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Choncé Maddox and her family.
Courtesy of Choncé Maddox
I find giving gift cards makes it easier to budget for the holidays without sacrificing meaning.
I can typically get gift cards at a discount, and I combine them with other gifts.
And I don’t buy gift cards for everyone — only the people I know would appreciate it.
I love the holidays, but I also love saving money. Sometimes, the two don’t complement each other that well. One way I like to save money on Christmas gifts is by purchasing gift cards for family and friends.
In the past, I felt like gift cards weren’t thoughtful or just an easy way to get out of getting someone a “real” gift. Then, I started receiving gift cards from people occasionally and found that I love this idea as a gift.
The holiday season is always the perfect time to buy gift cards on sale, which stretches my dollar even more. Here are a few reasons why I started buying more gift cards for Christmas gifts and how I simplify holiday shopping while staying within budget.
5 practical reasons I like to give gift cards
Some people may think gift cards are losing their charm, but I disagree. I like them because:
They’re easy to buy: You can get them online or in most major stores.You can send gift cards digitally: Don’t have someone’s address but want to surprise them? You can email them a digital gift card. All they need to do is add it to their shopping account for that retailer.No tedious wrapping or additional care needed: Need I say more?Gift cards are easy to win and regift: You can earn them by completing surveys online or using rewards programs.There are options for everyone: It really doesn’t matter where you shop, your hobbies and interests, or what you like to eat. There are gift card options that would make anyone happy.
Another reason why I like giving gift cards is that they’re easier to budget for. With all the targeted advertising and emails I receive, it’s super easy to go over budget trying to take advantage of a ‘sale’ or get the perfect gift for someone that they may not even want or need.
Gift cards make it easy to budget because I can set a fixed limit on how much I want to spend and still have tons of options in terms of the type of card to get.
I use a combination of gifts and gift cards to make presents meaningful
Gift cards can still be a very meaningful gift. I use the knowledge I have about a person and any memories we’ve shared to choose the perfect type of gift card. For example, last year, I gave my friend a gift card to a nice hotel since I know she enjoys staycations and would appreciate a mini-getaway, even if just for one night.
One year, for Christmas, I bought my husband a new wallet and filled it with gift cards to his favorite quick-service restaurants. I personally know how nice feels to treat myself to lunch or coffee one day with a gift card and avoid having to spend my own money.
Last year, I worked part-time as a copywriter for a small startup owned by a husband and wife team. My coworkers and I decided to gift the couple a basket full of gift cards to local restaurants for Christmas. Everyone pitched in so we were able to get tons of gift cards and it was a special present to the owners, because they love to check out new restaurants and try different foods.
I can get gift cards at a discount that stretches my budget further
I love to get gift cards from Amazon, Walmart, and Target at a discount thanks to holiday sales. Target has a great deal where you get a free Target gift card when you purchase around $100 worth of gift cards. Walmart also has discounted gift cards for popular retailers and restaurants, like buying a $25 gift card for $20. Choosing popular retailers and/or restaurants is a safe move if I’m getting a gift for someone like a teacher or my husband’s boss.
Black Friday and Cyber Monday are some of the best times to lock in these gift card deals. Sales tend to last all season long, though, and for year-round discounts, I like to check out sites like Raise or GiftDeals.
We still buy regular gifts and place the wrapped items under the tree each year. However, adding in gift cards where it makes sense has noticeably helped simplify my finances during this time.
I don’t buy gift cards for everyone
The truth is, most people want cash or gift cards for Christmas, but may not admit it out loud. However, this doesn’t mean that everyone wants a gift card. I wouldn’t buy one for my 4- and 5-year-old niece and nephew. Instead, I’d probably get them a toy, a book, or a cute pajama set.
Usually, I reserve gift cards for older kids or teens as well as adults in my life who could find it useful. I have a few younger siblings and once they reached the teen years, all they wanted was cash or a gift card so they could shop and buy what they wanted.
December 26 is also known as being a major retail discount day, so having a gift card comes in handy for any post-season shopping.
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