There is a hidden often untalked about use for gift cards: they can be a drop in replacement for money when there's no other way to send funds to people (because maybe they're not signed up to Paypal or Venmo or whatever). So I can send my piano teacher a $50 dollar Amazon gift card via email for piano lessons.

Some people are able to find gifts that are so appropriate and well thought out that you question why you never gave them to yourself. They are the best. For me gift cards are not that thing.

Agreed, Amazon or Walmart gift cards are something your boss gives you for a job well done reward. A personal friend should not. A casual acquaintance who doesn't know you that well might opt for this type of gift but my real question would be if they don't know you that well why are they compelled to give you a gift?