Grocery Gift Card for an Xmas Gift?

Updated on December 16, 2012
C.M. asks from Bartlett, IL
19 answers

My uncles are pretty poor, they live on state aid. I want to send them a Christmas gift, and I was thinking about a grocery store gift card, which I think they could really use. They could buy special things to eat that they normally couldn't.

That being said, I sometimes think an actual gift, something that is purely for enjoyment, also makes a good gift. People who are poor often just get the necessities and so having a gift for fun is great too. I could get them a video game (they have our old Playstation 2, so I'd have to find a good used video game).

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So What Happened?

Good ideas, I will go with a Walmart card. Then they can get food or whatever they want.

I know my uncles don't have a lot of money, even though they live alone and together (since my grandma died) they do struggle a bit. My parents have had to help them in the years following my grandma's death because they didn't know how to take care of themselves (one is mentally slow and the other is socially fearful). We've done our best to keep them out of an institution or "home" because they CAN take care of themselves.

I will send them some homemade goodies along with the gift card!

Featured Answers

S.G.

answers from Grand Forks on

If you get a card for someplace like Target, WalMart or Costco that sells groceries as well as video games etc, they can choose how they wish to spend it.

8 moms found this helpful
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T.M.

answers from Miami on

I just spent over $400 on groceries. I would LOVE a gift card for my grocery shopping! Great idea!

2 moms found this helpful

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☆.A.

answers from Pittsburgh on

I'd try to do both. So running for necessities and something for fun!

6 moms found this helpful
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G.H.

answers from Chicago on

Get a Walmart giftcard, this way they get more bang and more options other than just food.

4 moms found this helpful
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F.C.

answers from Tampa on

If you can afford it - do both

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P.G.

answers from Dallas on

Perhaps hit the dollar store and make a little gift basket that includes the card.

3 moms found this helpful

R.R.

answers from Los Angeles on

Ditto Sherri G...Target, Walmart or Costco and they have the best of everything to choose from. Very thoughtful gift idea on your part :)

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P.K.

answers from New York on

Target or Walmart. They get get some food and maybe something that they have been wanting.

2 moms found this helpful
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A.V.

answers from Washington DC on

I would give it to them. You might specify "to choose your own favorite treats" or something. Someplace like WalMart or Target would allow them to get more things than just food.

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S.H.

answers from Honolulu on

Grocery gift card
Gas gift card
a restaurant gift card.
All 3.

2 moms found this helpful
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T.V.

answers from San Francisco on

Get them an AMX gift card and they can decide what to get. and where ever they want to go. Your a good niece.

Blessings.....

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J.L.

answers from Los Angeles on

I saw this on pinterest and thought it was so fun. Get a large box and a bag of balloons. put dollar bills (or another denomination) and notes and candy in the balloons and blow them up a little bit. Super cheap to send because it is mostly air. but it is also fun. Some small treats in the balloons are fun too. if they need help money is what they probably need and that is a fun way to send it. It might even be possible to squeeze a gift card in a balloon too!

2 moms found this helpful

A.M.

answers from Kansas City on

it's sweet that you want to help them, but with so little information, it almost seems possible to me that you "might" be being a bit judgmental as well - i am sure i am wrong. but at any rate, buying a "grocery" gift card because someone is "pretty poor" isn't the best message you want to give someone. the ladies are right, more tactful and truly in the holiday spirit to get a walmart or target (or visa or whatever) gift card, and let THEM decide.

1 mom found this helpful
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K.C.

answers from Los Angeles on

Can you bake something to send with the gift card? I think a grocery gift card is a great gift and would be very appreciated. But maybe you could send some homemade cookies with it. : )

1 mom found this helpful
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G.B.

answers from Oklahoma City on

Walmart. That is less specific and more appealing.

1 mom found this helpful
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K.G.

answers from San Diego on

I would always LOVE a grocery store gift card

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A.C.

answers from Boston on

I agree with Walmart and Target, as long as they are the superstores. As far as Costco or any other wholesalers, you usually need a membership. Without one a gift card would be useless.

1 mom found this helpful
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S.C.

answers from Des Moines on

My Dad and StepMom ALWAYS give us a grocery store gift card-- it's one of my favorite gifts!

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D..

answers from Miami on

You could do both - wrap them both together or separately and tie together with a big bow, that kind of thing.

I think you have a wonderful idea, truly.

Dawn

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