Hinutech

Last year, $8 billion was wasted on gift cards. That isn't $8 billion on value spent but $8 billion on fees and breakage. When you give a gift card that doesn't get used, someone keeps the money -- the company who is providing the card. You can purchase gift cards from the actual store where the purchase would be made, at banks, on racks at grocery stores and even at special gift card clearing houses from grocery stores online. The really bad part of all of this is when you pay a fee to give a gift card. Why pay $53 to give a $50 card? It makes no sense. The whole idea of gift cards changes the concept of Christmas from one of giving to one of shopping -- a big difference. Somewhere along the way, we have been conditioned to believe that giving someone cash for Christmas is in poor taste. Giving someone a $50 bill says that you didn't know what to give them but were thinking of them. Giving someone a $50 gift card to Barnes & Noble says that you didn't know what to give them, but you are pretending to kinda-sorta know because you remember that they like books. Now the person that you gave the card to feels compelled to purchase a book that they weren't planning on purchasing and probably wasting a few extra bucks to get them to the $50 card limit -- or worse yet, going over the limit and spending money that they weren't planning on spending. The end result: your gift, if used, will wind up costing the recipient money. Here's my recommendation: when you don't know what to give someone, find a worthy cause and make a donation in their name. This accomplishes a few things:

1. A charity gets much-needed support
2. The recipient becomes aware of the charity
3. The recipient knows that you care about them
4. Money is not wasted (in fees, extra purchases, non-use, etc.)

If you don't want to receive gift cards this year but want your friends and loved ones to know what to give you, think about causes you support. Learn how they can allow others to give in your name, and let your friends and families know how to give to you in this new, charitable context. For an example, check out my registry at Heifer International -- http://www.heifer.org/myregistry/joshasbury For the most part, there are very few things that I want or need this year (I am truly blessed). I would much rather my loved ones spend $20 on a flock of ducks than buy me a $20 gift card to Best Buy. By facilitating this ability to give, I am making it easier on those who wish to purchase gifts for me (no guessing, no burning gas by going to the mall), ensuring that money is spent well and ultimately, making a positive impact on the life of someone who needs a little bit of help. Ultimately, isn't that last point what holiday giving is all about? So, if you want to purchase a gift for me this year, I don't want you to think too hard about it. Just visit my registry and pick something out that is in your price range. Buy chickens. Buy a cow. Buy a tree. Just don't buy me a gift card -- gift cards are for chumps. My birthday is December 17, and Christmas is on December 25. Plan ahead, and make the world a little better.