Do you shop for Christmas or do you give out Gift Cards?

I shop, I might give someone a small gift card but that is not all they get. I will only buy a small gift card worth about $10-$20. Most of the time I don't buy gift cards though. I have thought about it and even put it on my Christmas list and other peoples Christmas list I make for everyone. I keep a list of what I thought about buying for people. I was actually looking on amazon today at prices to buy people items for Christmas. I can tell you one thing, I still don't have my license because of money reasons. I never had money for anyone to teach me. My mother is now going to teach me (after long talking and a long time). At first she said she could not do it because of her nerves. Which I kind of understand but neither me or her have the money to do it any other way. I failed it in high school because of being sick and I missed to many days. I was only allowed to miss 3 days, and I was really sick so I ended up missing to many days. Once a while ago I did call someone and she took me driving but it costs $60 for one session. The lady really acted like my mother should be taking me, she gave me her card and even told me that if my mother wouldn't take me.... she would talk to her and try to make her understand that she really needs to take me driving. I think we are going to drive a little on thursday hopefully. My point is that it might be a good idea to give her the money to take driving lessons....especially if she has noone to take her driving. Plus if she has to have driving lesson because of her age then it might really be a good idea...it has just been a big hassle for me! Have you talked to her and asked her if that is something she would want?

i usually shopped and gift wrap it...its like a tradition in our family to wrap something and give to each member of the family in this way it keeps the family closer together and at the same time have fun in doing it..

Depends. Usually for my nephew and my son I do actual gifts, for everyone else I do small giftcards or a gift that is about $10 or so.

I usually go shopping, and I also make some of the gifts I give (note to self: need to get started on that lol) I started making scrapbooks for my family last year. Since I live 1600 miles away, I make up a scrapbook, sharing highlights from the year. But this year, my Christmas present to my family is going to be me...I'm flying back for Christmas, haven't seen my family in 2 years.

I love to shop for Christmas gifts, but it's always for clothes, usually, and then perhaps a game for their electronic gadgets. But we have 6 grandchildren, so it won't be much this year. We do give them a little money to spend however they see fit. But we never give gift cards. I hate to get them myself since they are usually given from a place I don't shop or can't find anything for myself. We just tell our children not to spend anything on us because we know they can't really afford it.

I opt for shopping myself. Although there are a few aquaintences that are just that, aquaintences (I just had to chance mispelling twice!LOL) that I send gift cards to. But the only reason I do is because I don't really know them personally and well a lot of reasons but 95.5% of mine is shopping. Just kind of adds that personal touch. Plus you hear so much now about these gift cards expiring and deducting money if not used in a specific time period so if you go that route you may want to check them out first. I like the driving lesson idea too!

No, I actually do shop for Christmas. I shop for everyone on my list. I do not like gift cards because most of the times my family members will b!+ch at me for giving them a gift card that they did not like, so I end up having to make up for it. I really do not like gift cards because it limits people, it forces them to shop at the one place.

[i]HI icy, I love to shop for my loved ones as well as give them little cash when I was working! This is my first Christmas that I have no job and I am trying to earn here..hahaha..wish me luck, I might be buying some presents for them and I know hubby will help me to surprise my Parents and Sister with a special present![/i]

i shop, but i start shopping in january, so by the time december comes, i'm done! i hate being pressured into making it all about the size of the gift, by doing it year round, i'm more likely to pick out something that makes me think of the person or that i' think they'll really like. i'm not above giving a gift card, and some people are just too hard to shop for, so they get gift cards. but for the main part, everyone gets a heartfelt gift from me.

Hi icy! I love Christmas shopping! This is actually one time of year when I don't mind a crowd in the stores. I love the hustle and bustle and excitement of it all! In fact I absolutely love practically everything about Christmas! I do have some out of state relatives whom I buy gift cards for, this is simply because I can not afford to mail actual packages. As for everyone else, I go shopping and select actual gifts. I think it is more personal and means more to put some thought and effort into picking out each individual gift then to just hand someone a gift card or money.

Hi icy-yuk christmas isn't far to go think it's about 96 days!! I do give cards to people whom are close to me eg certain friends,family but not to everyone now they are way to expensive and normally I have some left over from last year which comes in handy-as for gifts I am on benefits so they will be small even a friend I know who has the money to buy pressies has said that his family have all decided not to give gifts this christmas but to donate something to charity...littleowl

I love Christmas shopping! Once every couple years or so I'll give someone a gift card because I can't find anything for them, but mostly I shop for everybody, especially my kids!

I enjoy going shopping for a little while around Christmas time just to see all of the decorations. I'm a pretty patient person, so I laugh at all of the people who are so frantic and stressed out. I live far away from my family members, so at this point, I usually will send a gift card or order their gifts online and have them shipped.

I love shopping for Christmas. I would rather buy the presents because it is something from the heart. However, there are times when I will have no clue what to get a particular person, I will get a gift card to a store I know they will love. I have problems with my grandmother because she will get her other grand kids great presents and I will get a $5 gift card to Wal-Mart. I told my sister that I could finally buy a pack of GUM! lol

i love the christmas season, and i love giving gifts during that occasion.. i always try to get some gifts for my love ones as early as possible to avoid pressure.. but i also give gift cards so that they have the chance to really get what they want.. hehehe.. my "pasalubong" cargo is almost full and complete, and i will send it next month just in time to be received for christmas..

We do mail order stuff for christmas.

I hate Christmas shopping. I love to gift my loved ones randomly, but to put pressure on gifting every single person on one day.... that's a lot of pressure. It makes me sick just thinking about it.

Hy. I always go to the shopping for the Christmas.I love that. I never give money or gift cards. I really enjoy to give an object , a toy , a small thing or something that I choose.

I'm mainly buy presents for Christmas, things, not for example lessons :) My sister sometimes give Gift Cards to me, but my parent taught me it's more important to give someone something you want to, think about gift to prove you know that person. Gift Card to some shop it's just a last resort ^^"

I work with wishlists or heavily hinted suggestions or begging by family, friends and others ! I think experiences, red letter days are all the rage ..can't beat living in colour!