Gift cards are the most frequently requested gift during the holiday season, yet not all cards are as highly prized as the giver might hope. In fact, an
estimated $60 billion worth of gift cards go unredeemed each year.
Rather than toss Aunt Edna's thoughtful present into a dresser drawer, a recipient can bring it out into the fresh air for
Gift Card Exchange Day. Scheduled for Dec. 26, this one-day online event (developed by the creators of Gift Card Granny) will help consumers exchange their unwanted gift card for cash, or for an Amazon gift card. The date was selected because cardholders typically receive the best rates from resellers who want to encourage sales and restock depleted inventories.
"We also created the holiday as an annual reminder for cardholders," said event founder Luke Knowles. "They're less likely to forget unwanted cards if they have an opportunity to exchange them for cash."
Here's how it works: The day after Christmas consumers can visit
GiftCardExchangeDay.com; enter the card value and the merchant's name; click on "Get Offers" and instantly receive bids from companies interested in purchasing the card.
Once the cash arrives, shoppers can either use it to offset their holiday spending or purchase something they really want.