How to Choose Monetary Gift Cards

When choosing monetary gift cards for holidays, birthdays or any special occasion, you'll want to choose a card that's right for the person. There are so many types of gift cards available nowadays that choosing the right one may seem confusing. Here are tips.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Determine if there is a special store or online merchant where the person likes to shop.

2. Decide the monetary value of the gift card you want to give as a gift.

3. If a particular store or online merchant does not have their brand of gift card, they might accept general gift cards from Visa, MasterCard or American Express.

4. Notice the check-out line at large super-markets. Many have racks of gift cards for different retail stores for sale, where you can purchase gift cards for clothing stores, book stores and even gourmet foods.

5. Consider giving a gift card for a baby shower gift, so the new parents can purchase what they need. A gift card from a hardware store or building supply store is an ideal housewarming gift.

6. Give the card as a gift in a special envelope, gift bag or a special gift card holder, such as a stuffed animal or statue that is made to hold the card.

Tips & Warnings

• When a purchase is made with a gift card, the shopper does not get change back. Instead the card is debited in the amount of the purchase and the available balance on the card is adjusted.
• Most gift cards expire or are charged a monthly fee after a certain amount of time if they have not been used.
• The only drawback to gift cards is that the recipient knows exactly how much money you spent for the gift.