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Gift Cards?

I like the Visa/Mastercard/American Express cards that can be used anywhere. I love getting and giving them.

I think they are great for teenagers. Who knows what they want?

Another kind of gift card that my grand parents really enjoy are the amazon.com ones. They are almost 90 years old and love shopping there. No driving, etc..
 
Did anyone catch the news between yesterday and today - talking about gift cards? many are saying it is not a good idea to give any with the economy the way it is because of stores closing and cards not being honored, etc.

I sort of agree with that - not everyone runs out and spends their gift cards the next day. Some put them away and that is a good way to lose the value fo the card or be able to use it.

I'll stick to personal gifts this year.
 
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Mama Mangia said:
Did anyone catch the news between yesterday and today - talking about gift cards? many are saying it is not a good idea to give any with the economy the way it is because of stores closing and cards not being honored, etc.

I sort of agree with that - not everyone runs out and spends their gift cards the next day. Some put them away and that is a good way to lose the value fo the card or be able to use it.

I'll stick to personal gifts this year.
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Good thing you let us know MamaM.

Crazy thing not to get off subject but today we had to run by the mall to exchange a pair of sneakers. Well we get in there and it is already decorated for Christmas and Santa is already there and I ask my 9 yr old if she wants to go see Santa, she says rather staunchly "No way not until Dec. 1st!" I said it's Ok you can go see him sweetie and she would not budge, turns out she is very upset that the "powers that be" in the mall would be pushing Christmas already and we have not even celebrated Thanksgiving yet :) I am proud of her for having her covictions and the determination to stand up for what she feels is right! I spoke to a man at the Jewelry store and was telling him about her feeling that way [as he was placing potted poinsettas around] and he said "You know I agree with her, if I were not instructed to do so I would not be putting these out yet!" The selfish greedy retailers are in for probably one of the "tightest" Christmas's in decades and they are combatting by trying to pump up sales early in th season.

Sad as the economy may be I am finding the whole thing rather strangely interesting and laughable! I feel people will be choosing to spend their $$$ wisely and quit being so foolish about Christmas, return to the real "Spirit and Reason" for our celebration and Enjoy the dickens out of it without going broke or in debt beyond sanity! Maybe that is why I am feeling jovial and elated about the whole darned issue!?!
 
Cathy,

I couldn't agree with you more ~ AND I AM SO SO IMPRESSED WITH YOUR DAUGHTER ~ SHE STOOD UP FOR WHAT SHE BELIEVED IN ~ A million "right-on's and Bravo's" to her.

I wish people too would stop saying "Happy Holidays" It's MERRY CHRISTMAS and it is about the Celebration of the Birth of Jesus Christ ~ ~ NOT FOR RETAILERS, NOT FOR POLITICALLY CORRECT PEOPLE ~ BUT JUST THAT.... The celebration of the Birth of Jesus Christ THE REAL REAL REASON FOR Christmas. I don't appreciate hearing every year how the retailers hope to have a good season for Christmas purchases ~ well the reason is simple: First they spell it Xmas ... then they say Happy Holidays... Then they flood the market with slogans such as... ."If you love someone get them this product for the Holiday" .... Those are retailers I won't be buying from.

Sorry, to be so candid, but I really love Christmas ~ the Real Christmas and the Reason for Christmas ~ not so retailers can earn a profit.
 
I hope retail - store people do good this Holiday season. I know it can get to commercial and every thing but... it does create jobs for people and that's a good thing!! Last year I gave gift cards, small gifts, candy always warms the Heart (my heart) anyway. :p Today I bought flowers poinsettias and a bow for people that aren't here any more and that is really sad. So it's really important to show the people who are in you Life that you care and Love them. I bought a Christmas CD today Josh Groban NOEL He has such a Beautiful voice. I don't think I will start my shopping to early but I'll be out at the mall and stores. It's fun seeing whats "New". I'm going to be very spontaneous this Holiday Season! Cookie :)
 
I have that CD too~ Josh Groban has a beautiful voice ~ he is the same age as my son Joe. I have 2 other of his cd's too.

