Giving Gift Cards for Christmas

Image by Andres Rueda via Flickr

Well, I decided to add another post about gift cards. I did a little research on the fees associated with bank issued gift cards...Visa, Mastercard, and American Express. Read the fine print! Here's a link to a very informative video about gift cards and fees. http://moneywatch.bnet.com/saving-money/video/gift-cards-fees-and-fine-print/367592/ 


American Express seems to have no fees after purchasing, no expiration date, and no fee for dormancy. The link for the terms and conditions is: https://www212.americanexpress.com/dsmlive/dsm/dom/us/en/personal/cardmember/additionalproductsandservices/giftcardsandtravelerscheques/amexgiftcard_cardholderagreement.do?vgnextoid=2d49e6e93492a110VgnVCM200000d0faad94RCRD&vgnextchannel=95ddb81e8482a110VgnVCM100000defaad94RCRD
Here you will find FAQ'S. They have business gift cards and personal gift cards. Their link is: https://www.americanexpress.com/gift/giftcardslanding.shtml?ne_ppc_id=839&ne_key_id=5339907&gclid=CK6-n9evpqMCFQuenAodHycT4w 


GiftCards.com has many cards to choose from, but they also come with fees. Depending on the amount of the card, the fee is between $3.95, $4.95 and $5.95. Also there is a $4.95 service fee deducted after 12 months of inactivity, a $4.95 replacement fee for lost or stolen cards. It's got a 7 year expiration date. Now I don't know about you, but if someone gives me a gift card, I would be out shopping as soon as possible! It would burn a hole in my pocket!


Retail stores sell all sorts of gift cards. So if you're really sure of what tastes your recipient has, go for it. It may be easier and less expensive than a bank issued card.

http://www.giftcards.com/

Giving Gift Cards for Christmas

Image via Wikipedia

Christmas is my favorite time of the year. I can hardly believe that it's only four months away. Where has the year gone?? I'll be ready to listen to Christmas music right after Halloween. Yes, I know that's a little early for some, but not me. I think this year I'm going to make the shopping part of the holiday season easier on myself and purchase mall  gift cards. It's so hard to know what to buy someone. Some people are easy to buy for and some have everything, and some you just don't know their likes or dislikes. This way they can buy something that maybe they normally wouldn't get for themselves because they just didn't want to spend the money on it and now they can!

A fun way to give a gift card is to put it into a puzzle game box that's made for gift cards. They have to play the game to get the card released. These usually come with directions on how to get the card out and if all else fails, get a hammer...just kidding!!

If  it's for young girls, you could tuck it into a small purse or wallet for the men. Tuck it into the sleeve of a candy bar for those who love chocolate. You could include it with a special ornament for the recipient and every year when it's time to bring out the decorations, they will think of you when they see the ornament.

You could put one inside a pair of cute little Christmas socks or mittens.

I'm sure there are so many more ways to get creative with giving gift cards. I guess it just depends on what type or what theme the gift card is...say for instance a restaurant gift card, movie gift card, Starbuck's gift card, gas card, store card, etc. Just go with the theme.

Yes, it's a busy and stressful time of the year and if this can make my life a little easier, I'm all for it!! How about you?

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Christmas Quotes

1. "Remember, if Christmas isn't found in your heart, you won't find it under a tree." - Charlotte Carpenter

2. "Unless we make Christmas an occasion to share our blessings, all the snow in Alaska won't make it 'white'." - Bing Crosby

3. "I have always thought of Christmas as a good time; a kind, forgiving, generous, pleasant time; a time when men and women seem to open their hearts freely, and so I say, God bless Christmas!" - Charles Dickens

4. "Christmas is most truly Christmas when we celebrate it by giving the light of love to those who need it most." - Ruth Carter Stapleton

5. "Christmas in Bethlehem. The ancient dream: a cold, clear night made brilliant by a glorious star, the smell of incense, shepherds and wise men falling to their knees in adoration of the sweet baby, the incarnation of perfect love." - Lucinda Franks

6. "I just don't understand Christmas, I guess. I like getting presents and sending Christmas cards and decorating trees and all that, but I'm still not happy. I always end up feeling depressed." - Charlie Brown 

7. "Christmas..Bah Humbug!" - Ebeneezer Scrooge

 

Send a letter to Santa

Christmas in July

  It's my favorite time of the year to watch QVC's Christmas in July show. They have so many cool things for Christmas. I like the fact that each item is demonstrated for you and if you have a computer you can always check the reviews out for the item you may be interested in. I find that a great help in making my decision in buying things. Bethlehem lighting has some great products. The greenery in the wreaths, trees, centerpieces, and garland is very nice quality. They have improved on their LED lights...they're brighter than before and will last a long time. The battery operated items last through the season. Lots of unique things. Love the Mr. Christmas products and the Thomas Pacconi products. You always have 30 days to return anything you are not satisfied with and no questions asked. Love this!! If you love Christmas in July check them out at http://www.iqvc.com/. Christmas products are showing all day the 24th and 25th. Hope I don't spend to much! Start shopping early!

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• Christmas In July: How Much Can You Save? (forbes.com)

Some Assembly Required

'Twas the night before Christmas when all through the house

I searched for the tools to hand to my spouse.
Instructions were studied and we were inspired,
In hopes we could manage "Some Assembly Required."
The children were quiet in their beds,
While Dad and I faced the evening with dread:
In the kitchen, two bikes, Barbie's town house to boot!
And, thanks to Grandpa, a train with a toot!
We opened the boxes, my heart skipped a beat....
Let no pieces be missing or parts incomplete!
Too late for last-minute returns or replacement;
If we can't get it right, it goes down in the basement!
When what to my worrying eyes should appear,
But 50 sheets of directions, concise, but not clear,
With each part numbered and every slot named,
So if there were failure, only we could be blamed.
More rapid than eagles the parts then fell out,
All over the floor they were scattered about.
"Now bolt it! Now twist it! Attach it right there!
Slide on the seats, where the metal is bare!
Hammer the shelves, and nail to the stand."
Honey," said hubby, "you just glued my hand."
And then in a twinkling, I knew for a fact
That all the toy dealers had indeed made a pact
To keep parents busy all Christmas Eve night
With "assembly required" till morning's first light.
We spoke not a word, but kept bent at our work,
Till our eyes, they went bleary; our fingers all hurt.
The coffee went cold and the night it wore thin
Before we attached the last rod and last pin.
Then laying the tools away in the chest,
We fell into bed for a well-deserved rest.
But I said to my husband just before I passed out,
"This will be the best Christmas, without any doubt.
Tomorrow we'll cheer, let the holiday ring,
And not have to run to the store for a thing!
"We did it! We did it! The toys are all set
For the perfect, most perfectest Christmas, I bet!"
Then off to dreamland, at last sweet repose
I gratefully went, although I suppose
There's something to say for those self-deluded
I'd forgotten that BATTERIES are never included!
I just got lost in thought.
It was unfamiliar territory.



-Unknown

http://opossumsally.homestead.com/index1.html

First Christmas Gift

  Well, I bought my first Christmas present yesterday. It's for my sister-in-law. Saw it on http://www.iqvc.com/. I love it and I think she will too. I can't say what it is because she may read this. I sent her an email with a Christmas background and a Christmas song. I told her ho ho ho, he he he, bought you a Christmas gift from QVC. No hints as to what it was. I don't think I've ever bought a Christmas gift this early. It could turn out to be a good idea to start early in the year instead of waiting until November.