How to Use Gift Cards to Pay for Your Holiday Expenses
With the holiday period right around the corner, there are several inventive ways to make the most out of gift cards during this time that can be as stressful as it is amusing. Discover the many ways to use gift cards to their full potential during this holiday season.
Pay for Your Expenses With Gift Cards
First of all, you can use gift cards to pay for expenses like Christmas tree decorations or ornaments and festive lights for the house. Our retailers, like Canadian Tire and Walmart, will inspire you and help you to choose the perfect theme for your Christmas tree.
You can also use gift cards to pay for all the expenses you’ll need to purchase to throw those festive holiday dinners and get-togethers. If you’re hosting your family or friends this year for Christmas, use gift cards to cover your grocery bills (IGA, Metro, Loblaws) and your expenses at specialty stores like Laura Secord or SAQ.
If you’re invited elsewhere, gift cards are perfect for buying your gifts for those loved ones organizing the party.
Don’t forget to use gift cards to pay for your gas – a very practical way to help cover your traveling expenses! You can choose among our retailers like Ultramar, Esso or Shell.
Pay for Gifts With Gift Cards
Gift cards are a simple Christmas gift, but very appreciated by all. Take a look at our article from last year to see 7 original DIY ideas on ways to give gift cards.
If you don’t want to give gift cards, you can still use them to buy the gifts you need to purchase and raise funds to support your group‘s fundraising campaign at the same time.
Give Gift Cards to Other Organizations
Gift cards can also be used to help organizations that give back to the less fortunate during the holiday season. If you participate in annual food bank collection drives for example, you maybe not know that they often use gift cards to give to the ones in need. You could therefore help them by giving them gift cards that will be easy to distribute and manage, while raising a percentage in donations for your own fundraising campaign.
Keep Gift Cards on Hand for Last Minute Invitations
The holiday season is full of surprises and this often includes unexpected invitations! Don’t be caught off guard by always having gift cards at home, ready to give when you have to come up with a last-minute gift. By having gift cards on hand for this kind of occasion, you’ll avoid unnecessary stress at an already stressful time of year.
According to a study by Experian, last minute gifts are the biggest unexpected holiday expense for the majority of people and is the most important source of stress! Reducing stress factors during Christmas time is always a great idea!
With a little planning and creative thinking, your holiday spending will actually generate funds this year if you use gift cards to cover all your expenses!