As a general rule, I like birthdays. I’m not one of those make-a-big-deal-out-of-it types, but getting a card in the mail from my dad is fun, and hearing from my college roommate on LinkedIn is fun, and getting a Starbucks card from my brother is fun. Low key, sure. It’s my birthday, and that’s what I like.

We’ve all joined enough points programs and logged into enough websites and prostituted our birth date to enough local sandwich shops for a dollar off a foot long. We all get barraged with Terrific Birthday Offer Special for You on Your Special Day!

But, something was different about this subject line:

You’ve got a gift from Your kid!! $25 GiftRocket Gift Card

A real gift — $25 — from someone I know — my (apparently anonymity-seeking) kid!

And it’s coming by ROCKET!

GiftRocket launched in 2010, and they have a simple yet elegant offering: send money. There are so many good things to say about GiftRocket that I decided to make a top 10 list:

10. It works. Through the process of redeeming my gift, I ran into nary a glitch. (Can’t speak for the giver side, but I’m sure it’s easy because I know “my kid” wouldn’t put up with nonsense.)

9. It’s flexible. The sender can name a way to spend the money, but the receiver isn’t tied in. (Your kid! sent you a gift! $25 suggested for use at Burger Up. )

8. It’s just personal enough (“Your kid!”, “Burger Up”), but doesn’t feel invasive.

7. It can be sent by email, or by paper. (Yes, paper mail still exists.) This means you can gift people all along the technology spectrum.

6. It’s environmentally friendly.

5. It’s not a gift card, so there’s no card to misplace or risk having stolen.

4. It’s supported by real people and a well-crafted website.

3. It’s quick. If you’re out of time and forgot your mom’s birthday (ummm…?), just log on and send.

2. It’s a good fit for any occasion and can be sent to anyone, anywhere, anytime.

And, 1. It’s a GIFT from a ROCKET. #nobrainer