The holidays will soon be here and most of us are shopping for gifts for family and friends. Surveys have shown that many of the people on your list would truly like to receive a gift card for the holidays. This affords them the opportunity to pick out their own present and know that they will truly have something that they want and need. Unfortunately, the current economic crisis makes this a bad time to purchase these cards. If you buy from a favorite retailer, you have no way of knowing if they will be going out of business soon. Stores are closing everywhere and leaving gift card holders with little or no value. The gift card holder has no right to funds in a bankruptcy until all creditors have been paid. At that time there is seldom any money left for distribution.

If you do decide to purchase gift cards this year, or you are the recipient of cards, consider these tips:

Try to purchase your card from a popular and successful retailer.

If you have an old gift card from a troubled store, cash it in immediately before it no longer has any value.

Some bankrupt retailers will still redeem your gift cards at full or half value. You must ask if this is the case.

You can purchase general gift cards from American Express, Master Card, Visa, or Discover. These can be used at any one of hundred of businesses, but they do charge an extra fee to the purchaser.

Always inquire about fees and expiration dates when purchasing gift cards. Many cards do not have either, but some still do and you want to be certain that you are aware of these.

Check with the company if you can use their card online. Many cards cannot be used online and this is something you would certainly want to know before making a purchase.

It is, once again, that time when the holidays are approaching and we are thinking of gift giving for our friends and family. This year, however, finances are tighter than ever and we all must think twice about money spent. A little extra thought can help us to find the right gift for a person at the right price.

Make notes about the person you are giving a gift to. Consider their hobbies, passions, upcoming events in their lives – anything that would add the personal touch. Decide on something that seems appropriate for this person and it will surely be a well-received gift.

Create a holiday budget with a spending limitation for each person on your gift list. Be sure that you do not exceed this amount. It is important to stick to your budget but still find an appropriate gift for each person on your list.

One of the best things you can do is to shop early. Items are available at this time and introductory offers are often available as pre-holiday sales.

Consider checking online availability for items you wish to purchase. Many are discounted on individual websites and sometimes better deals can be had online even if you have to pay shipping charges.

Online coupon sites often offer free shipping or discounted prices for similar merchandise and give you the opportunity to save money. Try shopping from the comfort of your own home.

After saving money on most of the gifts on your list, consider rewarding yourself with a special gift. Use some of your savings to treat yourself to something special.