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So, you received a gift card for the holidays? Happy shopping!
Not too long ago, we thought gift cards were impersonal in nature, because the giver didn't put much thought into the gift. Not any more. Since the pandemic, we have become accustomed to online shopping. We simply prefer to do our own shopping; thank you! Gift cards can be thoughtful gifts for several reasons:
- More people are adopting a minimalist lifestyle to increase savings. They prefer to buy necessities over luxury items, and gift cards can help them achieve that.
- By using gift cards to make purchases, you can save your cash for practical purposes like rent, bills or even a well-deserved vacation.
- Tastes and preferences change over time. A gift that was appealing in October may no longer fill the need by December. A prepaid or store card allows you to purchase a product when needed.
- It is a fact that people return Christmas and holiday gifts in exchange for something they really want. If in doubt, check out the customer service lines at the stores right after the holidays. Gift cards will get spent, not returned.
Now that we've established that gift cards are essential, how do we spend them wisely? Here are a few tips:
- First, know the type of gift card you have and the amount on it. Some cards may only be used in a brick and mortar store. Others can be used for online shopping after they have been activated for that purpose. Do you have a Visa or Mastercard Gift card? Some merchants accept both or prefer one over the other.
- With a prepaid Visa or Mastercard, you can purchase a specialty gift card like Amazon or App Store & iTunes.
- Be sure to leave some wiggle room on your card when you’re visiting a restaurant. When you use a Visa or Mastercard debit card at a restaurant, the merchant may hold an additional amount. This hold amount usually falls off after a few days. For instance, if your card limit is $50, try not to exceed a $40 meal, unless you plan to pay the balance with a different method.
- Next, plan your purchase. It is tempting to go impulse shopping once you receive that gift card. You will derive the best satisfaction from your gift only when you use it to meet a need. Start by making a list of things you need or desire to have. Then, go down the list to see which item(s) you can afford with the amount on the gift card. If the need isn't urgent, you may want to shop around for the best deal or wait until a sale happens. Remember, you want to get the best bang for your plastic bucks.
- However, if you‘ve got all that you need but just have that urge to splurge right away, then feel free to browse through our recommendations for ideas.
- Wait until the post-Christmas or holiday sale.
- Take advantage of any shopper’s rewards and cash back or bonus programs.
For the Sports Parent or Enthusiast: That game will go on regardless of the temps outside. Here are a few items to keep you warm while you cheer for your favorite player or team:
- Warm those hands with the perfect Hand warmers or a Rechargeable Hand Warmer for double-sided heating.
- Take a warm drink with you and keep it hot with a Yeti Rambler Mug - vacuum insulated, stainless steel with MagSlider lid to prevent the heat or cold from escaping. When the weather turns hot, you can take a cold drink with you in this versatile mug.
- Pamper yourself with this super soft Waitu Wearable Blanket Sweatshirt.
The Busy Parent Who’s Always on the Go: A healthy snack stash that you can always have on hand. We hardly think of these things until we’re minutes away from the soccer game.
The Music Lover: Digital media that can be downloaded to your device and headphones to give you a rich, immersive experience.
The Gamer: Digital video games are trending. With digital content, you own your games for life. You don't have to deal with lost or damaged storage media like discs and SD cards. You may also use your prepaid Visa cards to purchase Xbox, Roblox, Playstation, Nintendo gift cards.
The Foodie - This is your opportunity to experience a tasty cuisine at a new restaurant. You may also want to enjoy a meal at your favorite restaurant. With a store card, you can purchase ingredients to try out that new recipe you’ve been eyeing and a refreshing beverage.
The Hobbyist - The perfect opportunity to try out a new hobby without spending your wages.
The Philanthropist - You may pass the gift card to someone who could really use it. It is true what they say, that "it is more blessed to give than to receive." The feeling you get from watching somebody blessed is enough gift in itself.
If you do not fall into one of the above categories, no worries. Your gift card could still be used on a plethora of necessities. Here are a few ideas of products that may come in pretty handy:
Batteries are always good items to have on hand. Buy a few whenever you can find them on sale and keep them close by. If your TV remote quits working in the middle of your favorite live show, that is not the time to run to search for batteries.
AirTags are for the Apple user who tends to misplace small items like keys or bags. Just attach an AirTag to the often misplaced item and you can find it easily when needed.
An extra mobile device charger or power bank can really save the day if your device runs out of juice. Just place the extra charger in your car, purse, school, work place or any place you frequently use your device outside of the home.
Whatever you decide to do with your gift card, we hope it would be something that brings you lasting satisfaction. Happy Holidays!