Are Gift Cards the Best Gift?

January's retail sales strength is reflected in people redeeming their Christmas gift cards. The average adult received 3.2 gift cards this holiday season, up from 2.5 gift cards last year. Gift cards are more popular and this also moves spending into January. Consumers are also interested in receiving gift cards at other times that just at Christmas.

A survey by Deloitte & Touche USA found:

• 80% of adults received at least one gift card to an apparel or food store


• 33% received at least one gift card to a restaurant


• 14% received one gift card to a mall or shopping center


• 10% received a gift card that could be used at a variety of stores (e.g., an American Express gift card)


• 5% received at least one for a personal service such as a manicure or massage


• 5% received at least one gift card for an Internet site (e.g., ebay, Amazon)

Price ranges for gift cards ranged from $78 for an American Express card, while the lowest was for a $32 restaurant card. Bank gift cards are more likely to be used in January. Nearly 74% of these gift cards have been redeemed or partially redeemed by the end of January.

People were more likely to buy full price retail items with their gift cards. Many analysts believe the "gift" aspect allows consumers to treat themselves to new full-priced merchandise.

Retailers also benefit when consumers redeem a gift card, nearly 62% spend more than the face value of the card. This is an opportunity for retailers to increase sales, as sales cannot be reported until the gift card is redeemed.

Consumers also expressed an interest in receiving gift cards for other holidays. For example, a gift card for an "experience" is widely received as a result of people being time-pressed. Getting a gift card for a trip to a restaurant or massage or even a weekend getaway seems to be a trend people are enjoying.

Teens enjoy gift cards because they are more eager to shop with their friends and are more apt to redeem their cards quicker than adults. The survey showed teens redeemed 76% of their gift cards vs. 61% of adults.

Gift cards keep on giving, after the holidays, especially for retailers. Gift cards are here to stay. Consumers enjoy using them and retailers enjoy getting them. Gift cards are an appropriate gift for all occasions.

Stuart Simpson is the author and runs a web site to promote and gather information about gift cards at [http://www.best-gift-card.com/articles/index.html]

Food to Serve at Sock Hop Parties This Summer

Start your sock hop off right by providing the best food! You can even make the meals even more special by having people dress up in hip hop attire, such as 50's poodle skirts and greaser outfits. There are plenty of options for you to choose from to have the ultimate 1950s sock hop meal.

You could try to keep the food similar to items that were eaten during the 1950s. One consideration is to parody a soda shop. Serve a hamburger with a basket of fries, or a hot dog and a basket of onion rings. Top it off with old fashioned soda.

For dessert you could serve shakes and malts. These can be easy to make yourself with the help of a few blenders. You could also make a float easily by pouring some root beer over vanilla ice cream.

If floats and shakes do not hit the spot offer ice cream sundaes. Ice creams sundaes are easy to make, and are delicious. Put out toppings for guests to top their sundaes off the way they like.

If you are hosting a sock hop for a large crowd, a buffet is your best bet. Keep the menu to finger foods. Some ideas: Mini pizzas, giant deli sandwiches, chicken wings, chicken strips, meatballs, veggies and dip. If you are serving items that require dips, such as chicken strips, be sure the offer a few different sauces for guests to try such as ranch, honey mustard, BBQ, etc.

You can prepare some food ahead of time and keep them heated with a warming tray. This could be a good idea so you do not have to worry about preparing everything on the spot. If you do not have a warming tray you could also keep food warm by setting the oven to its lowest setting, or lower than 200 degrees.

You should also have some food out that people can munch on while mix and mingling. Some good snack ideas are pretzels, cheese, nuts, chips, popcorn or even candy. Be sure to have a few dips around for chips to make it more fun to eat.

If you are serving food, have the servers dress up in 50's poodle skirts or 50's attire. 50's Poodle skirts are the most recognizable 50s costume, though there are other options available to servers as well. For a fun touch, have server's dressed up in 50's poodle skirts or 50's outfits use roller skates when taking care of meals.

Hip Hop 50's Shop specializes in Children and Adult Poodle Skirts, crinoline slips, saddle oxford shoes and complete 50's costumes. We are passionate about Sock Hops and the 1950's, so our experts share tons of advice and tips on our blog. Come visit anytime.

Motor Bikes Posters - Speedily Available Through Internet

Sound, sight and speed have fueled up popularity of motor bikes posters. Although, contributions of celebs and formula one star icons have sheer share in influencing young minds to ignite passion for these posters too. With latest designs, heavy construction, sleek and steel body, hardcore tyres inclined in various postures - these motor bikes posters and calendars are extremely vivid. What's even better? These posters and calendars are ready to be accessible through Internet directly on the walls of bike lovers. If anyone is interested to set his or her walls on fire with the hot wheels and dying to add 'Brooom, Brooom, Brooom' effects - simply import these posters from world wide web.

Speed of Internet based services perfectly match the dust-raising speed of motor bikes. Motor bikes on the posters and calendars boast of countless styles and shades. Being flashed in fiery colors, inclined on sometimes right or left angeled, sometimes almost paralleled to the motor racing alley and sometimes simply flying overhead - bikes posters like their original models give an adrenaline rush to the bike lovers. It is so easy to get bowled over by versatility of models and movements of motor bikes. These unblemished posters are the easiest and most common evidences to it - without even keeping an eye on the racing alley or TV channels.

From the very initial stage, motor bike riding caste strong and stylish impressions exemplifying ruthlessness, courageousness and toughness of nature. Motor bike riders like their vehicles are really swift to create an impact on their viewers' minds as well as swift to become style gods. And, so are the motor bikes posters which are simply going steady and fast to occupy significant space in the poster lovers' minds - regardless of men and women, ages and race. Serving myriad purposes including gifting ideas for birthdays, special days, anniversaries, decorations, inspirations or simply to flaunt one's rough 'n' tough nature - these motor bikes posters and calenders getting 'super-hot' items available online.

About The Author: Patrick Arden is a professional writer, presently providing content services to http://www.stickitonyourwall.com, which is a well known firm for buying posters & calendars online at lowest prices.

American Chopper Games for the Aspiring Young Rider

One of the best things about the American Choppers is that it gives fathers and sons of America something to bond over. The interactions that come within watching the show and talking about the manly motor stuff truly goes beyond the actual conversation. It is true that any help men can get in terms of ways they can better bond with their sons truly make an impact. Here is a great universal game you can use to get the dads involved in a father-son celebration moment: the American Choppers Treasure Hunt.

Okay, so what do you need to do? It is quite simple really; you will make a list of manly-toys (otherwise known as tools) to hide and create a treasure hunt. When preparing your list of tolls for this game, definitely enroll the father-type figure to assist in figuring out what what-cha-ma-hooz and gimo-de-gadgets to include in your list. A simple stroll through the garage should be sufficient.

Once the list is done, gather the items on the list and hide them prior to the big hunt. A helpful hint is to record where each item is hidden so as not to have to deal with a crabby daddy with missing tools later on. Now once they are hidden, get creative and make a list of fun riddles to help find the items.

When the party games start, get ready for a great time. Prepared with a list of riddles in hand, one adult and one child pair up before they head out on this adventure. Search within the pre-designated area for the items on the list. Herein you can have a lot of fun by including prizes for those that gather the most items, the least items, and specific items on the list. Last but not least, remember to have fun and remain in good spirits.

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