Gift Cards — a superb alternative to usual gifts

We all know that gifts are always special. They are meant to be presented to your near and dear ones, especially the beloved, isn’t it? We gift them several things from cash to diamonds but have you ever made them feel happy by giving away gift cards? Well, if not, then the time has come to do so.

Gift cards, which have become very common nowadays, are actually prepaid debit cards that contain a specific amount of money available for use for a variety of purchases. These cards are often gifted to others at important events to make them feel special and make their day memorable.

Origins

Many of us might not know, but it was late 1994 when the first gift card was introduced in the United States by a luxury department store chain named Neiman Marcus. Blockbuster Entertainment was the first company to do so on a wide scale, test-marketing them in 1995 and launching across the country the next year.

Since then, it has gradually become a part of gifting culture throughout the world, especially on special occasions. Marriages, birthday parties, and other gatherings are celebrated with much fervor in India, and that is how these cards became a trend there too. Several leading brands have been selling gift cards with lucrative offers that cannot be resisted at any cost.

Gift cards and kinds

Basically, there are two types of gift cards that are widely popular and accepted across the globe. One is known as the Open Loop and the other as Close Loop cards.

An open-loop card is a general-purpose charge card that can be used anywhere that brand of card is accepted. At the same time, the closed-loop gift cards can only be redeemed at the merchant listed on the card.

Both types can be used online and in-person anywhere. Several gift cards have maximum and minimum initial loading amounts. There are many leading brands that offer gift cards with attractive discounts and offers.

Besides paid ones, there are several free gift cards available online, which one can earn through accomplishing various types of work, surveys, and tasks. However, a paid one has more features and advantages than a free one. So it is advisable to opt for a paid one in order to avail of maximum benefits.

The Takeaways

Well, the benefits or takeaways are for both the business and customers. For businesses, these cards help build brand awareness as more and more people would buy them, and the brand will get registered in their minds.

Besides capturing more holiday sales, these gift cards enable the use of digital wallets, which have become absolutely relevant in today’s times and cannot be imagined without the internet. By keeping a record of new and repeat customers, these cards enable customer engagement as they generate useful data. From customers’ point of view, these are convenient and safe to use. Also, these are easy to distribute. These cards carry a validity period, so customers can use them whenever they want to within that time frame.

Last but certainly not least!

Real happiness lies in acknowledging small things in life, which is true in women’s case. They want their boyfriend, husband, or family members to realize their value and acknowledge it wholeheartedly, without any ego or insecurity.

A gift card with the correct validity period given at the right time can make them feel elated. They will definitely feel loved, cared and respected. We, as humans, want just two things — love and respect and if a card can help us earn both of these things, then every day, every moment of our lives would be nothing less than a gift!

After all, they are the ones who make us feel comfortable and happy in our difficult times. So gifting cards can be a payback for the efforts made.