This past weekend I was with a group of friends that celebrate the holidays together.  The discussion about logistics quickly turned to a discussion about specific gifts.

One friend insisted that the rules for gifting change this year to specifically exclude gift cards.  Gift cards, she argued, are an "easy out", a lazy gift that does not require any thought.  So, with the new rules, let the shopping begin!!  Definitetly a much harder project.

What do you think about giving a gift card as a holiday present?  Is a gift card a lazy gift that should be avoided?  Or, a perfectly approprirate expression of appreciation at the holidays?