Prepaid Gift Cards, the Good and the Bad

Prepaid gift cards can be a great present for those hard to buy for people on your gift list. Although it might be an easy fix, does this mean it's a great idea? Not all prepaid gift cards are created equal, yet they seem to be the first thing on the list for many struggling shoppers.

The Zynga prepaid gifts cards, which are sold at major retailers such as Walmart, and of course, the bigger chain convenience stores are a popular item. These allow the cardholders to receive special items in the games such as weapons, tools, vehicles, and decorations. All the Zynga games including Farmville, Petville, Café World, Frontierville, Mafia Wars and the rest of them have special items one can purchase.

Hard core gamers would love to purchase that special decoration within Farmville or that special weapon in Mafia Wars. Lets face it purchasing the gift card is a better idea as it limits their purchasing power but the limit is over as soon as the gamer is addicted and grabs the credit card. A credit card in the hands of an addict is a bad thing in every case.

There are prepaid gift cards for every thing one can imagine including adult web sites. Yes, a person can walk into a convenience store and pick up a card that will allow someone to surf an adult web site and feed his or her sexual addiction. Imagine purchasing these for the people on your list who are hard to buy for, your mom would be so disappointed!

Granted there are some awesome gift cards that are beneficial and very helpful to those hard to but for people. Instead of going with the wrong present that they will dislike grab a gift certificate to the neighborhood grocery or department store. Sometimes even little mom and pop shops will offer gift certificates for purchase. These are great for young families or even an older couple.

You might be able to locate a tanning, spa day, or hair cut certificate that is perfect for a busy stay at home mom or dad. Simply be sure to offer to watch the little ones while the parent is off using his or her special gift.

For the teens or gamers on your list, grab a pre paid card to a brick and motor store where they have to get up and walk around to look for a special game. The exercise is good for them.