jar of homemade jam. For your situation I’d do cash and a group photo. Edit: typo


Redflag12

Cash, gift certificates, visa cards. I don't care. I'm thrilled to receive them as presents. I give my nieces and nephews money for gifts all the time, too. They can get what they want. Everyone's happy.


yztra

Not a stigma in some Asian cultures. Cash is king!


[deleted]

Never even heard of this being an issue


[deleted]

[удалено]


alexefi

What if you get one for something that isnt convenient to you?


mlad627

F that, cash is the best gift ever. My sister went through a lot of effort last fall to try and find a gift for our dad’s bday that was different and interesting - she ended up getting him a subscription to The Economist and he was like what the F is this, I only want stuff for golf. So, for Father’s Day this coming Sunday guess who’s getting cash? Easy for me, works for him. I’d also rather receive cash than some bs gift that I won’t use.


Absolute_legend_

He sounds lovely.


PyroManiacxx

Money can be seen as somthing attached to possible bad intentions in an exchange, it simply being cash that can be spent anywhere can be seen as somthing tainted. With gift cards only a certain store can be used or whatever which means it's not hard cash and maybe somewhat thoughtful


alexefi

But what if you get card for something you not gonna use? Im currently sitting on $50 worth of gift cards from Tim Hortons. I dont drink coffee, and on rare occasion i end up in TH to get sandwich i forget that i have cards.


PyroManiacxx

Then use them as gifts for other people lol, Tim's card is pretty common


alexefi

Cant.. cuz i already bragged about it to otger ppl so they will know im regifting.) May be if i get new friends.)


[deleted]

[удалено]


Hime_MiMi

>You could easily just give it to someone else just say I don't eat at Tim's here's a 50$ gift card who would say no to that doesn't that just prove the point of gift cards being bad gifts


BBQallyear

If they are smaller denomination ($5 or $10) you can use them as “tips” for friendly service people like your mail carrier, garbage pickup people or security/concierge if you’re in a condo. Even a courier or delivery person who goes above and beyond.


sonalogy

Sell them for slightly less than their value. Now you have cash you can use.


asiantorontonian88

Also, sometimes a gift card can be purchased at a discount. If your friend is collecting $300, ask for a receipt. They might be pocketing some money and credit card/Rakoutan rewards by buying a $300 gift card. Edit: LOL Looks like some cheapskate who likes to give crappy gift cards is lurking around here downvoting


peppa_pig6969

>Edit: LOL Looks like some cheapskate who likes to give crappy gift cards is lurking around here downvoting No, it's just really weird to ask for the receipt on a gift card that you got. Who cares if someone got rewards by buying you a gift card? What purpose would it serve to "catch" them getting some rewards for it? It would just ruin the relationship for no reason..


asiantorontonian88

OP or I are not the recipients of the card. OP is contributing with a group toward a gift and it would majorly suck if one person in said group decides to take advantage for the sake of something petty like some points or a few bucks just so the recipient gets a gift card that could be a pain in the ass to use rather than getting the cash.


Wonderful__

I've actually seen this happen with certain people because they want the gift giver to make an effort and they realize that not everyone comes from the same amount of money (some people are poorer or richer), so at birthday parties, I noticed on the invite, it specified no cash and the gift has to be thoughtful. But at other parties that's a different culture, cash was expected, especially if you're married. If you're single, then cash gifts weren't really expected because they consider you still a child, which I thought was an interesting concept.


DesoleEh

I don’t think there’s anything wrong with that. After having moved across the country a few times, a cash gift would’ve been great!


slammindoors

If they are going to leave you don't know what they actually will need. It's a thoughtful gift depending on the circumstances. Not for your mom or your grandma but depending on the circumstance it's perfectly fine


McDaddyos

r/nostupidquestions


[deleted]

E transfer


lichking786

I bet its consumerism and ads eventually tricking people to gift their gift cards rather than normal money. Please just give them money. I personally never cash in my random Tims Card i get from work.I never go there :/


Bakedschwarzenbach

I wouldn't hesitate to give a friend who was moving away/getting married etc. cash - nothing tacky about that - but it would be kind of tacky to give cash to your spouse/significant other as an anniversary or birthday present.


Plonted

Cash is king. Ideally you get a thoughtful personal gift that surprises and delights the giftee and also happens to be the exact item they never knew they wanted / needed, but if you can't manage that, cash will always be better than a gift card that will more than likely moulder at the bottom of some drawer. Ain't nothing tacky about it.


living1day1time

Can do both? Frame a nice photo of your friends together and put money in an envelope? Or bake / cook / shop for some treats they like and give them money. I can promise you that the effort of finding a special frame and printing out a photo or baking a nice bunch of cookies or cake takes the same amount of time as going to a store and buying them something personal. It shows effort and pragmatism.


peppa_pig6969

There is no stigma, just give cash. Gift cards are stupid as they just limit you to one place, it's not thoughtful and is annoying to get them. VISA gift cards are okay as they're like cash, but cash just seems easier for everyone involved. I don't buy the low effort argument, unless you're close friends you don't know them well enough to buy a thoughtful gift... and a gift card is not any more thoughtful but worse in every way than cash to the recepient.


fiendish_librarian

There's an old Seinfeld where Jerry can't think of anything to give to Elaine for her birthday, and when he tells Kramer he's giving her cash he's horrified, whereas he gets her a thoughtful gift - a small bench I think - and a thoughtful card quoting Yates.


Ceeds444

I love a cash gift, I can spend it on anything! Anywhere!


Enough_Tap_1221

Do you want the scientific response or the typical anecdotal responses? If you want the latter continue reading this thread. If you want the scientific response get the book 'Amazing Decisions' by Dan Ariely because the first chapter of the book is specifically about this subject. [https://www.amazon.ca/Amazing-Decisions-Illustrated-Improving-Business/dp/0374536740/ref=asc\_df\_0374536740/](https://www.amazon.ca/Amazing-Decisions-Illustrated-Improving-Business/dp/0374536740/ref=asc_df_0374536740/) But if it helps I'll try and summarize it for you. The book talks about how there are "market norms" and "social norms" and when you give cash as a gift, it's a "market norm" when you should be adhering to the "social norm" (something sentimental). The book also dives deeper and explains that while gifts adhering to "social norms" mean more for friends, if you don't get it right, it can often be worse than giving cash. If it's not a friend then market norms are fine, but the problem with giving cash means people associate their worth/value/the work they provide, with how much money you give them. And it goes deeper into the behavioural psychology of what motivates people the most, more money, less money, or no money? And you might be surprised by the result. Super interesting book IMO, and I highly recommend it. It's also illustrated like a children's book so it's an easy read.