Is it weird to give away unused gift cards in a parking lot?

[Anonymous]

I won a $100 gift card to a semi-upscale Italian restaurant about a year ago, but just found it buried in a junk drawer. I checked the status, and it's still valid.

The problem is, we won’t use it. We have young kids, so date nights are rare, and even if we did have the chance, we wouldn’t pick this place because Italian food isn’t our favorite. Plus, they only do dine-in (no takeout) and the value isn’t even close to enough for two meals, so regifting it feels a bit odd.

Would it be super weird to just hand it off to someone the next time I’m in the area? Like, give it to someone in the parking lot who looks like they’re heading in? If not, what’s the best way to approach someone without making it awkward or shady? I’m headed that way tomorrow.

Thanks in advance for any ideas!

[Anonymous]

That’s… weird. Especially at an upscale place. I’d feel insulted and equally embarrassed to use a gift card, even if I recognize that’s irrational.

[Anonymous]

I’d give it away on your neighborhood buy nothing page. I agree I’d be creeped out if someone gave me a gift card in the parking lot, it feels like a scam. Even if it’s well intentioned. I’d be looking over my shoulder waiting for them to come back and ask for “just 20 dollars back from the gift card if you don’t mind?”

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’d give it away on your neighborhood buy nothing page. I agree I’d be creeped out if someone gave me a gift card in the parking lot, it feels like a scam. Even if it’s well intentioned. I’d be looking over my shoulder waiting for them to come back and ask for “just 20 dollars back from the gift card if you don’t mind?”

I should have mentioned that I won it at our neighborhood Christmas party!

[Anonymous]

If it's in the same metro area you live, I would offer it on your local Facebook buy nothing group.

[Anonymous]

You don't have a friend you can hand it off to, not as a gift but as a "hey do you want this"?

I would assume a stranger handing me a $100 gift card was scamming me in some way. But I have been happy to take gift cards from friends who won't use them (e.g., vegetarians who ended up with a card to a seafood place) even if it wouldn't cover a whole meal.

[Anonymous]

I think it's nice of you. Don't judge it and don't buy into silly judgment. What a nice thing to do.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If it's in the same metro area you live, I would offer it on your local Facebook buy nothing group.

It is, and I’ve considered that, but I won it at our neighborhood Christmas party and I’m afraid of offending the person who gave it, should they see me giving it away! Maybe enough time has passed?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’d give it away on your neighborhood buy nothing page. I agree I’d be creeped out if someone gave me a gift card in the parking lot, it feels like a scam. Even if it’s well intentioned. I’d be looking over my shoulder waiting for them to come back and ask for “just 20 dollars back from the gift card if you don’t mind?”

I should have mentioned that I won it at our neighborhood Christmas party!

"Hi neighbor who I often see in person, I won this at the party but I've gone a year without using it and I'm afraid it'll go to waste. Would you take it off my hands?"

[Anonymous]

Is where you work close enough that you could give it away there?
Give it to your local veterinarian?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You don't have a friend you can hand it off to, not as a gift but as a "hey do you want this"?

I would assume a stranger handing me a $100 gift card was scamming me in some way. But I have been happy to take gift cards from friends who won't use them (e.g., vegetarians who ended up with a card to a seafood place) even if it wouldn't cover a whole meal.

It’s a loaded gift, in a way, because it’s nearly $100 a person to eat here, and it feels like it becomes a burden more than a gift. I don’t want a friend or anyone I care about to feel the way I’m feeling about it right now, if that makes sense.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’d give it away on your neighborhood buy nothing page. I agree I’d be creeped out if someone gave me a gift card in the parking lot, it feels like a scam. Even if it’s well intentioned. I’d be looking over my shoulder waiting for them to come back and ask for “just 20 dollars back from the gift card if you don’t mind?”

I should have mentioned that I won it at our neighborhood Christmas party!

"Hi neighbor who I often see in person, I won this at the party but I've gone a year without using it and I'm afraid it'll go to waste. Would you take it off my hands?"

Yeah, just offer it to a neighbor in real life to not offend the original giver.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You don't have a friend you can hand it off to, not as a gift but as a "hey do you want this"?

I would assume a stranger handing me a $100 gift card was scamming me in some way. But I have been happy to take gift cards from friends who won't use them (e.g., vegetarians who ended up with a card to a seafood place) even if it wouldn't cover a whole meal.

It’s a loaded gift, in a way, because it’s nearly $100 a person to eat here, and it feels like it becomes a burden more than a gift. I don’t want a friend or anyone I care about to feel the way I’m feeling about it right now, if that makes sense.

I mean this gently - the way you are feeling is not normal.
Plenty of people would use a gift card to cover half of a fancy meal.

[Anonymous]

Alternatively if you have anyone who occasionally works for you (housecleaner, handymen, baby sitter, etc.) you could offer it to them and but as a gift, but "hey I won this but don't love Italian. Would you or anyone you know like to use it?"

Or offer it up to your school the next time there's some kind of raffle or a staff door prize.

[Anonymous]

You can also just throw it out. That hurts no one.
You seem to feel this card is a burden you wouldn't place on your friends so why do you want to do that to a stranger?