Why gift cards

They are easy to wrap. Did you know that people buy 4 million pounds of wrapping paper each year? The nice thing about gift cards is they can be given in small containers that can be reused.

It is more economical for you. Many stores give incentives during the holidays for gift card purchases. Some give smaller gift cards with a larger purchase.

For example, Harrisburg Magazine sells discounted gift cards. It is more economical for the other person. Everyone knows that stores have huge sales after Christmas. Well, by giving a gift card, you can help the person get more for the money because they might find it on sale. Well, if you are concerned that could be the case then give them their gift a few days early. They are my favorite gift — to give and to receive.

Gift cards make great presents for a number of reasons. Here are five reasons gift cards are the perfect gifts:. You can save money by giving discounted gift cards. This worked very well with restaurants. The idea is to get them in the door. Look for discounted gift cards and deals from reputable sites. Gift cards are flexible for the recipient, allowing him or her to choose what to buy. It takes away some of the anxiety associated with finding just the right gift.

That flexibility also means that the recipient can choose an experience instead of a thing. Cash is more flexible, of course, but it is sometimes considered a little crass. If you want to offer flexibility without giving actual cash, a gift card is a good choice. Of course, many people decry gift cards because they are so general. While getting a prepaid debit card or general gift card is very flexible, some people think they are impersonal. Gift cards are perfect because they combine the flexibility of cash with the personalization that comes with a specific store.

You can be thoughtful and offer a flexible gift at the same time. How do companies utilize gift cards in their incentive programs? It is viewed as more socially acceptable to discuss True Gift Perception — Gift cards are not viewed as a part of a compensation plan. Cash is quickly viewed as compensation and disappears into the family budgeting. Universal benefits — Gift cards combine the benefits of merchandize with the benefits of cash. People prefer to have the choice on how to use their awards.

But do those numbers show that giving a gift card is a bad idea? Not really. Not when you consider how many people receive gifts that they never wear, use, display, play or that they exchange for something else. To help sort it out, take a look at the pros and cons of gift card giving. Today, there is no reason for someone to get stuck with an unwanted gift card.

That's because there are services that will buy unwanted gift cards for a portion of a card's value. The services determine the amount to be paid based on the popularity of the card that is being sold and both sites sell gift cards at a discount. This is a good option for people who often shop at the same store and want to maximize their savings. Credit card companies reward customers with points based on how much they charge to their accounts.

These points can then be used to purchase gift certificates to retail stores, restaurants, and also for local services. Swagbucks , for example, offers customers the opportunity to earn points by watching short advertisements, completing surveys, or visiting websites.

These points can then be used to buy gift certificates.