I got a few gift cards this year. They are growing on me. I read in the paper that they aren't included in holiday sales figures until after they are spent, so the slump this season could very well go away once everyone is finished spending. It's estimated people give and received about 150$ in giftcards a year. Multiply that by a few million people, and you have a pretty hefty sum.

I was able to get my haircut and even got a bright orange extension put in because "it's not my money, right"? And then I went to kirklands and got a piece of framed art I'd been eyeing. Here is my mom posing with it so I could send a pic to DH....



When I get gift cards, I get things I normally wouldn't get myself, and I make it a point not to spend it on Ada, unless it is for her. Like she needs more stuff! I have a Wal-Mart gift card we're about to go spend on some more practical things. I'm not a big Wal-Mart shopper, but I do get toiletries and stuff there.

I've only lost one gift card this year, a Starbucks card. Same thing happens when people give me cash. One year, my mom gave me cash as my "big gift" because we didn't think we were going to able to visit one another that christmas, and neither one of us could afford shipping. I still haven't found that cash. AHHHHHHH. It's why I never carry cash. I lose it.

Have you spent your giftcards? I have to spend mine right away, or I tuck them away and forget about them.

[Butter]

I only got one gift card. I'm really not into them. It's to a quilting store by my mom, so we have to go down there for me to spend it.

Jamie already spent his Staples gift card and has a Borders one left to spend.

The kids didn't get any gift cards. Ani was very sad about that since she loves gift cards.

We all have money from my MIL to spend. She sent money this year since it's so expensive to mail gifts from Ireland to here.

[Jaidynsmum]

I've still to spend mine and the kids still have their's to spend too. Elijah's birthday is on 2nd January, so we'll wait until after that to go spending as I know there's another 2 gift cards amongst her birthday gifts!

[ReedsMama06]

OK. I have to see this extension, Manda! You were being serious, right? I bet you lok HOT!

I did not get a gift card, one! I was surprised. But when i took back my perfume from MIL i got one and spent it quite promptly on part of a Dooney and Bourke Bag! Wooooooooooooooot.

[Mama Melissa]

I got several gift cards - 60 bucks to the movies, 50 bucks to dinner, 25 bucks to blockbuster movie rental, 25 bucks to future shop......so far I've spent 30 bucks at the movies cus Mike and i went on the 26th to see Sweeny Todd (starring my lover Johnny Depp) and P.S I love you....

[skyler]

No gift cards here.

[Admin-Twinkle]

I got a couple, but haven't used them yet.

[Thelittlemermaid]

I didn't receive any gift cards, just cold hard cash. DH is jealous because after returning the coat he bought for me that was to small, I now have more then him. Which he is trying to weasal out of me so he can get his PS3.

All three kids received a couple and Dalton has already spent his on a Xbox 360 game.

[JessieR]

I got a million gift cards. That is the usual gift I get from my students. We also got a couple from family and friends. I have $50 to Barnes and Nobles, $10 to Borders, $50 to Applebee's, $50 to Olive Garden, $25 to Target, $20 to an online teacher store, $30 to a local Mexican resturant, $15 to Hollywood Video, $40 to Bob Evans, $25 to Hobby Lobby, $35 to another teacher store, and $25 to Kohl's. I also have a bunch left over from last year.

I have trouble spending gift cards. I always like to buy something meaningful with the cards from stores. The only ones I have spent so far have been the Kohl's and Target ones. I bought the "Friends Scene It" game at Kohl's and I bought some workout videos at Target.

[Butter]

Oh, yeah, we also got a gift card to Chili's. We haven't spent that yet.

[Kimchi]

I didn't get any gift cards this year. I never remember to spend them. I believe I have a bunch left over from last Christmas...or maybe even the year before.

[lizzy27]

I haven't gotten any gift cards this year. We are exchanging with DH's family on New Year's Day, so there's still a chance. I really like getting gift cards in general, especially to my favorite scrapbook store. Guilt free spending on whatever I want!

I'm officially done with the gift cards... we got a Super Mario game for our Wii.

[plastikstars]

I received gift cards to Walmart and Sephora but still haven't spent them.

[Butter]

Well, now some of the money from Jamie's mom is spent. Ani got a Disney princess lamp that moves and sings when you press a button. Cameron got some Power Rangers toys and a couple Power Rangers DVDs. Fritz got Duplo blocks.

[kapear]

So far I've bought a pair of shoes and a pair of cords at Macy's. I still have about $140 on that card. I did spend my $200 in cash at J Jill and Chico's.

[Mod-quietsong]

Not yet... We've got a pair of Barnes & Noble cards, a pair of Amazon cards, and Eric's uber Toys R Us card from my parents. I, however, refuse to go shopping between christmas and new year's.

[VegasMom]

I got a gift card to the coffee place in the hospital that I work in, one for Starbucks and a $250 Visa but the only one I have used is for the coffee place at the hospital. I think I'll use the Starbucks one tomorrow for a venti white chocolate mocha.

[Admin-Twinkle]

yummmmmmmy a white chocolate mocha, aren't those things amazing!!

[Lindsey608]

We got one to Walmart and some cash to spend too. But I'm sure the cash will just end up going to moving expenses and the gift card to anything we need once we get to VA!