I enjoy the family togetherness for Christmas and its a time like to other for me.

I understand the retailers need to make money but too they need to respect what real Christmas is all about and not just their profits, I would actually be inclined to spend more if they would advertise the real meaning of Christmas and not just that they need to have a certain percentage sold.

I bake for many of my family and friends and then I give them a very personal gift. I taught my son the real reason for Christmas and it's not about the gifts but the gifts are given for the birth of Jesus Christ not to just get "stuff" and to not have expected the latest craze. Now that he is an adult it's so much nicer to buy gifts for him.
 
How old is Josh Groban -just curious??? I Love Christmas to. I think retailers really have to tap into what the consumers want and what has meaning to people. Some of the stores do that really well, they really put pride into the way there stores look and really put it together beautifully. I know I'm changing because I went into a store that just had stuff. (I won't mention who) I did buy some gloves got a great deal on them, I bought some flowers to, that worked out so I shouldn't complain to much. However it was just a lot of STUFF!! I couldn't wait to get out of there. I really appreciate the stores that look clean and you can find what your looking for, that kind of store I really do hope they do well this year. Cookie :)
 
dianncy64 said:

Sorry, to be so candid, but I really love Christmas ~ the Real Christmas and the Reason for Christmas ~ not so retailers can earn a profit.
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Do not be sorry for being candid, it is perfectly fine to state your opinion and that IS what I love about our forum we are mature adults and we can agree, or agree to disagree and move on, and then we can even be reminded as Cookie points out that the creation of jobs is a good thing & we can all be happy about that. It is fun to discuss these things, it is fun to know how others feel and it is fun to be able to be CANDID with our thoughts and feeling and take a stand. I really agree with you and Cookie on loving Christmas it is a very special and Holy time, a beautiful celebration of the miraculous birth of the mightiest King ever!!! What a celebration!!!!! And for some reason I am feeling very very excited about this Christmas.
 
Josh Groban is 27 years old, in fact he is only 2 months older than my son, both were born in 1981.

That is what I truly admire about this forum ~ "that IS what I love about our forum we are mature adults and we can agree, or agree to disagree and move on". Thank you for understanding, and too Christmas is a special and Holy time and I look forward to it each year: besides the celebration of the most miraculous birth, Christmas also brings out the best in others, more caring is shown and politeness extended and happy greetings to everyone, Christmas to me is magic, I just love it.
 
I Love that CD NOEL. I thought Josh Groban was in his 20's. I have to get my other Christmas CD'S down from where my Christmas stuff is. I Love Christmas music, it makes the season brighter!! Cookie :)
 
cookie said:
I Love that CD NOEL. I thought Josh Groban was in his 20's. I have to get my other Christmas CD'S down from where my Christmas stuff is. I Love Christmas music, it makes the season brighter!! Cookie :)
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Yes it certainly does, I also love the Mariah Cary Christmas CD, she has a song that I simply LOVE called "Jesus Oh What A Wonderful Child" it is so up beat!!!
 
Three cheers for a strong-willed 9-year old!

Back in August we had stores putting out their leftover from last year holiday decorations. Cripe - we weren' even done with back to school shopping!

I remember the good old old days - the stores decorated for Christmas the day AFTER Thanksgiving.

The Christmas music is already on some radio stations - cripe - give it a rest. It is a turn off.

A lot of houses here were decorated before Halloween for the holiday - but because of our lake effect snow you have to do it then. Just don't turn on the lights yet!

And also - over a month ago I noticed a home with a tree completely decroated, windows, doors, etc. - but I agree with it for that family. A loved one was coming home from Iraq for a couple weeks and then was heading back. In that case - I would have done it too.

