Christmas is still half a year away from now. But, when you come to think of it well, you can never really go wrong with preparing for this busy season in your life early. No one likes the Christmas rush. In regular circumstances, the month leading to Christmas is always very hectic. Shoppers are everywhere and the list of things to buy goes and on and on. Not only are you fighting for space in the shops, but you’re also competing against other shoppers for items that may now be running out on the shelves.
As of writing, when you’re reading this, there may also be no certainty yet as to when shops can open for the general public. Christmas could potentially be so different, whereby everyone still has to stay home. So, gift-giving may also have to shift a bit. You have to adjust to fit budgetary constraints, and even that of physically going out.
Thankfully, technology has recently made a wide variety of gifting options available. Online shopping has also become well-favored by many. One of the choices of gifts that you can give for the holidays this year is a Mastercard gift card. It’s convenient, it enables the recipient to purchase many different things, at their liking, and it’s also budget-friendly.
Here, the discussion focuses on the last advantage of cost-reduction. That said, read through below to learn more about how you can save money by choosing to give a Mastercard gift card for Christmas.
1. It’s Safer Than Cash
Yes, the gift of cash is always a good choice. But unfortunately, when you put money in an envelope, there’s always that possibility that it might get lost. If you think that this is impossible as you’re very careful, think again. Especially during the holiday season, it can be very easy to lose track of the cash envelopes that’s inside your bag. Then, the same also holds for the recipient. When the days get so busy during the holiday rush, it’s always easy to misplace an envelope of cash.
When you’ve worked so hard to give that cash gift to your loved ones, the last thing that you’d want to happen is for it to get lost. This can be like throwing money down the drain for you. Right there and then, rather than saving money, you’ve instead wasted it.
With cash stored on plastic cards instead, there’s a lower risk of losing it. There’s that consciousness to store it directly in the wallet, or even spend it right away. So, you know that the purpose which you intended for the amount you placed in the card is achieved.
2. It Enables You to Give the Gift of Choice
How does the gift of choice translate to savings? When you’re giving the recipient of the gift of freedom to decide on what gift to purchase, you’re assured that what they buy is something that they want and need. It’s not something that you choose on yourself.
Especially when you’re confused as to what it is to give a person, don’t force it. Else, you might run the risk of just wasting money. Whatever gift you buy might be one that they already have, that they won’t ever get to use, or that isn’t even useful to them. With that, you’ve only just wasted money on things that do nothing but collect dust.
Had it been a Mastercard gift card, you’re guaranteed that they’ll spend that money wisely on something that they’ve long been wanting to buy. Then, your recipient ends up happier as well.
3. It Helps to Curb Overspending
This section applies to those of you parents with kids that you take out shopping on Christmas day. It’s always an exceptional experience for parents to go with their children to the shops on Christmas day, or the day after Christmas, to shop for their gifts. It’s also on this day that the prices drop quite a lot.
Unfortunately, despite the price drop of some popular toys and other things that your children will want to buy, it’s also highly likely for you to overspend. Especially during this once-in-a-year chance that you take your kids shopping, it can be tempting to give in to their whims. But, let’s be real, this will only hurt your budget.
Rather than paying at the counter yourself, give each of your kids a Mastercard gift card instead. That way, they’re responsible and conscious enough to stay within the budget. Even better yet, while your kids are enjoying their shopping spree, you’re also effectively teaching them suitable lessons on budgeting. Because they have a limit on the card, even young kids make an effort to choose now only those toys or things that they know they can afford for sure.
While your kids have the time of their life with their Christmas shopping spree, you can also relax with the thought that this time, you no longer have to worry about going over-the-budget, or having arguments with your kids, to force them to select cheaper items.
4. It Can Be Spent at Any Time
If the one receiving your Mastercard gift card doesn’t have the intention of spending the money on the card right away, then they also have this option. Generally, a Mastercard gift card can often last a year. So, this also makes for more practical purchases. Again, it boils down to giving the recipient that opportunity to spend the amount on something that they need, at a time when they need it.
Today, many people are getting more practical than ever, not just with the things they give, but even with the items they purchase with money received as gifts. This also gives that better level of assurance to you that your money is not wasted on simply buying anything right now, for the sake of using the gift card.
An additional bonus is the fact that the Mastercard gift card can also be spent on just about any store, both physical and online, that accepts Mastercard payments. So, the recipient also has an opportunity to choose the store to spend it on, and perhaps even wait for a sale period to come. In so doing, your card recipient can buy more for the budget that you placed inside the card.
Conclusion
With these, now it easy to see that giving gifts has never really been easier. For you, the giver, it’s more convenient both as to the time and to your budget. Then, for the recipient, it’s you’re giving them the gift of choice. This makes for a more special gift, as you know that what the recipient is buying through your Mastercard gift card is truly something that they want. Hence, for the next time that you’re going to have to give gifts, holiday or not, it’s worth considering going for a Mastercard gift card instead.
