I want cash since I can buy whatever I want (dildos, cocaine, whatever) or I can pay off debt, which is huge for my situation. Buying something for me is pointless as if I wanted it and thought it was a decent price, I’d have bought it already myself. But giving me some financial wiggle-room and thereby easing the stress on me is a huge benefit.

And gc come with lots of issues - initial fee for purchase, expiration dates, limited to one store / some stores don’t take “universal” visa/mc gc, I can’t go to the bank and deposit a gc. It forces me to either work around it (above, additional fees) or purchase something that I otherwise would not. It literally forces people to make poor financial decisions. That’s not a gift, that’s a burden.

It sounds like you’re in a good position financially, and that’s great. But not all of us are. If someone gave me a certificate for a Disney vacation or the like, I’d actually beat them. I need help, not belittling. Cash works for those in all situations.