Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Awesome Ideas to using Gift Cards

By John Smith

What can be more disheartening than opening a gift and finding it to be something you will NEVER use? That has happened to us all at some time or another. You have several options. You can smile and pretend to like it, knowing that later you will either discard it, throw it in a closet never to be seen again, or give it to someone else and hope it never gets back to the person who gave it to you in the first place. You can tell the person that you don't like it and want to exchange it for something else, but then you risk hurting the feelings of someone you dearly love. This is where the idea of giving gift cards comes in. Imagine being able to give your loved ones whatever they want. With a gift card, that becomes possible.

With the incredibly high cost of gasoline, gas gift cards make an excellent gift idea. Everyone can use them (assuming of course, that they can drive!) and they are very convenient to directly at the pump. This is an especially great idea for teenagers, because often if you simply give them a Visa or MasterCard gift card, they may wastefully spend it on unnecessary items. A gas gift card will ensure that it will be used for needed transportation. These gift cards can also be reloaded and used over and over again. There is a phone number on the back of the card. When you first get the gift card, write that number down. If the card is ever lost or stolen, you can call that number and get a replacement. Don't you wish that you could replace lost or stolen cash that easily?

Weddings are an ideal time to give a gift card. How many of you received three toasters and four dozen glasses for your wedding? Giving a gift card will ensure that the couple will get something they truly need and want. If you need a creative idea for giving a wedding gift card, try buying a wedding gift cardholder. You certainly will not be the only one bringing gift cards as a present. With a gift cardholder, they can keep all the cards together in one place. Some resemble birdcages or decorative boxes with a slit in the top. You can find them anywhere that wedding supplies are sold. Try to go with a style and color that matches the bride's theme. If you aren't sure, go with white, it is always a classic. This even works as a gift for an engagement party as well.

If you own your own business, gift cards are a great way to bring more exposure to your business. They are easy to buy and can be preloaded at set amounts, or you can have the customer choose the amount they wish to set. If the card never gets used, it is pure profit for your company.

Do not believe that gift cards are just the effortless way out. They present the recipient that you acquired the time and believed to select a specific store or restaurant that you know they love. But they also permit the gift recipient to select something that would really enjoy. Who would not favor that over something they'll never use? - 15246

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