It's the fifteenth of December and you still have three names without a present. Made-to-order items won't arrive in time, delivery is uncertain and you don't fancy trawling the shops. A gift voucher is the most sensible solution in this situation – it just pays to know how to give it so it doesn't look like an excuse.
When a voucher makes sense
When you don't know their taste. The most common and most legitimate reason. For someone whose style you aren't sure about, a voucher is more honest than guessing – the recipient chooses something they'll actually use, instead of politely saying thank you and putting the gift away in a cupboard.
When size or dimensions matter. Jewellery with a fixed size, items for a specific space, accessories that have to match something at home. Guessing is tricky here, and a voucher solves the problem before it arises.
When the recipient enjoys choosing. For many people, choosing is part of the pleasure. A voucher doesn't take that away – it adds to it. For someone who chooses carefully and takes their time, a finished present can actually get in the way.
When you're running out of time. A legitimate reason – just don't admit it on the accompanying card. A voucher can do what handmade production can't: be available immediately.
🎁 A solution you can still manage now. Wooden gift vouchers and greeting cards from a sheltered workshop – packaging that looks like a gift.
Browse vouchers and cardsWhen it doesn't work
It's worth looking at the other side too. Don't give vouchers to small children. For a pre-schooler it's a piece of paper with nothing in it – they need something they can hold. If you want to let the child choose, buy a small item and save the choice of a bigger present for a trip to the shop together.
The second situation is relationships where the gift really matters. For a partner, parent or close friend, a voucher can come across as a lack of interest – not because it's bad, but because you're expected to know the person. If you don't know what to get, ask someone close to them before reaching for a voucher.
And third: don't give the same person a voucher several years in a row. Once it's a practical solution; the third time it looks as though you've given up.
How to give it
This is where it's decided whether a voucher comes across as a thoughtful gift or a rescue. Three things make the difference.
Packaging. A voucher printed on office paper makes a different impression from one in a wooden box. Our vouchers are themselves made of wood, so packaging and gift merge into one – but it's still worth adding a box or at least tying it with string.
An explanation. One sentence on why you chose a voucher. "I know you like choosing jewellery yourself, so this way it's exactly to your taste" works brilliantly. "I didn't manage to buy anything" works less well. Write it by hand on a card or in a wooden greeting card.
A hint in the form of a small extra. The strongest trick of all. Add a small item to the voucher that suggests a direction – a wooden spoon with a voucher for kitchenware, a small ornament with a voucher for decorations. The recipient has something to unwrap and the voucher gets context.
A tip that works every time: If you wanted to give a specific item and just won't get it in time, print a photo of it and enclose it with the voucher, with a note that it will arrive after the holidays. The recipient knows what they're getting, and you don't have to rush out and buy something else. With handmade items made to order, this is more honest than improvising.
What to watch out for
Check where the voucher can be redeemed. This is the most important point of the whole article. According to the product description, our wooden vouchers are intended for AMADEA's physical shops. Before buying, please check the current terms of the specific voucher – so you know exactly where the recipient can use it and they don't have to find out for themselves.
Check the validity. Vouchers usually have a limited period during which they can be used. You'll find the validity terms with the specific product. If you're giving a voucher to someone who won't get round to shopping for several months, it's a good idea to point this out – nothing is worse than an expired voucher.
Choose a suitable value. Vouchers are available in several denominations, which you'll find with the product. Choose one that allows the recipient to genuinely pick something – too low an amount puts them in a position where they have to top up, which turns the gift into more of a discount.
And a small thing that's often forgotten: let the recipient know where the voucher can be redeemed. There's nothing more awkward than holding a voucher and not knowing whether it's valid online, in a shop or both. Just write it in the dedication.
A voucher or something else?
| Situation | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| You don't know the recipient's taste | Voucher – the ideal case |
| Size or dimensions matter | Voucher – no risk |
| The recipient enjoys choosing | Voucher – choosing is part of the pleasure |
| A small child | Better a tangible gift |
| A partner or someone close | Rather a specific item, even a small one |
| You wanted a specific piece but are running out of time | Voucher plus a photo of what's coming |
What you can still manage
A voucher isn't the only last-minute option. If you're near one of our shops, personal collection bypasses the courier entirely and you choose from what is physically available there.
Stock items without personalisation are also dispatched faster than engraved products. We've listed the specific dates in our news item on Christmas delivery deadlines – take a look there before you order.
A final tip: if you're giving vouchers to several people in the family, consider different values depending on what they're meant to buy. The same amount for everyone feels administrative; values tailored to the intention feel more personal.
From our workshop
Frequently asked questions
Isn't a gift voucher a sign of laziness?
It depends on how you give it. A voucher printed on paper ten minutes before Christmas dinner really does look like a last-minute rescue. A voucher in wooden packaging with a dedication and an explanation of why you chose it makes a completely different impression.
Where can an AMADEA gift voucher be redeemed?
According to the product description, our wooden gift vouchers are intended for AMADEA's physical shops. Before buying, please check the current terms of the specific voucher, or ask our customer support.
Who is a voucher best suited to?
People whose taste or size you can't estimate, and those who like to choose for themselves. With small children, on the other hand, a voucher doesn't work – they need something tangible.
How do I give a voucher so it doesn't feel empty?
Put it in a wooden box or add a small gift that hints at what it's for. With a voucher for kitchenware, add a wooden spoon, for example. The recipient has something to unwrap and the voucher gets context.
How long is a voucher valid?
Validity may vary between vouchers, so you'll always find it with the specific product. If you're giving a voucher to someone who won't get round to shopping for several months, let them know – an expired voucher is an unnecessary disappointment.
What vouchers do you offer?
We offer wooden gift vouchers in several denominations, along with wooden greeting cards handmade from Czech wood. You'll find the current values and redemption terms directly with the products.
🌳 You can still make it. Wooden vouchers, greeting cards and boxes from a sheltered workshop – a gift you can give even at the last minute.
Go to vouchers and cardsAuthor: Martin Portych – specialist in wooden products, gift advice and shop content
Editorial policy: Our content is based on the day-to-day practice of the AMADEA shop, the real needs of our customers and a commitment to clear, useful and trustworthy information.