The Top Ten Gift Cards of Christmas 2008

Sometimes you want to give a tangible gift but you just don't know what to buy--gift cards are perfect for those situations. Sending gifts in the form of gift cards has the benefit of simplifying holiday shopping while ensuring that the recipient gets a gift they will enjoy. In some cases, buying gift cards online allows you to fully personalize your card for a touch of sentimental value. Here are the top ten gift cards I recommend for this holiday season.

eBay

What I love about eBay is that you can buy almost anything there. For regular eBay users there are frequently promotions and coupons that can be used to get excellent deals. I wouldn't recommend this card to everyone because it requires shopping online with both a PayPal and eBay account. When buying online, the eBay gift card can be personalized with an image or text.

Amazon

Amazon is another online vendor that sells a wide variety of products. I recommend it because there is truly something for everyone there. Again, because it is an online retailer, it may not be appropriate for the less than computer-savvy recipients.

iTunes

Anyone with an iPod or iPhone could use an iTunes gift card. With an iTunes card the gift recipient can buy a song, or application that can be enjoyed for years to come.

Visa

MasterCard

American Express

The Visa, MasterCard and American Express cards offer the most flexibility in what can be purchased with the gift card. A possible downside to giving one of these cards is that they are used just like credit cards so your gift may ultimately be a paid bill or a carton of cigarettes.

Starbucks

The Starbucks card is simply a practical gift for those that have a daily Starbucks habit. It also has some perks such as free brewed coffee refills with a registered card.

Target

Gift cards for Target can be redeemed online or in the store for a wide variety of items. What is most interesting about the Target cards are the designs which range from cute to functional. One example of a such card is the digital camera that comes with free prints.

Macy's

Macy's is a ubiquitous brick-and-mortar department store so the recipient can choose to shop in-store or online. The Macy's site has many designs for gift cards and an option to customize cards with your own images.

Barnes & Noble

Barnes & Noble cards are the obvious choice for book lovers. These cards are customizable and can be redeemed online or in-store.

All of these cards can be purchased online by following the links I have provided. If you don't want to buy online you can easily find gift cards at drug stores, supermarkets, or directly from the retailer.