And get this - a store manager was getting something from the stock room for me last week and I was standing in the doorway - an employee in the stockroom asked where they should stock the VALENTINE'S DAY stuff that had just come in.

grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr
 
Mama Mangia said:
Three cheers for a strong-willed 9-year old!
And get this - a store manager was getting something from the stock room for me last week and I was standing in the doorway - an employee in the stockroom asked where they should stock the VALENTINE'S DAY stuff that had just come in. grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr
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That is hysterical!!!!:D I mean goodness Feb 14th is a ways down the road!
 
You know, it's funny, when we were growing up ~ a lot of our Christmas functions were church involved (I went to a Catholic school) and we volunteered at the vet's home and the less fortunate. We were taught to make crafts for gift giving and we were actively involved in the real meaning of Christmas ~ most parents didn't go ballistic trying to obtain the latest gift craze, we were given gifts in moderation, and almost the whole town showed up at church (or their church) on Christmas Morning ~ always fasting until we got home for a delicious brunch and once home, all the kids would be out with their new sleds or skates or whatever and it was great. It was tradition that my older brother would let each of us other siblings ride on his back while we sledded down the crazy hill ~ it was great. Then after Christmas dinner, we would all watch a little tv with hot chocolate and cookies ~ talk about awesome~ that was great. I did similar Christmas with my son~ but in AZ no snow so we compromised with roller skates and bike riding.

Christmas now is just to commercialized and from talking with some young children in my neighborhood~ when asked if they know why we have Christmas: some respond "to get stuff" and all about santa claus or "I'm getting this (usually the latest craze) or I'll be so mad at mommy" ~ Makes me shake my head because they don't know the reason for Christmas
 
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I wish there were a simple solution for this commer******m of Christmas, Easter, Thanksgiving etc.... but there is no easy solution or answer. It may be that society on the whole has turned their back on tradition and religion and conventional wisdom! But I really do not believe that is so. We may feel that is so but there is no way it can be so if just a handful of us are even having this conversation. So......
What can make a difference is for each of us as individuals do our part to keep with tradition. Counter the materialism by interjecting "goodness and brotherly love and concern" into the holiday and continue to be filled with simple "goodness" and allow that little effort to have it's effect. Never forget there are also "ripple effects" as a boat goes thru the waters it can not help but make ripples, if you go through the holidays and use "friendly" reminders of the "reason for the season" (Christmas Cards, placing coins in the Salvation Army Kettle, donating canned goods to a food bank, placing Nativity scenes in your front yard, etc.) you will be causing "ripples" so to speak and that is all it takes, enough individuals do the good things the "ripples" will be felt and grow stronger and stronger and it will have a wonderful effect upon someone's life somewhere!!! You will be making a difference!
 
Mama Mangia said:
Did anyone catch the news between yesterday and today - talking about gift cards? many are saying it is not a good idea to give any with the economy the way it is because of stores closing and cards not being honored, etc.

I sort of agree with that - not everyone runs out and spends their gift cards the next day. Some put them away and that is a good way to lose the value fo the card or be able to use it.

I'll stick to personal gifts this year.
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That is why the Mastercard/Visa/Amex cards are great. Unless one of these go bankrupt, your fine.
 
:) CASH is always a GOOD THING to for Young Adults.. Just put it in a cute Holiday card they "LOVE" it!! with a small present for something to open.
Cookie :)
 
RE: "I Love that CD NOEL. I thought Josh Groban was in his 20's. "

Yep- Josh is GREAT! Fantastic voice!

BTW- I was only recently introduced to the music of "IL Divo". Lordy- has anyone else heard/seen them? If not, check out their website. By maneuvering around a bit you can watch several of their videos. Ya gotta see/hear "Halleluah" (My nephew calls it the "Shrek" song!). INCREDIBLE! Makes the hair on the back of your neck stand up, and sends shivers down one's spine! These boys are all pretty EZ on the eyes, too!
 
I just gave my 6 year old niece a gift and an american express gift card for her birthday. She has every toy in the world already so I was quite pleased when my sister told me she decided to use the gift card to buy a ferret! Both my niece and nephew loved my ferrets. I think it's nice for them to have a pet. They each have a ferret now and have been very responsible about taking care of their pets themselves.
 
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