'Tis the season of gift card giving.
These little plastic cards are often seen as the lazy person's go-to gift, but that doesn't stop us from buying them. In the past year, 77% of American consumers have given a gift card, and 90% have received at least one.
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Whether you plan on giving a gift card or end up receiving one this holiday season, you'll probably run into a few etiquette questions, like, "How can I give a gift card without looking impersonal?" or "Is it okay to re-gift gift cards?" Don't worry, you're not the only one wondering what the rules are.
Below are expert answers to 10 of the most bewildering gift card-related questions, ensuring that you have a successful gift-giving holiday season.
1. Do gift cards expire?
Not all gift cards have expiration dates or inactivity fees, but you should take a look at the gift card and its packaging to find out. If you plan on purchasing a gift card, it's best to ask an employee to see if there are restrictions.
New gift card rules went into effect on Aug. 22, 2010. The expiration date on a gift card must be clearly and conspicuously disclosed on the card. Inactivity fees are required to be disclosed on the card or packaging, and you can only be charged one inactivity fee per month.
2. What should I consider when purchasing a gift card for someone?
"If you are 100% certain that someone shops at a store, by all means get them a gift card from that store," Leah Ingram, an expert on gift giving, tells Mashable. You don't want to unnecessarily spend money on a gift card that someone won't use.
Ingram also recommends reading the fine print to see if there are limitations or fees associated with the gift card. That way, you won't inconvenience the recipient.
When you purchase a gift card, make sure you buy it from a source you trust. Gift cards you buy on sites like eBay and Craigslist can turn out to be counterfeit. Also, avoid purchasing gift cards from places that may be financially unstable. No one wants to receive a gift card and later learn that it's useless because the company went bankrupt.
Pro tip: Don't forget that some gift cards can be used at more than one place, because they're owned by the same parent company. For example, Gap gift cards can be used at Old Navy, Banana Republic, Piperlime and Athleta. This will give your recipient more options.
3. How do I decide how much money to put on a gift card?
Jacqueline Whitmore, an etiquette expert and founder of The Protocol School of Palm Beach, shares her recommendations on how much money to put on gift cards.
For a casual friend or acquaintance, $10 to $20 would be an acceptable amount to show you made an effort and want to express thanks or recognize a birthday.
For a best friend, brother, sister or other family member, anywhere from $30 to $75 would be appropriate.
For a spouse or someone who has made a massive difference that you want to recognize, $75 and up would be appropriate.
If you're buying gifts for a group of people, such as co-workers, it's best to give them gifts that are equal in value. Vicky Oliver, author of 301 Smart Answers to Tough Business Etiquette Questions, recommends giving gift cards of the same amount to coworkers. After all, no one wants to be known as the office brown-noser.
4. When I give a gift card, should I write the amount?
It's better to write a gift card's amount so you don't leave your recipient confused. No one wants to receive a $20 gift card, assume it's $100 and find themselves at the register unaware. The difference between $20 and $100 is significant, so don't leave your recipient hanging.
"There's no purpose in hiding how much a gift card is," Oliver tells Mashable. Regardless of whether or not you write down the amount, the recipient will find out eventually.
5. When I give a gift card, should I include the receipt?
On the rare chance that the gift card wasn't activated or the magnetic strip is damaged, you should always include a receipt with the gift card.
"The only time I recommend not including a receipt is if you buy the gift card on your way to a birthday party, and the date and time are printed on the receipt," Whitmore tells Mashable. "Gift cards tend to be a bit impersonal to begin with, and this is just adding insult to injury."
6. How can I give a gift card without looking lazy or impersonal?
Ingram recommends packing the gift card with something tangible that fits in with the theme of the gift card. For example, if you purchased an iTunes gift card for a friend, you could take earbuds and wrap it around the card in a bow.
As with all gifts, it's best to include a personalized handwritten note card. Oliver suggests attaching a candy cane to cards during the holidays. Personal touches like that can go a long way.
7. Is it OK to re-gift gift cards?
If you're going to re-gift a gift card, Ingram says to make sure the original amount is on the gift card. If the gift card has an exact balance of $19.46, it's obvious it has been partially used and can be viewed as rude.
So, do you tell the recipient the gift card was re-gifted? Ingram says you don’t need to be up front about it unless you are very close to the person, and feel comfortable telling him or her.
8. Can I redeem a gift card for cash?
Certain states, such as California, Colorado, Maine and New Jersey, have gift card laws that will allow you to redeem a gift card for cash -- but only if the gift card is less than a specific value (around $5 to $10).
9. What else can I do with an unwanted gift card?
If you're looking to sell or trade in your gift card, take a look at websites like CardCash, GiftCardRescue, Gift Card Granny and Swapagift. If you're feeling generous, you can donate your gift card to someone in need through sites like Gift Card Giver.
10. Can I tip with a gift card?
"A tip should be provided for good service, and is the responsibility of the person using the gift card," Whitmore tells Mashable. "Including a tip on the gift card is tacky."
Ingram also says she would not tip with a gift card because she is concerned if the waiter, server or whoever would actually end up receiving the tip.
For example, if you're at a restaurant and you add a tip with your credit card, you know there is a system in place that will make sure the server receives his tip. But some computer systems may not process the tip if you use a gift card, and the server may not receive it. To ensure he earns his gratuity, pay with cash.
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