National Use Your Gift Card Day

Written by: Michael Rodriguez - (updated: January 17th, 2025 at 9:20AM)

National Use Your Gift Card Day is a celebration unlike any other! This festive occasion is all about encouraging folks to dig out those forgotten or overlooked gift cards and put them to good use. It's a fun, practical way to reduce waste, get organized, and show appreciation for the thoughtfulness and generosity of the people who gave them to us.

Before we dive into the nitty-gritty of this unique day, let's take a moment to appreciate the role of gift cards in our lives. According to the National Retail Federation, gift cards have held the title of the most popular gift item for an impressive 14 consecutive years, with over 60% of consumers specifically requesting them as gifts. Yet, despite their popularity, it's estimated that billions of dollars worth of gift cards go unredeemed each year. That's a staggering amount of waste, and precisely what National Use Your Gift Card Day aims to combat.

Reducing Waste, One Gift Card at a Time

The concept behind National Use Your Gift Card Day is straightforward: take those forgotten cards gathering dust in your wallet or purse and use them to treat yourself or someone you care about. By doing so, you'll not only be reducing waste but also showing appreciation for the thought behind the gift. It's a win-win situation!

But what if you've misplaced your gift card? Don't sweat it! Many retailers allow you to check your gift card balance online or by phone. You can also try to recover a lost card by contacting the retailer or checking your email for digital copies. And if all else fails, you can always turn to gift card aggregators to help you keep track of your balances.

Decluttering and Organizing Your Gift Cards

National Use Your Gift Card Day also presents the perfect opportunity to declutter your wallet or purse and get organized. Spend some time sorting through your gift cards, checking balances and expiration dates, and consider stashing them in a safe place or using a dedicated gift card organizer. You might be surprised at how much easier it is to keep track of your cards once you've got a system in place!

Remember, you can also use this day to treat yourself to something you've been eyeing or to buy a gift for someone special. After all, that's the purpose of gift cards, isn't it?

Making the Most of National Use Your Gift Card Day

So, how can you truly make the most of National Use Your Gift Card Day? Here are a few ideas to get you started:

• Use those gift cards! Treat yourself to something you've been wanting or use your gift card to buy a gift for someone special.
• Get organized! Take some time to sort through your gift cards, check balances and expiration dates, and consider stashing them in a safe place or using a gift card organizer.
• Declutter your wallet or purse! Get rid of old, expired gift cards and make room for new ones.
• Spread the word! Share your National Use Your Gift Card Day experiences on social media and encourage your friends and family to join in on the fun.

By embracing the spirit of National Use Your Gift Card Day, you'll be doing your part to reduce waste, get organized, and appreciate the generosity of those who gifted you these cards in the first place. So, what are you waiting for? Dig out those gift cards and start celebrating!

Happy National Use Your Gift Card Day!