Off-Topic Your opinion of Gift Cards?

[Rivercat]

My mom gives me an Amazon gc nearly every year for my birthday and holiday gifts and it's great because I can get what I want/need. I have a close friend who loves books and Starbucks chai lattes so she really only wants free money to spend on those, and she will often give me a book store or Target card as well.

In general I've been trying to come up with gifts for people that don't just add more clutter to their lives unless there's something they especially want or would appreciate.