Its that time of year again, where the latest class of college students are finishing up exams and attending their convocations. Most of us know at least one student graduating this year, and we are aware that they are launching into one of the toughest economies in North American since the depression. Thats why graduation gifts this year are more likely to be cold hard cash or a gift card. Although many people frown upon giving cash and gift cards in this economy it is usually exactly what a graduating student needs.

Cash or a nice check makes the best gift, but if a graduating student lives far away and you are planning on mailing the gift a gift card is a better option. The best gift cards to give are the prepaid Visa’s or American Express gift cards, these can be used at any location the credit cards are excepted. If you still want something more personal electronics store gift cards, itunes gift cards or clothing gift cards are always popular with the college crown. Try to figure out what the students plans are for after gradation. If they are traveling then buy a travel gift gift card, if the student is moving into a new apartment an Ikea gift card may be in order.

Cash or gift cards in the best gift for grads in the uncertain economy. The last of their concerns right now is another College sweater or a special fram for their diploma, the current trend for students is survival.

Canadian pharmacy superstore Shoppers Drug Mart is offering free gift cards to restaurants, but only if you drop a significant amount of cash this weekend. The dinning gift cards will be given out to shoppers who spend fifty dollars or more on May 9th or 10th, 2009. Here is how the deal works;

- Spend $50 or more and get a free $10 restaurant gift card.
- Spend $75 or more and get a free $20 restaurant gift card.

The restaurant gift cards are good at Swiss Chalet, Montana’s (We recommend the Canadian Burger), Kelsey’s, Harvey’s or Milestones. The dinning gift cards are only good until May 31st, 2009 which should be plenty of time to have an evening out. If you don’t want the gift card or don’t plan on dinning out you can always sell your gift card online. Just set up a gift card auction on Giftah and get cash for your card.

Prince Edward Island (P.E.I.) will join other Canadian provinces in regulating consumer gift cards from retail stores. The Attorney General Gerard Greenan says the government has received many gift card related complaints from the provinces consumers who had been surprised with short expiration dates, service fees or stores giving gift cards for returned merchandise instead of cash refunds. Greenan said the new legislation would ensure that consumers can make a purchase with a gift card without having to worry about it expiring or its balance being deducted. Currently Quebec and Newfoundland and Labrador are the only provinces that do not legislate gift cards.

Giftah strongly supports any legislation to combat expiry dates or balance deductions on gift cards. No matter how much time has passed since a gift cards purchase there is no legitimate reason why it should expire or lose its balance. If retailers do not like keeping track of old card balances then we can all go back to paper gift certificates and cash refunds on merchandise returns. If your do get stuck with a gift card you don’t want or need you can sell your gift card on Giftah.

If you are in the market for some new patio furniture Canadian Tires new promotion is for you. The company is offering Canadian Tire gift cards to any customer purchasing patio furniture before May 22nd, 2009. The amount of the gift card varies depending on the cost of your patio furniture. Basically the more you spend the larger your gift card will be;

- Spend $299.99-399.99 and receive a $75 Canadian Tire Gift Card
- Spend $400-499.99 and receive a $100 Canadian Tire Gift Card
- Spend $500-699.99 and receive a $150 Canadian Tire Gift Card
- Spend $700-899.99 and receive a $200 Canadian Tire Gift Card
- Spend $900 and receive a $300 Canadian Tire Gift Card.

The Canadian Tire gift card promotion for patio furniture is an attractive incentive. Actually getting the card is a bit of a hassle, but definitely worth the time and effort. To receive the rebate you must buy the patio furniture before the expiry date and send in a mail in rebate [PDF] before June 22nd, 2009. Not as easy as the cashier handing you your card, but if you are looking for patio furniture you may was well get a big Canadian Tire gift card with it. Even if you do not usually shop at Canadian Tire you can always get cash for your gift card by selling it on Giftah.

