Shoppers are often seen rushing through aisles trying to complete their holiday gift shopping in time. Despite all the holiday hype, shoppers seem to always wait until the last moment to complete their shopping list.
Four out of 10 holiday gift shoppers said they expected to buy most of their gifts within seven days of the holiday celebration. This can lead to buying cheap, but not thoughtful gifts.
However, holiday shopping trends are slowing down and gift card sales have been increasing. The National Retail Foundation estimates that gift card sales will hit a record $22.5 billion in 2007, which is a 34 percent increase on 2006. Gift cards such as those at The Home Depot come in a variety of holiday designs, religious themes, and languages. This is a win-win situation for the receiver and the giver. These cards are easy to buy and redeem and give the recipient an opportunity to shop for a variety of things, including helping with impulse purchases or helping to invest in a long-term project like a home-or-yard makeover.
The gift card is a hassle-free purchase that allows you to spend your holiday enjoying it, but some people are still anxious about gifting a gift card to their loved ones. Here are some ideas to personalize your holiday gift card purchase.
* Look for a unique design or package, such as a gift card that comes with bath salts for your favorite spa queen or a card that doubles as a tape measure for the carpenter.
* Personalize the gift card with a hand-written note listing ways you envision your recipient using the card.
* Bundle the gift card with other small, thoughtful items, such as a bath tote or toolbox.
For more information, please visit www.homedepot.com.
