Gift cards can be fun

Reader Nancy shared an important insight about gift cards that I’m featuring as reader comment of the week!

I like giving gift cards and getting gift cards. It makes it easy for everyone. You can be creative with them. I am adding a cozy blanket from Macy’s with a Barnes & Noble card. Got the blanket for a steal, paid only 11.99 for a 40.00 throw. It’s called my cozy gift. Nothing like a good book and a cozy blanket. Next one is a Starbucks card with an Itunes card. Call that one “move it” gift. Music and Coffee. So you see gift cards can make a gift fun.

Nancy left the comment in response to my post about the perils of giving gift cards. My main point was that with some businesses teetering close to bankruptcy, you want to be careful where you put your money. Nancy provided a solution to another gift card dilemma, which is how to make a piece of plastic seem like a fun gift.

I am a fan of pairing gift cards with hand-written notes, homemade presents, cookies, or another gift item, especially if it ties into the type of gift card you are giving. For instance, give a spatula along with a gift certificate to Sur La Table or Crate & Barrel. Or an iPod accessory along with an iTunes gift card. You get the idea.

Related:

Get a $5 gift card at TGI Friday’s when you buy one for $25

Why do you hoard gift cards?

Sites to buy and sell discounted gift cards

Round up of gift card bonuses and perks