Gonna give a gift card this year? Photo: angelamaphone, Flickr
Anyway. Gift cards. They're beautiful things when done right, and this year, I just may give in and gift card it as I've stumbled upon a few great resources that I can't possibly pass up:
- Hate buying gift cards because the wrapping job is boring? Think again! These creative gift card wrapping ideas are almost as lovely as the gift card itself. Almost.
- Like any gift, giving a gift card has its own set of rules. Read up on gift card etiquette to ensure you're following protocol!
- Cash it in. If you've received a gift card that you can't bear to re-gift but will never use, cash it in through a site like SwapAGift.com, which offers up to 70% cash for your remaining gift card balances. Use your cash to purchase a gift card for someone else!
- Want a discount on your gift cards (who doesn't?). Visit GiftCardGranny.com for significantly discounted gift cards on select retailers. Some are up to 55% off, so you're guaranteed a great deal.
With tips like that, who wouldn't gift a gift card? Perhaps I'm a changed woman!
cflotsofluck,11-22-2009, 6:02PM
I really believe in gift cards!! Once I got a gift card for 125 dollars for a friend of mine for her birthday!! I took one of her pictures that she had taken of her favorite cat in a really cute pose!! I brought it to Walmart and they transfered the picture to a gift card and then they have a machine where you can put any slogan at the bottom of the card. I put......."Who's Your Daddy?" at the bottom. It was so cute because the pose he was in, looked like he was actually asking that question!! My friend LOVED IT!! And even after the card runs out of money, she still had that funny picture to carry around in her wallet!!!
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ycav4424,11-22-2009, 8:08PM
Another season where people go in debt because of all of the hype and tradition. Except for the kids, people should just say have a merry and a happy then go on with their lives. It's just another time to make people feel bad if they don't spend on someone.
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FRENCHIE,11-22-2009, 8:19PM
PERSONALLY, WHAT WITH ALL MANNER OF RETAILERS GOING BELLY-UP, YOU COULDN'T SELL ME A GIFT CARD AT ANY PRICE. IMAGINE GIVING GRANDMA A GIFT CARD & THE STORE CLOSING 3 DAYS AFTER CHRISTMAS. GRANNY DON'T GET JACK, YOU GOT TOOK,& BASICALLY NOTHING'S GONNA HAPPEN TO THE COMPANY THAT SOLD YOU THE WORTHLESS PIECE OF PLASTIC.NOPE, I THINK AFTER NUMEROUS REPORTS OF THIS HAPPENING LAST YEAR, YOU'D BE A DAMN FOOL TO BUY GIFT CARDS EVER AGAIN...I KNOW THEY'RE OFF MY GIVING LIST- PERMANENTLY!!!
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bighit2001,11-22-2009, 8:59PM
If you happen to live in the state of California, it is required by state law that if you request a gift card cashed out, that company must cash out your gift card. They may not be able to hand you the card balance right there, they might mail you a corporate check in the card amount. But, they are required to cash them out. :-)
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Magnum,11-23-2009, 9:22PM
Say what you will about California, but we have the strongest consumer protection laws in the country. Started with Jerry Brown when he was Governor in 1975.
opportunist,11-23-2009, 12:35AM
Interesting so I can buy gift cards for 55% and sell those for 70%? If I automate that process I can retire immediately ... or should I read the 'up to' part of 70% a little bit more carefully?
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CG,11-23-2009, 4:15AM
I like receiving gift cards! Actually I always ask that anyone who is getting me a gift donate a toy for tots or food for the animal shelter instead but they never do:( (I do tho!) And then I use their gift cards to purchase their gifts during the year-saves me alot of $! The only exception is hubby and we long ago decided that a single simple gift under the tree is perfect and we plan something special to do together as our gift! Memories of special times spent together are so much nicer than anything you can buy at a store!
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Candy,11-23-2009, 4:28AM
So true! And I think even most parents go overboard (and in debt!) to satisfy their child's every wish! Instead 1 or 2 truly desired gifts should be enough and personally I think every parent should have their children pick out a gift for a poor child (Toys for Tots or another children's charity) and bring them to drop it off. It will teach them to be giving adults:) And I agree also that people feel bad when they don't have $ to spend and that's sad-that's not what the holiday's are supposed to be about! Personally my favorite gifts have always been handmade-it's so nice when someone takes the time to make you something-it means so much more:) Anyone can grab anything off the shelve at a store-handmade is priceless!!!
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