As many of you know, I was on the Channel 6 (ABC Philly) news Tuesday night. One question that was posed was “What do I get a college student?”. My immediate response? “A gift card to Target or Walmart or any other major area store”. Amy Buckman then asked me if a really liked getting a gift card, to which I answered an emphatic “YES!”.
Gift cards get dissed (yes – I DID use that word) all too often, in my never-to-be-humble opinion. They are seen as being a thoughtless gift and “taking the easy way out”.
Let me tell you – I think that gift cards are the greatest thing ever invented, especially at Christmas! For example: if someone hands me a $50 Coldwater Creek gift card on Christmas day, I can usually turn their $50 in to at least $150 in product through the after-Christmas sales. When my husband wanted to buy a new TV, the one he wanted was out of everyones budget (including our own). But by asking everyone for Best Buy gift cards, he was able to combine them with the money we had available and get the TV he wanted. Of course, getting a restaurant gift card gives us a good excuse to go out to dinner! And do you have any idea how long I can make a $20 CVS gift card last?
Don’t fear the gift card. They make great gifts!
That being said, here are some deals on gift cards:
ShopAtHome recently launched their Gift Card Center, where you can now get cash back when you buy a gift card for over 100 participating retailers. If you are new to Shop At Home, you will get a $5 bonus credited to your account when you make your first purchase!
California Pizza Kitchen: Spend $100 on gift cards, get a $20 gift card for yourself
Romano’s Macaroni Grill: Buy a $25 Romano’s Macaroni Grill gift card and get a $5 bonus card
Outback Steakhouse: Buy $100 worth of gift cards online, get $20 bonus card and a free Sugarland music download. Bonus card valid 1/1/2010 through 2/10/2010.
Carrabba’s Italian restaurant: Buy $100 in gift cards, get $20 bonus card
Applebees: Buy $50 in gift cards, get a $10 bonus card
Bonefish Grill: Spend $100, Get $20 and enter to win $5,000
Buca di Peppo: Get $25 in gift cards for every $100 you buy!
Chick Fil A: Spend $20, get a free calendar
Denny’s: Buy $25 in gift cards, get a $5 gift card bonus
Maggiano’s Little Italy: Purchase $100 in gift cards and get a $20 bonus card
Ted’s Montana Grill: Buy 4 $25 gift cards and they will give you $20 gift card in return
Qdoba: Get a $5 bonus when you buy $25 in gift cards, bonus to be used in Jan. and Feb. 2010
CVS Pharmacy: Get a $5 eGift card for every $25 you spend
To see even more gift card deals check out these posts by Saving Cents with Sense and Centsable Momma!
We are new home owners and since the day we started the paperwork to buy the house, we stressed to everyone that this year for Christmas we wanted Home Depot giftcards! I can not begin to tell you how many trips to Home Depot we have made in the just over 4 months we have been in the house. With many projects still in the works… we cant wait to grab the (hopeful) giftcards we receive and go shopping!!
I was reading this post and thinking “with a CVS gift card, I can take home half the store,” and then I got to your line about how long you can make a CVS GC work, LOL
I’m with you–gift cards aren’t all evil. But it is important to use them promptly because some *are* evil and have hidden fees.