The Gift Card, much like a holiday greeting card, are sent by the utility to the giver, who can present it personally, or they are mailed directly to customers to notify them that their bill will be credited.

“Family members want to help others’ family members that they know are struggling,” she said. “It’s a better gift than something they don’t need, like a new TV.”

Find out how Gift Cards can help your business during the recession by contacting an industry leader like Signature Card.

Custom gift cards are the most innovative and creative way to advertise your products and services. You will be able to get the word out with a plastic card into many people’s hands to use as soon as possible and use repeatedly. You can customize the amounts, items, and include discounts for frequent buyers. Whether you create your own or piggyback off stock designs, you will be able to add your logo, motto, and colorful eye-catching graphics to encourage use and enthusiasm.

How popular are gift cards with consumers? They’re such a hit that two-thirds of consumers receive gift cards, driving a growing market that soared to $100 billion in 2007.  With so many customers using the cards these days, it’s no wonder why more retailers have turned to custom gift cards as a popular way to attract customers. The cards are great for gift giving and every day use.

Over the past 5 years Plastic Gift Cards have burst into the retail scene. By 2006, 82% of retailers were using the Plastic Gift Cards. Just 3 years earlier only about one-third of retailers offered these cards.

You would be hard pressed now to find a retailer that does not offer them. You can’t put a Happy Meal, a latte or a tank of gas under the Christmas tree but you sure can wrap up a nice plastic gift card! You choose the denomination and the scene on the card.

Gift cards are among the main holiday and special occasion purchases each year. The reason: convenience. They’re easy to purchase and they’re easy to redeem.