giving gift certificates as gifts?

[frenchy957]

Has anyone here ever given a restaurant.com gift certificate as a gift?  I am thinking of giving a $25 one since there are such good deals on them.  I have used a certificate myself and was very please, but I wasn't sure about giving it as a gift.  TIA!

[rebate100]

I have given my MIL and SIL gift certificates from there for a place that they go to all of the time - I just make sure to point out the limitations on them - like they cannot be used for alcohol, they have to spend $xx amount, etc.  They liked them, and it introduced them to resteraunt.com - now they buy themselves GC from there as well and save money. 

[beaker40]

I purchased two recently to give as stocking stuffers, I think they're a nice gift!

[ear]

I had very bad (and embarrassing) experiences doing that....but they were both from the same chain, Quaker Steak and Lube, who refused to accept them....one person got a certificate to another restaurant from restaurant.com, the other person did not.
I won't do again as a gift, just 'cause I was embarrassed and won't put myself in that position again....trying to save a buck is one thing, having the person be refused when they go to use the gift is another.

[kittylady65]

HeyButler.com and Mimi Vanderhaven.com have dining deals that are pretty good..I have bought them many times there for myself and also for gifts...they are great for gifts because they are good for a full year.

Watch what areas they are in and try to get certificates for places that are close to the person that is going to receive the gc.    I have never had any problems with any of the ones that I have bought.

[love4wineohio]

I have only given them to my parents or in-laws.  They all had no problems using them.  But I too would be worried about giving them to someone not so close.

[hoppypa]

I have only given them to my parents or in-laws.  They all had no problems using them.  But I too would be worried about giving them to someone not so close.

I agree with that - there are so many little "dos and don'ts" with these that you have to be careful - they are way more work than a standard gift card -

[frenchy957]

Thanks for all the replies.  I was going to give them to my sisters.  We do a version of Oprah's "favorite things" for Christmas.  It's so much fun!

[neecey]

Thanks for all the replies.  I was going to give them to my sisters.  We do a version of Oprah's "favorite things" for Christmas.  It's so much fun!

That is such a great a idea...and fun too!!!