I know some people think it is gauche to give gift cards. They feel that this is a totally impersonal way to complete your holiday shopping. I wholeheartedly disagree. The gift cards I purchase for family and friends are given serious thought and consideration.

Most of them have very specific tastes, interests and/or needs and I wouldn't even try to presume to make a gift choice for them, but a gift card, with which they can choose a gift they really want or treat themselves to something special to them - -yes.

I feel the same way about cash. If a person you know really needs and/or wants it. There is nothing wrong with giving that either. So many people are strapped and struggling these days, that in many cases, cash could be the item which may make the holidays bearable.

Just like many other things, however, some gift cards are better than others. Once again, it's WalletHub to the rescue. WalletHub found that almost $1 billion in gift card value went unused last year. One BILLION!

So to help you get gift cards which your friends and family will actually use they've analyzed 50 of the most popular gift cards and rated them according to: 1) card popularity, 2) average discount, 3) average resale value, 4) retailer appeal and 5) shipping fees.

Here are WalletHub's Top Ten Best Gift Cards for 2016:

  1. Target
  2. Netflix
  3. Walmart
  4. Amazon
  5. Best Buy
  6. Costco
  7. Dunkin' Donuts
  8. T.J. Maxx
  9. iTunes
  10. Starbucks

To see their list of the 50 best gift cards, the most popular gift cards (yup, that's a different list) and some great tips and warnings about getting the most out of those little plastic wonders, check out the complete report here.


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