The one Christmas gift Baby Boomers love that other generations shun

With Christmas only a few months away many have already begun scrambling for ideas of what to buy their loved ones. It’s a difficult task that most dread for fear they will receive that unfortunate look of disappointment as the gift is opened.

But fear not, there is one very easy present idea that will apparently make the majority of Baby Boomer’s at least quite happy.

A new survey by finder.com.au has found the majority of seniors absolutely love receiving gift cards at Christmas time. In contrast, most of those from the younger generations aren’t a fan.

Of those surveyed, 65 per cent of Boomers said they’d love to receive a gift card, while just 58 per cent of Generation X respondents and 57 per cent of those in Generation Y said they would like to find the plastic card wrapped under the tree. 

Overall, 23 per cent of Aussies surveyed said they don’t like receiving gift cards at all. 

While gift cards are sometimes considered impersonal, Finder personal finance expert Kate Browne said in the end it’s really the thought that counts.

“We all have a friend or relative who is tricky to buy for, and while some find gift cards thoughtless or lazy, the reality is most Australians are happy to receive presents of any kind,” she said. “It is lovely to receive a gift that shows the giver really knows you, but it’s also great to walk into a store and buy exactly what you want.”

The survey of 2,011 respondents found a further 59 per cent of respondents said they would be happy with a gift card, while 18 per cent are on the fence, saying it depends on which store the voucher is for.

Read more: How Christmas stocking fillers have changed through the years

Perhaps not surprisingly, most women would be pleased to receive a gift card, with a mere 15 per cent turning their nose up at the present compared to men, who proved the most disinterested with 32 per cent disapproving of the idea.

All in all it depends on the person and where the gift card is for, because really it’s pointless giving someone who isn’t interested in home reservations a gift card for Bunnings. 

“If you do buy someone a gift card, make sure it’s from a store they regularly shop at so it doesn’t go to waste. Neither party wants to see the funds expire,” Browne said.

If you do find yourself on the receiving end of a gift card you’re convinced won’t be useful there are ways around it. Finder suggests swapping it with a friend, colleague, or relative, selling it, or buying someone else a gift with it.

Would you be happy to receive a gift card? Are they a present you regularly give to loved ones?