Personalizing Gift Cards for the Holidays: From Wrapping to Matching

Gift cards are not new, but they are becoming more popular. Walking into most big-box retailers proves this. They have large rotating displays of gift cards. Many stores even carry gift cards for other retailers and restaurants. Many people think giving a gift card is a great idea. You are giving the gift of shopping. Others may think it is thoughtless and a poor gesture. However, when most people are asked if they would like to receive a gift card the answer is yes. Here are five rules for giving gift cards so the recipient feels special.

1. Do make it personal
Don't just give a generic gift card to a mall or large retailer that sells everything. Think about the person's interests and what they enjoy. Then get them a gift card from a store they would enjoy. Give the chef in your family a gift card to a gourmet kitchen store. Get the do-it-yourselfer a gift card to a home improvement store. There are gift cards available for many different stores, services and products. Think outside the box and consider spas, restaurants, meal assembly stores, and even cleaning services. The recipient of your gift will be please you thought of them and they will enjoy using the card.

2. Don't just hand the card over
Wrap your card as you would a gift. Consider giving something that goes with it. A newly married couple may love a gift card to a video rental store with a box of microwave popcorn and some snacks. A couple with children may like a night out. Give them a gift card to their favorite restaurant and offer to babysit while they go out. Get creative and make a gift card part of a gift rather than the whole thing.

3. Do make sure it is appropriate
There are times when you shouldn't give gift cards. Don't give them for intimate occasions like an anniversary gift for your significant other. You may want to avoid giving gift cards to anyone with which you have an intimate relationship anyway. You will also want to find a different gift for someone who won't be able to use a gift card. Your grandmother or young child may not appreciate them. Other times you may not want to give a gift card are baby and bridal showers. Part of the fun at those types of parties is opening the gifts and showing them off.

Gift cards are here to stay and people love receiving them as long as you do put thought into them and follow the rules above.