It seems that every person has at least one person on their gift list that they have no idea what to get them.

You know the type.

Either they have everything they ever wanted or they are incredibly picky.

Either way, you're now left wondering what to get them.

These are the top reasons you may want to consider giving that hard-to-buy-for person on your list a gift card:

• Gift cards come in a variety of designs making it pretty easy to find one for your specific situation
• Gift cards can be purchased for just about any well-known chain of department stores, coffee shops, sporting goods stores, bookstores, etc.
• Gift cards can be purchased for various denominations suitable for any budget
• Gift cards are inexpensive to mail to friends and family out of town
• Gift cards don't require expensive boxes, wrapping, and bows
• Gift cards are the next best thing to cash
• Gift cards are a favorite of kids and teens because they feel grown up spending them and they feel like they are in control of buying what they want
• The CoinStar machines allow you to redeem your entire transaction amount if you purchase gift cards whereas you are charged a fee if you redeem your loose change for cash.
• Gift cards to restaurants are great ideas for elderly couples who like to eat out a lot. My grandparents loved gift cards to their favorite restaurants because it meant they didn't have to carry cash.
• It's a great way to introduce someone to a store you feel they may like but may not have ever tried. For kids, it's a great way to encourage reading if you give them a gift card to a bookstore.
• Gift cards to specific establishments make great gifts for college students when you're trying to limit where they spend their money.
• The Visa and Mastercard gift cards make great gifts for people who do not have credit cards. It allows them to make purchases for gasoline at the pump or for buying items online where they otherwise would not be able to.
• Many of the cards can be topped off with more money by the recipient or someone else making this item an ongoing convenience for them.
• Gift cards make great stocking stuffers.
• Gift cards make great gifts for bosses and co-workers.
• Gift cards make great gifts for your child's teacher(s).
• Gift cards are nice to have on hand when you don't have time to shop for something else.
• If for some reason you don't see someone during the holiday season that you expected to see, you can now use the gift card yourself.

You may want to consider the following if you've decided to buy someone a gift card.

• Make sure you know if there is an expiration on the card. A few people have been caught out on this one. Gift certificates are the same way.
• Are you positive the person you're buying it for shops at the store you've chosen a gift card from? You don't want to necessarily buy a card to somewhere they have no interest in going.
• Remember that the denomination of your gift will often require the recipient to put money with it in order to buy something. It can sometimes be difficult to find something in the amount you have given if they don't have the money to put with it.
• Losing a card is like losing cash, there is a level of responsibility in having one.