Gift cards have become the go-to present for parents who have run out of time, ideas or, let’s be honest, holiday spirit. The National Retail Federation estimates that, each holiday, 8-out-of-10 shoppers turn to gift cards for at least some of their gift purchases. Maybe that’s because the cards make especially good gifts for teachers, teens & tweens, and other hard-to-please people. Easy as they are to purchase, getting the most from gift cards requires a bit of savvy. Here are a few tips:

Choose the right card. A closed loop gift card can be used only at the store or restaurant that issues it, so be sure the recipient likes what they have to offer. Prepaid bank gift cards can be used wherever a debit card would be accepted, but there’s a fee for this convenience. The American Express website, for example, charges $3.95 per card, regardless of the amount.

Don’t buy off the rack. When cards are easily accessible, crooks can collect identifying numbers using pocket scanners or old-fashioned pencil and paper. By calling the toll-free number, they find out when the card is activated and spend the balance while your present is waiting to be given. To avoid this problem, purchase cards that are kept behind the counter. Look for a scratch off pin number and be sure it is intact.

Be smart online. Don’t buy gift cards by clicking on a link in an e-mail or text message. Even if these offers look like they come from prestigious companies, they are invariably scams that steal personal information without giving you anything in return. You’ll also want to avoid auction sites, where there’s a high risk of getting a card that is counterfeit, expired, or fraudulent.

Look for discounts. Legitimate discounts on gift cards are available from resellers such as, GiftCardGranny, GiftCardRescue.com, and CardPool.com. Before buying, be sure the website guarantees the value of the card. Check shipping charges too because they can quickly offset discounts.

Express your spirit. Many companies sell gift cards with special messages for the holidays. Better yet, design your own card with a personal photo or message at a site like GiftCard.com.

Share the joy. Some companies donate part of the price of each gift card to charity! At GiftCardsForaCause.com, a wide variety of cards are available for purchase and it’s easy to designate a charity to receive a percentage of what you spend.  

Personalize the packaging. The biggest complaint about gift cards is that they are impersonal and, well… a little boring. To make giving more fun, insert the card into a holiday ornament, pair of socks, trinket box, book, wallet, or the paws of a small stuffed animal. At the very least, include a personal note explaining why you wanted this particular person to have this particular gift card.

Skip the plastic. Ten billion gift cards are produced each year. Not only do they contain toxic petrochemicals, but they also create disposal problems. Some companies allow you to bypass plastic by sending an e-card directly to a mobile phone or even a Facebook page. Because this is a relatively new way of giving, be sure to alert the recipient with a card or some other tangible reminder that they’ve received a virtual gift.

Get a receipt. No matter how you buy your gift card, get a receipt that includes the number on the card.  Should the card be lost or stolen, you can recover its value if you have documentation. If you have a problem with a card, contact the company that issued it. If they can’t or won’t resolve the problem, complain to the FTC (877-FTC-HELP) about cards issued by retailers, or to Comptroller of the Currency (800-613-6743) about cards issued by banks.

If you become savvy about buying gift cards, you may actually want to use them to save money on your own purchases. The important thing is to treat the cards as cash because that’s exactly what they are; so don’t leave them lying around or tuck them into a drawer to be forgotten. For the same reason, be sure to spend cards received during the holidays. BankRate.com estimates that $40 billion dollars in gift card purchases went unused in the past decade! That’s like loaning money to the sponsoring companies without ever asking that it be paid back. Look for opportunities to use cards on things you or your kids really want. Take advantage of after holiday sales both on and offline. If there’s an expiration date, mark it on your calendar.

For cards you really can’t use, turn to websites that will buy them back, such as GiftCardRescue.com or CardPool.com.  Before shipping off a card, review the FAQ to be sure you understand exactly what you’ll receive in return (and how you’ll complain if there’s a problem). Of course, the holidays are a terrific time to convert the odd balances on all of last year’s gift cards into donations to organizations that will make the season bright for others. At CharityGiftCertificates.org, you can donate the balance on dozens of merchant cards to a charity of your choice ─ now that’s a way to rekindle holiday spirit!