It can seem like the safest present for someone who is difficult to buy for. But one popular choice could leave your loved one with an expiry date, an unexpected expense, or nothing to spend at all…
With Christmas shopping approaching, Dawson Whitfield, gifting expert at Kindred Press, is urging shoppers to think twice before buying gift cards, warning that the convenience can hide three frustrating catches.
He said: “A gift card feels like giving someone the freedom to choose. But you are also choosing where they can spend, sometimes how long they have to spend it, and whether your budget will actually cover something they want.”
The first risk is that the gift could become worthless if the retailer collapses. Administrators can stop accepting vouchers, potentially leaving the recipient unable to spend their balance. Some businesses continue honouring them, but shoppers cannot assume that will happen.
Whitfield warned: “You might spend £50 believing you have given someone £50 of shopping. But if the retailer stops accepting that card before they use it, they could be left with nothing. Putting it aside for a special occasion can become an expensive disappointment.”
The second problem is that the present can expire before it is enjoyed. Someone saving their voucher for a birthday, a bigger purchase or a quieter month could miss the deadline. Depending on the terms, the countdown may begin when the card is bought, meaning early Christmas shopping can eat into the recipient’s time to use it.
He explained: “The person receiving it may never see the receipt or the terms you saw at checkout. They just see a balance and assume it will be there when they need it. You have effectively given them another deadline to remember.
The third drawback is that using the gift may mean spending their own money. A voucher limits the recipient to particular shops, and some cards also restrict whether they can shop online or in person.
Whitfield said: “Imagine giving someone a £20 voucher for a shop where the only thing they want costs £35. They now have to add £15, settle for something they do not really want, or leave the card unused. A present should not put someone under pressure to spend.”
For shoppers who want to give someone choice, he suggests cash or a bank transfer with a handwritten message explaining the thought behind it, such as a contribution towards their next book haul or a hobby they love.
For something to unwrap, a book from their wish list, a journal they would use, or a small keepsake connected to a shared memory can offer a personal touch within a modest budget. Including a gift receipt where available gives them room to change their mind.
Another option is to arrange a meal or outing together, agreeing the date and covering the promised cost directly.
He advised: “Start with something they have mentioned wanting, enjoying or saving towards. You do not need to guess at an impressive present. A thoughtful note with money towards something they genuinely want can mean far more than a voucher they struggle to use.”
TRENDING
It can seem like the safest present for someone who is difficult to buy for. But one popular choice could leave your loved one with an expiry date, an unexpected expense, or nothing to spend at all…