A Consumer Guideline for Giving Giftcards

Surge in Holiday Gift Card Popularity Meant Many Americans Chose Their Own Gifts

With the growing popularity of gift cards as holiday gifts -- overall sales will total $24.8 billion, up $6 billion from last year (1) -- many Americans were selecting their own gifts now that the holiday excitement is over.

As more than half of Americans have said they would like to receive a gift card this holiday season (1), Wal-Mart (NYSE:WMT) , the world's largest retailer, predicts that last year's gift card redemption trends will continue.

"With more than 127 million weekly shoppers, consumers have told us how they are likely to spend their gift cards this season and Wal-Mart has stocked its stores to meet their needs," said Steve Bratspies, Wal-Mart's vice president of marketing.

"Many shoppers will use their gift cards to purchase the big-ticket electronic items they wanted to find under the tree, such as video game consoles and HDTVs. Another group of gift card recipients will use their cards on practical items that they need, such as food and the latest CDs to make their New Year's celebrations complete."

Gift cards purchased during the holiday season are most heavily redeemed in the first weeks after Christmas, which means Americans will enjoy shopping for their own gifts into the new year. With no expiration date and the flexibility to redeem gift cards online at walmart.com, gift cards are truly a gift that keeps giving. VIsit our ionline links to Walmart.

Gift Cards have versatile uses

Gift certificates can be either mailed through the post office or emailed directly to the recipient with a number to use to retireve the online gift certificate. Other sites let your print or personalize your own gift certificate. If you want to buy a gift card, browse our links to well known brands here.

Often, there are no shipping or handling charges when you purchase the gift card online and have a confirmation emailed or snail-mailed to the recipient. Some Web sites provide a gift certificate cards to send with birthday, holiday or personalized greetings. Read more...

Holiday Shopping- 'Tis The Season for Giving

Gift Card Index:

Free Gift Card Section
Apple, Best Buy, WalMart or Target Free Gift Cards, Victoria's Secret, J.C. Penney, Chili's Outback, Costco, eBay and many more.

GiftCertificates.com
links to dozens of popular merchants. A gift certificate can be sent by mail or email.

Coupons & Discount Books

Promotional Codes: travel, air, car & more

Food Gift Certificates

Restaurant.com gift cards and coupons from thousands of restaurant in many US cities.

Amazon Groceries

The Entertainment Book

Gift Baskets:

Discounted Gift Certificates from Restaurant.com 60% OFF!

Gap.com - Gift Cards

Ship Free. Buy online. Also for Banana Republic or Old Navy. More online deals from the Gap

FREE $250 Gap Gift Card with Participation.