I consider myself to be a good gift giver – taking into account the gift recipient’s interests, hobbies, likes and dislikes, observing their style and taste in clothes or homewares, listening closely when they talk about a book they’re dying to read or a play they would love to see, and being creative when buying for that friend who seems to have everything – but even I have got it wrong!!  Yes, I know she loves Country Road, I know she likes dark colour, and completes every outfit with a cardigan, but I did not realise that she has an real issue with large buttons and no pockets!!  So after spending a whole afternoon in the store comparing the various styles of dark grey cardigans, I think she will be exchanging my gift, how disappointing.   If only I had bought her a Country Road gift voucher, which says “I know you really like this store, so I thought you could choose something you like, in the correct size, something you don’t already have too much of, something you really need, or something you want”.

Some people say the a gift voucher is a cop out.  It is only a cop out if you buy your 100 year old grandmother a Bunnings gift voucher. It is NOT a cop out to buy your book loving friend a gift voucher from a book store;  your girl friend a gift voucher for a pamper session if she likes having her back rubbed;  your hard working dad a gift voucher for a travel experience;  your technology loving teenage nephew a voucher from an electronics stores…you get the drift.  Now what a thoughtful and useful present a gift voucher is!!