OT What's with all those gift certificates?

The other day I was in the local Safeway Market, and along with all the gum
and candy and magazines at checkout they displayed about a dozen different
gift certificates from various organizations. I received one, myself - Radio
Shack. I'm a middle class dad with three kids and an ex-wife, so I've been
giving the kids money for years $60 here, $40 there - - I call them
"Universal Gift Certificates", but I've never received any of those
"universal" things in return. Of course, I don't expect any of them to have
a lot to spend, so I'm always grateful for the cards and their sentiments.
But what kind of a benevolent gesture is it to restrict where I can shop for
a gift for myself? I could understand their popularity, if the gift
certificates were cheaper than their yield, but they're not. The giver
really spent that money. And now what percent of recipients will actually go
to the trouble of using them? I'll bet about the same percent that vote,
each year. It looks like a money maker for the certificate sources - - how
could we be hooked into such foolishness? What is it about "money" that is
so abhorrent to give or receive? Sure, it saves me the trouble of getting
wrong sizes of blouses or styling that's not "cool", and them the trouble of
returning stuff for what they really want. Does everyone view "money" as the
lazy way out?

suzee...

No, but store specific gift cards can be handy. We received some for a
large chain bookstore, because they know we like to read, but not
specifically what. Or cards to a favorite restaurant. They're
appreciated by many people.

sue, we're all different....