Congrats to Allison H

She wanted a gift card to Home Depot or Lowe’s, but Allison H is getting a gift card to Blockbuster and Regal Cinemas instead!  Congratulations Allison for winning the Gift Card Girlfriend Movie Bonanza! 

If you didn’t win, take “heart.” We’ll unveil a special Valentine’s Day Gift Card Giveaway shortly—one that is sure to make your heart skip a beat.

In the meantime, take a look at the most popular gift cards desired this holiday season:

1. Clothing and Department Stores.  J. Crew, Anthropologie, Nordstrom, Macy’s, Ann Taylor and Banana Republic are top vote getters because you said it’s hard to spend that kind of money on yourself without feeling guilty.  A gift card gives you permission to indulge and buy clothing you crave without spending a fortune.  But many of you would be just as happy shopping for clothes at our second most desired gift card retailer…
2. Target.   A shopping spree at Target can be both a practical gift (diapers, household necessities, clothing for the kids) and a treat (makeup, clothing for me, electronics, household decorations).  You said, “Target is great because you can get almost anything you need there.”  I totally agree.
3. Movies.  Some want to take the family out, others want to sneak away for date night, and the rest of you are just anxious to see a good movie without having to take out a second mortgage.  If you’re gift carding a movie this holiday season but don’t know what movie theater is in the recipient’s home town, get a Fandango gift card and let the recipient decide.
4. Home stores.  Lowes, Home Depot, Home Goods, and other home improvement stores are next on the list.  While this may seem overly practical, we’re in practical times right now.  Defraying the cost of fixing up the old homestead would be a welcome gift.
5. Amazon.com.  While it used to be just for books, Amazon is now recognized by many of you as a place for everything.  Like Target, you can indulge yourself or buy practical items for the family.
6. Spa or Salon. You want the spa treatment or the much-needed pedicure, but the practical side of you warns not to be so self-indulgent.  The shoulder devil says, “I would really love a massage.”  But the shoulder angel says, “I should get a Target or AMEX gift card so I can buy diapers instead.”  The beauty of a gift card is that it allows you to flick that angel off your shoulder and indulge without feeling guilty.
7. Entertainment.  Beyond the movies, you’d like to go out to a nice restaurant (or ANY restaurant) and maybe grab a movie on the way home or curl up with a book afterwards.  Bookstores, Restaurants, Video stores, and iTunes gift cards round out the list of most desired gift cards.

Like you, many of the people you plan to shop for this holiday season would like to receive a gift card.  So get the gift card and deliver it with confidence knowing that you’re either giving someone permission to indulge in a way they don’t normally allow themselves, or you’re giving them the gift of reducing the cost of more practical items.  Either will be appreciated.

And I, for one, am saving money this holiday season doing so.  Mostly because I’m staying totally within my budget.  I’m buying gift cards in the amount planned and packaging them with simple extras that make the gift more meaningful.