Anyone else get slightly annoyed when.....

people give you gift cards to the places you're registered at rather then a gift?

Had my shower on Saturday and I got 3 gift cards, and another 2 in the mail from people that couldn't make it. This could just be me, but IMO they obviously went to the store to get it, or ordered it online - so why couldn't they just pick a gift off the registry? I mean, people buy gift cards so you can go buy what you want......but the whole point of a registry is that we're telling them exactly what to buy! Right? And frankly, I don't have the time to go shopping at the store anytime soon....

I appreciate the gesture regardless, but slightly annoyed because it just seems like a somewhat lazy thing to do....putting zero effort into it. Even if they didn't want to lug a gift to the shower, it could have just been delivered.

I'm sure there are certain situations where people had no choice, and that's fine....but, it's just something in the back of my mind that bugged me. Not like I'm going to say anything though!

Anyone else feel this way or am I being completely selfish?

For those that mailed them to you, I think maybe it was easier to mail a gift card than an actual present.

For those that came to the shower with the card... maybe what they wanted to give you was big/cumbersome so they preferred giving you a GC?

---

I appreciate the gesture regardless, but slightly annoyed because it just seems like a somewhat lazy thing to do....putting zero effort into it. Even if they didn't want to lug a gift to the shower, it could have just been delivered.


Anyone else feel this way or am I being completely selfish?

---

2 thoughts -

1. It costs and arm and a leg to get most registry gifts delivered. BBB and Fortunoff, etc. knows they can charge mucho bucks for shipping on these gifts and they do. So its SIGNIFICANTLY cheaper to ship a gift card.

2. I LOVED getting gift cards MORE than gifts... it will give us an opportunity to shop for things we need for months.. seasonal things, things we didnt think to register for, etc. the flexibility is fantastic.

I dont think you are being selfish, just silly. It really is no different than getting a gift.

Actually, I was sort of hoping I would get a few gift cards. Then I can put them toward something I really do want -- maybe something more expensive on the registry that no one bought me. (Sadly, no one is buying my crystal - my FAVORITE thing on my registry)

Plus, I'm registered at Macys and Crate & Barrel. I can always use the Macys cards toward a dress for the RD or something.

I like the gift cards b/c it allows me to complete my registry. I know in the end I'll have forgottent o register for something and since the stores give completition bonuses I get to use the gift card to get MORE than just their money would have bought.

I love the cards and gift cards but I live in Detorit right now so its a pain in the butt to transport all the way to New York!! maybe they think it will be more convenient. Keep the card scoming

In my opinion I love the gift cards!! I can save them and put them towards something that we didn't even think to put on our registry or something that was really expensive that we didn't get.

Ok, i guess it is just me then.

Don't get me wrong, I love gift cards and I'm sure I will use them towards some of the things I DON'T get.

I think I'm partially annoyed at WHO gave me the cards and why....

1. FH's family - NONE of his aunts and cousins came to the shower, because it was in NYC and they didn't want to go through the trouble of crossing over from NJ to make it in. (this isn't an assumption, this is the reason). So, they sent a gift card, and not one per person, but one card shared by 5 people.....which means one person went to the store and bought it and sent it, and the others gave her $$. I'm sorry, but I don't think there was ANY thought put into this, it was basically out of obligation.

2. A friend I work with couldn't make it to the shower, so yesterday she said she needed to get my address so she can send me my gift.....Well, this morning I come in and find the gift card on my desk, no card with it.

The other ones I got, I'm fine with that.....it's just these examples I got a little annoyed with.

Sorry to vent!!