Roger,

It depends on the situation.  Now I am sounding like Michael Jacobs .  My parents used to give me a check so that I could go buy at the after Christmas sales, and another wrapped gift.  They felt I could get more for the dollars that way and get exactly what I want.  It is the thought that counts, some people just don't want to shop (who can blame them?).  It may be impersonal, but they thought of you.  A

Roger, wouldn't you rather have your stocking stuffed with a nice cylindrical fifth of Dewers than an impersonal gift card???

I love to receive them for places and things that I use often.  I love the ability to give the recipient a gift they can use for what they really want or need.

They are very popular and as far as my kids are concerned they like them or cash so they can pick exactly what they want.

Roger,
Better than a gift that doesn’t work. 

very very little

I generally only give them as a donation. When they had the giving trees and they would ask for food or clothes I gave a gift card with an ornament . 

Many people like them...At my age, I don't need anymore trinkets

Many gift cards are never used. You need to be very careful with your selection.

Teenagers and young adults LOVE gift cards. They can buy the clothes they need and LIKE... or whatever else. We usually give them in addition to all the other goodies they asked for on their wish list. 

I like them but sometimes not the store variety. Possibly a store might not be close or not have what you're always looking for. Stick with Visa or MC.

It depends on the individual I would be giving it to.

It depends.....  Sorry Michael Jacobs  - stole your line.  I always make a big deal out of family birthdays.  Arrange a dinner and put thought into each and every gift.  My birthday was on Thanksgiving.  My step son and his wife emailed me a gift card two days later.  That's it nothing else.  My feelings were hurt to say the least.  Why bother.  It did not make me feel special.  I was already sharing my birthday with Turkey Day.  A little effort would have gone a long way.  Boooooo  hoooooo  

I personally would rather have a gift card than to get something I have to return.

Love to give em, love to receive em.

Sometimes it is a great option.  I usually try to give a gift card to a specialty store that the recipient will buy something special for themselves that they wouldn't otherwise buy.  

Sometimes for those hard to buy for people, it is the best idea.  They can get what they want.

I love to buy gifts but many have told me they prefer that I give a gift card so I give them gift cards .

Sure beats the hell out of looking for different and non-returnable items.  Just get the card and let the recipient buy what they want...

Why not?  It's better than an unwanted gift being given away or stuck in a drawer never to be seen again.  Send me one Roger I'll use it 

I love to receive them and I love more than anything to give them....people love to receive them, especially my grandchildren.... everyone is too old for toys now...money and gift cards....

 Yes, go to it!

Philosophically, I don't like them, as I do like to think about buying a special gift for special people in my life. That being said, I now give gift cards to kids and grandkids, who have expressed a desire for them so they can spend it on what they really want. Increasingly, I prefer to receive them, as well, as that way I'm not getting things that are useless to me.

Unless you know the person well enough to get them a gift they really want then it is a good idea.

I like receiving and giving them. but I have to remember to use them.

Roger D. Mucci it's one of the items that is impersonal.

I prefer to give gift that is going to be useful to  person.

I'm not a big fan.  I would prefer a real gift.  Or, rather than a gift card, cash will work better.

Roger, I am all for them.  I give cards to places I know the receiver shops. For my escrow officer and others that I give gifts who are not "family or friends" I give cold hard CASH.  I know they appreciate cash. 

Roger D. Mucci I think, Gift cards as Christmas gifts can be good idea.

I dislike them immensely.  To me it says "I couldn't be bothered"!   The whole point of gift giving is finding the meaning of what that person would like, need, desire . . .  

Even for long distance I don't like them.  Most of my family is overseas or on the other side of the Country and I go online and find them something that I know will bring a smile to their face . . .    for example I have a Canadian nephew who is in his final year studying in Dublin Ireland.  I arranged online for a basket of Craft Beer and nibblies plus a Christmas Cake decorated with the Canadian Flag and says Greetings from Canada.  I know he'll love the personal touch.

All I want for Christmas is for someone to think about me and not themselves, just for a moment!

Practical but impersonal - perfect for me as a giver or receiver.   

Nothing wrong with it....Target, Macy etc women all love them.

Great for long distance.   For someone close, that you know well?  If I am going to get them something, pick it out and get them something real.  Something that means something, maybe an inside joke or something you know they want or need.  For people that can buy whatever they want, half the challenge is figuring out something (simple and not too costly) that they need, just dont know it yet.  Try to stay away from gift cards unless for clients at closings.

Love to give gift card, makes things easy. Target or a preloaded Visa are the ones I use.

A great deal for the stores, a waste of time for the giver and the receiver though.

It is very rare that another can pick out something that meets the receiver's clothing taste ! So , it's the safe move !

A great idea but I do believe you should chose your gift cards wisely. Giving a restaurant gift card to a restaurant that doesn't exist near the recipient is just as bad as giving them sn ugly sweater that they won't wear.

Before gift cards existed I used to receive book tokens back in the 1960s.  Loved them!

Make mine an Apple gift card.

Most people do not like to where grey suits and white shirts and it beats buying the wrong size socks and underwear!

Roger D. Mucci They are a good option. It gives the receiver the ability to purchase whatever they want.

Impersonal? yes; practical when you have multiple nieces & nephews? YES!

A convenient solution for fulfilling an obligation and the easiest stocking stuffer ever. Do I get points for this? 

They are a last choice option I exercise too often. Surprising, they are a big hit!

Roger, For the most part my sister and her kids love getting them.  For me personally, we've got a box of them that we've gotten and never used.  I almost forget we've got them.

I like receiving them but prefer giving something personal or special.

Roger - I don't mind getting gift cards for Christmas, as long as they are things I will use.

As far as giving them, the same thing applies. I think the people I give them to are okay with receiving them.

Love gift cards for gifts!  I wish my brother get the idea of gift cards as he has the worst taste in gifts!

Roger, only if it is for your store.

I give em, I accept em.  

Good morning Roger,

My mother has been giving gift cards for the past ten years.

It is time saver for her and everyone appreciates them. My husband and I do prefer to buy presents.

I wouldn't mind receiving them instead of those ugly Christmas sweaters I used to receive! I actually got a cheese ball at a grab bag once. Would have much rather received a gift card and pick out my own cheese...

Good morning Roger. I give them out to all my employees.

 Good Sunday morning Roger. That would be a great idea if the Christmas card had $100 bill in it!

The best gift card is a co-op card with the name of the business on 1/2 and our brokerage on the other 1/2.

It says you either don't know them or care enough about them.

They are great for certain situations.  Gift cards for coffee shops and dessert shops are good for people that frequent those places.  Movies and book store gift cards are also good ideas.  Not a fan of  discount store gift cards.