Lakersfan

In addition to buying gift cards at places like Costco and Sam's Club (many at up a 20% discount), you can buy restaurant gift cards. My youngest has special needs so het has many teachers/aides and we always provide at gift at the holidays. This year, I went to Hof's Hut (local SoCal chain) and for every $50 purchased (you name the denomination of each card - any amount), you get a $10 card that you must use between 1/1/10 and 3/31/10. I needed $130 worth (ouch!) so I purchased another $20 and got an extra $10 card free (for a total of $30 in free gift cards). Claim Jumper and other restaurant chains do this also.....FWIW.

Siggy

+1 on the visa gift card

Traveler

Learn origami and fold cash up into something pretty.

WhiteS2k

But how is this any different from just cash? It didn't take any more thought than cash, and it is more restrictive than cash (you can't spend it at a place that does not take credit cards).

slalom44

I gave American Express gift cards to my nieces and nephews for Chrismas. Last year I gave Visa gift cards. Since they live far away, I have no clue what to get them. Besides - if I gave them cash (or a check) their parents would get them to put it in a savings account. As a gift card, they get to spend it themselves

They don't cost much, either. Since I have an AMEX card, it cost me less than $2.00 per card for a $50 gift card. I can send them in the mail and if they get lost or stolen, I can get them cancelled. And they never expire or lose value.

And every time they use the card, they think of you. With cash, the memory of who gave them what gets quickly forgotten.

fltsfshr

I can't think of a better present for a teenage girl than a visa or amex gift card. Unless you supply the ride to the mall to go with it.

fltsfshr

zzziippyyy

Ya mean let her borrow your car to go to the mall to spend it .