Luann by Greg Evans and Karen Evans for December 26, 2017

So Nancy’s husband and children ALSO got gift cards?

Looks like everyone had the same problem with knowing what to get, but at least a gift card lets people pick their own gift…

I see they did put up a tree. Is that a cord coming out of Dads card?

I wonder how Luann gets all the dots on her pajamas to line up perfectly like that?

The fun thing is that ‘Luann Againn’ is on a similar arc. Today, Luann is thanking Brad for the mug he gave her, complete with a nasty slogan on it. A few days ago, Frank gave Nancy a very sexy nightie (sounds familiar… )

One of the best gift cards I’ve ever gotten is one for a movie theater, since I like going to the movies. Of course, a gift card to my favorite restaurant is even better. :)

No telling who drew Nancy’s name, or whether they also gave her a gift card.

Is it a gift card for dinner at the Fuse? How cheap!

Aw, they really wanted some junk they would never use that their children would have to carry to the rented dumpster when they die.

@JPuzzleWhiz: Just thought I’d offer a contrasting comment to yours from yesterday about not correcting other’s spelling and grammar. I know different people have different feelings on the matter.

But FYI – On one hand, I pride myself in taking the trouble to be virtually perfect on spelling, grammar, and usage. But on the other hand, I do rarely blow it.

And I’m more than happy for anyone on here to correct me. I’m not annoyed by it. It keeps me on my toes, and reduces the chance that I’ll make the same error again.

I don’t correct everyone’s errors that I notice, but am more likely to if the error suggests a humorous alternative interpretation. That’s what started the discussion yesterday. I thought that “celibrate” could mean “celebrate by yourself”. So I called it.

Poor dad. Even when given a gift card there’s always a string attached… ;-)

Gift cards, just like money with restrictions! How convenient!

One of the gifts we gave my autistic 19 yr old was two gift cards, for iTunes and Google Play. He was ecstatic.

So, were is Nancy’s gift?

I thought Prud was living in Brads old room or has she moved out already

I prefer cash. That way I can go were I want.

There are gift cards you can use anywhere. They’re usually marked with one of the credit card logos. That’s what I prefer.

I’ve only used gift cards for people needing financial help, so they can apply it toward things they need. Otherwise it’s a lazy person’s way out.

Several years ago, I gave my brother a $50 gift card to Best Buy. And he got me a $50 gift card to Best Buy. And we decided that this was stupid, and we haven’t exchanged gifts since. It’s really much nicer that way.

How do you pull names for a “gift exchange” with an odd number of people?

Isn’t it disappointing when the first person to open a gift reveals what everyone else is getting? (You know the envelopes are from different folks ‘cause the hand writing’s different.) Who’s name did puddles pull?

Wow. A DeGroot Holiday WITHOUT Old Smiley.

It’s the “Miracle of CHRISTMAS” I tell Ya!

Money is the perfect gift!

@MISTERDANTES: I was going to respond to your post, then I saw that STEPHENSTEVE had already answered it.

Pulling names for gifts doesn’t work well. Usually different age groups makes it dificult to buy a good gift.

I live 1250 miles from my family, and have had years of spending $$$$$$ on actual gifts that the nieces and nephews didn’t like, plus the joy of spending $$$$$ on shipping. Now, other than a few humorous but meaningful gifts, I send them all gift cards, to places I know they will use them. My husband in in charge of his relatives here, and they got cash this year, because …..cash.

I live 1250 miles from my family, and have had years of spending $$$$$$ on actual gifts that the nieces and nephews didn’t like, plus the joy of spending $$$$$ on shipping. Now, other than a few humorous but meaningful gifts, I send them all gift cards, to places I know they will use them. My husband in in charge of his relatives here, and they got cash this year, because …..cash.

As Tom Lehrer once sang …

♫ “Sentiment will not endear it …

… what’s important is the price.” ♫

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=z2Bw2ZeQcHw

As Tom Lehrer once sang …

♫ “Sentiment will not endear it …

… what’s important is the price.” ♫

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=z2Bw2ZeQcHw

note that Luann’s and Frank’s (“DAD”) are in printed letters, where Brad’s and Toni’s are in cursive. Could this be a subtle clue as to female vs. male origins?

I think gift cards are a great idea. Interestingly sometimes the gifted forget to use them, but then remember the old days when a big deal was made about returning gifts people did not want. Same human nature tendency. Really the gift once made is in the hands of the gifted, the gifter has the satisfaction of doing a good thing.

Gift cards are just fine. When you buy for little kids a small inexpensive gift that gets played with for a few hours isn’t a big loss. They enjoy getting the gift and opening it. Adults are different. Unless I am certain that it’s the right size and color or is compatible with their current tablet/lap top, it’s a gift card.

I work in the IT department for a company that provides gift card services for various businesses. I can offer these insights related to previous comments.

Accountants have to deal with the liability of unused gift card balances, and seek to get unused balances of inactive cards off the books.

Laws regarding removing value from gift cards vary from state to state. Some states allow a periodic “non usage fee.” In some cases, we set up an all-at-once “expire balance to zero if not used in five years” plan. It’s up to our clients to be familiar with the laws in their state.

Some states declare unused balances of inactive cards to belong to that state, and we help those clients with identifying those cards, and writing off the balances.

And yes, there is a massive amount of money that is either left over (not used to zero), or never even used once.

I would rather have CASH to spend where I like

I know giving physical gifts is all about the thoughtfulness but often than not, they are useless and unfavorable. I rather gift cards to get what I want, need, or whatever. Useless gifts end up in goodwill stores or get re-gifted. Gift card usually guarantees your money is well spent.

My family just tells each other what we want, and often are with them when they buy it. But we forget what is in each package by the time Christmas arrives. I’m always surprised and happy with my gifts.

Christmas: as sterile as an operating room.

Clearly, it runs in the family. Merry Christmas, huh?

It’s the sentiment that counts?

Plastic gifting makes for plastic sentiment?

Oh, well. Deal with it, DeGroots!

Arggggh; I attempted to erase the duplicates of my message and ended up erasing them all. Essentially I said that Frank ad Nancy are busy with the Fuse; Luann and Brad are grown up and should stop expecting gifts. Maybe next year there will be no gift cards and everyone can just relax and enjoy each other’s company. Tradition is hard to kick though.

whatever that is Luann is wearing, I just don’t see it as “her”.

This is why online wish lists come in handy. Plenty of online retailers will let you make a list of things you’d like, and give you a link you can send friends & family so they can see what you might want.

I give my adult children ca$h in a card (and something in a giftwrapped box). They always appreciate getting cash. It helps them pay for their checked luggage fees when flying home again. Their present to me, is to come for a Christmas visit in the first place.

I can’t help wondering – what is on the other side of those unopened envelopes that everyone is staring at in dumbfounded consternation?

Gift cards are the best. You pick what you want, waste not want not.

Then you ask Brad what Toni likes. One commenter did mention distance as a factor, but many online retailers allow for “gift” options, including wrapping, a card, a gift receipt, etc.