If you want to buy a baby voucher or gift card there are both positives and negatives. These include;
Positives
- Convenience — Buying and giving a voucher or card is easy and convenient. And you can use them for a number of occasions. Including as a present for a baby shower, gender reveal, newborn gift or 1st birthday present.
- Buy what they want — The person who is receiving the voucher is able to choose what they want. There may be items that were on the registry which weren’t purchased. So they can use the voucher to get what they need.
- Easy to use — A voucher or card is easy for the recipient to use. If it’s an online voucher they can shop from the comfort of their own home. If it’s for a brick-and-mortar store they can see and touch all the products on the shelf.
- Unsure of recipient taste — You may be unsure of what the recipient likes. Or don’t know them well enough to buy a physical gift. In this instance, a voucher is perfect.
- They already have everything — The parents-to-be might be celebrating a baby sprinkle for their 2nd or 3rd child. In this case, a voucher would be ideal as they already have lots of products and know what they need more of.
Negatives
- Easy to lose — Unfortunately gift cards and e-vouchers can be lost. And once misplaced they are impossible to use. E-vouchers may be a little easier to recover if you contact the place of sale.
- Expiry Date — All vouchers and cards will have an expiry date. These will vary from company to company so choose carefully. Once this expiry date has passed you will no longer be able to use your card.
- Store Specific — Most cards will be store specific so you will be limited in choice on what can be brought. There are exceptions and the Woolworths card is an example. Here you can shop for over 40 companies within their group and partners.
- Non-Refundable — As the buyer, you aren’t able to get a refund. And the recipient isn’t able to exchange this for money.
- Don’t like them — Some people just don’t like them. For one reason or another, they would prefer a gift.
- Impersonal — Giving money or a card can be seen as impersonal. It could appear as if you haven’t made an effort to find a gift the parents would like.