If you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah or just about any other national holiday in the month of December, chances are that you’ve got a wallet stuffed with gift cards. They’re as useful as currency, but unfortunately consumers tend not to spend them as carefully as their own cash, sometimes missing out on good deals or forgetting about the gift cards entirely in all the hustle and bustle life can bring. This article is aimed to help all of you post-holiday shoppers get the most bang for your gift card buck and ring in the new year with high style.

The first rule of thumb is to know what vendors you’re shopping from and what merchandise they offer. If transportation is an issue, the internet allows for easy browsing, with many sites hosting a full stock list of what they carry. The beauty of this is they also take gift cards for your purchases on most sites, so spending that holiday cash could be just a few clicks away. However, be weary of outlandish shipping charges, as well as shipping time frames if you are looking to receive something within a deadline. Other things to look out for are post holiday sales where retailers are unloading their remaining inventory, in an effort to move spring styles into their stores. This can lead to a bevy of great deals, but beware of quality, condition and whether or not you’ll actually use the item, versus buying it only for the ticket price.

If there is ever a time to reassess and look at what is missing from your wardrobe, it’s now. Need a plain white shirt? Looking to replace those black flats with the worn soles? Ever wanted to try a new trendy accessory? This is the time and place to replace what you need and play the style field without having to worry about emptying your bank account. But refrain from buying a pile of winter items, despite the appealing price tag. If you need something to get through the winter months certainly buy it, but keep in mind that spring is around the corner and you will soon need to start looking at what to wear to transition seasons. This can be a good launching point.

Sometimes we may not always be thrilled with the gift cards we receive due to a dislike for a store or their policy, and it definitely does happen. Many in this situation resort to re-gifting, but in the case when this seems impossible, sites like giftcardrescue.com and plasticjungle.com come to the rescue and allow you to sell your gift cards or trade them in for other gift cards at many retailers. In the case of a college student looking for quick cash to purchase next semester’s books, this is a fast and easy idea for obtaining the cash if you’re low on funds.

Lastly, remember to be thankful and gracious for all of the items you’ve received due to the gift card giver’s generosity. If you haven’t already done so, jot out a quick thank you note (handwritten is always a nice touch), and possibly clue them in to all of the wonderful items you got with the gift card, especially in the case of family members. This will ensure goodwill, and help to make sure you receive more gift cards next holiday season!

By: Stephanie Tipple

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