Gift Vouchers: Perfect Present Or Festive Fail?

Some eager beavers have already started and some less eager types (me) have yet to start.

Worse, it could remain this way for quite a long time. And then in a blind panic, I'll rush into town on Christmas Eve. I will battle my way through the sweaty, festive-jumpered crowd, with only one thought in my mind.

Gift vouchers.

It seems that every business sells them - supermarkets, beauty halls, salons, hardware shops. You name it, I can voucher it. But sometimes when my loved one opens their gift, I wonder if I can see a flash of disappointment in their eyes.

It's not like I haven't put ANY thought into it. Granny won't get a sports equipment voucher and my teenage brother won't get one for a cooking class. (Though there was once an unfortunate mix up with Dad and a waxing salon voucher but I quickly redistributed in the intended manner.)

But this year I am second guessing my scheme. Are gift vouchers the wonderful choice-giving presents I had previously presumed or are they actually very impersonal and, well, a bit of a letdown as a gift?

This year I'll be more organised. And I'll go shopping on December 23rd.

Are you a fan of the gift voucher? Which do you like to receive and are there any that make you want to throttle the giver with the curled ribbon? Tell us in the comments!