Redeeming points - how do you choose?

Been going through the process of redeeming Flyby points and credit card rewards points (dumping the CC so need to spend the points). Always have a tough time of it as I toss up between what is needed and what is wanted.

Has worked well in the past, managed to score a decent Wusthorf knife and carving knife, both needed and wanted. Other times I have just kind of gone with a gift card or cash back to the card.

This time around I decided to go for what I want as opposed to need. So I have a 5-1 cooker on the way and a curling wand. :p

So how do you decide and what type of things have you gotten?

Over years we have got:
A juicer
Handivac wet dry
Dinner voucher for Tram restaurant
Myer vouchers
Bunnings voucher
Harvey norman vouchers

So yep vouchers tend to be what we get but generally when we are going to be buying something anyway eg DH got harvey norman ones and used for Ipad and we used bunnings to get a high pressure cleaner.

Usually vouchers we go for. I usually can't find anything I need or really want.

I've only ever cashed it in for giftcards - I find them most beneficial.

Almost always turn into Caltex gift cards, reasoning being we will always need petrol, whereas other gift cards e.g Toys R Us(our CC doesn't do Coles or Woolies ones or would get those) can mean end up getting stuff because have got the card, and I try to limit amount of stuff we buy as haven't got room etc.

I always get David jones vouchers, because I see it as a luxury I wouldn't ordinarily spend. I get new towels and sheets (on sale of course) beautiful kids clothes (to go with the other target ones lol) and makeup or perfume for me.

Fly buys - I tend to get coles gift cards

Credit card - We tend to see what we have in there whenever we plan to fly domestically. If there is enough points in there we will use them to fly one, or both, ways. If not, we will save them until next time :)

I only have flybuys - I get magazine subscriptions. lol

I have an everyday rewards voucher, that links to Qantas Frequent Flyer points. I don't fly, so wont be using them for that and quite often have looked at what to get to use my points on and can never decide. I like the idea of getting a gift card for a "luxury" place.

we either get gift cards ('cause then you can get items on sale! double win!) or movie vouchers - and then we use the movie vouchers for date night! The vouchers usually expire in max. 12 months, so 10 movie vouchers means we'll see 5 films together over the next year :)

gift cards can also come in handy for prezzies in a pinch.

just make sure you don't find a gift voucher in your wallet, that you then realise is expired ... not a win!

So wish there was a DJ's down this way, then I would certainly get those vouchers!