Not many people think about the economic impact of plastic gift cards, after all they are relatively small compared to the wrapping paper and boxes of a large present. In reality 10 billion plastic gift cards are produced every year, most of them end up hitting the land fills. Despite their small size, gift cards ecological footprint can be huge. Gift cards contain polyvinyl chloride (PVC) an extremely toxic compound that is a known carcinogen. Other toxins in gift cards include chlorine residue and heavy metal pollutants. Those 10 billion gift cards produced each year contribute 75 to 100 million pounds of toxic plastic that will site in landfills leaking toxins for the duration of their long lifespan.

Thankfully recycling programs and new materials are being put in place to combat the negative environmental impact of gift cards. Earthworks, a green manufacturing company has been collecting consumer’s gift cards and credit cards to make 100% recycled. The earth works system not only reduces cards environmental impact it creates a product with real value making Earthworks a truly sustainable business.

Creating gift cards out of bioplastics may be another way to reduce or even eliminate the environmental impact of gift cards. Bioplastic gift cards are made from renewable sources such as cornstarch and vegetable oil rather than petroleum based plastics. Mirel a corn based biodegradable plastic created by Metabolix has been adopted by a few large retailers. In 2007 Target sold Mirel gift cards in 129 of its stores. Commercial retailers are rapidly adopting greener business practices as their customers demand it. Recycling, bioplastics or digital distribution all contribute to reducing the amount of harmful chemicals. Any thing that creates more sustainable business practices and a cleaner environment is a step in the right direction.

Legislation sponsored by New Jersey Assmblywoman Connie Wagner aims to protect consumers in the state who purchase prepaid gift cards and prepaid bank cards. The law aims to regulate expiry dates and dormancy fees for gift cards in the state. The bill passed through the Assembly Consumer Affairs Committee 3 to 2 and will now be reviewed by the New Jersey Assembly Speaker who will decide if the bill makes it to the floor. If the bill is then passed it will;

- Prohibit the expiration of prepaid bank and gift cards within a 2 year period of their sale.

- Prohibit the charging of any dormancy fee within a 2 year period following the date of the sale by the original purchaser of the card. A 2 year period prohibiting any dormancy charges will also follow the most recent transaction on the card.

- Any dormancy fee will, where applicable will be limited to no more then $2 per month. The retailer will also need to provide appropriate disclosure of the cards expiration date and dormancy fees.

These proposed rules governing the sale of prepaid gift cards are an important step to protect consumer’s rights. Billions of dollars of gift cards expire or are lost every single year. Gift cards are very small and easy to lose, if you have a gift card you are not planning on using soon it is better to sell the gift card or trade it for a gift card you will use. The longer you hang onto gift cards the more likely it is you will lose it or the gift card will expire.

This Sunday is Mother’s Day, and if this is the first you have heard about it a gift card might be a good idea. By now most of the good gifts could already be off the shelf and many florists are already struggling to keep up with demand. Yes gift cards can be impersonal and mom would much rather have a home made card or breakfast in bed. However, for many children time is money and these days many people do not have much of either. Although a gift card is not the most personal gift a person can buy it is cost effective and as long as you know what store mom shops at she will love it to.

If your looking for inspiration think about hobbies your mother enjoys. If she likes gardening gift cards a Home Depot gift card may be a good idea. Don’t get a gift card to a small local garden center, as they are usually only open during the summer months and could go out of business at any time. Local spa gift cards can also be a great gift, but again try to purchase them from a spa your mom frequents or a spa chain that is on firm financial ground.

If you completely misread your mother’s likes and get her a gift card to a store she never shops at do the right thing. Be a good son or daughter and teach your mom how to sign up for Giftah and help her sell the unwanted gift cards for cash. Happy Mothers day from Giftah : )

If you have an old Walmart gift card lying around the house and can’t remember if there is any balance left on the gift card you have come to the right place. It is easy to check the balance on Walmart’s gift cards; the company has provided the following three methods for checking their gift cards balance.

1) Check Walmart Gift Card Balance By Phone, Call 1-888-537-5503
2) Check The Walmart Gift Card Balance Online, Click Here.
3) Check Your Walmart Gift Card Balance At Any Walmart Location.

After you determine the balance on your gift card you can go to Walmart and buy something or you can sell your gift card. Giftah offers cash for unwanted gift cards, just go to Giftah.com and list your gift card for sale on the site.