We know all too well that life can change in an instant. When a crisis or big life event takes place, one of the first things that people say is “Let me know how I can help.” Setting up a Gift Card Train is one of the best ways to send and receive immediate support to a loved one in need, from anywhere.
Here are a few reasons why:
There are plenty of different types of gift cards to help address the recipients’ immediate and future needs. If a family has lost everything to a house fire, they may have more unconventional needs like a gift card to help put a temporary roof over their heads. If a recipient recently received a medical diagnosis, a night out for ice cream might be just what the doctor ordered. If you’re unsure of the type of food to order, a food delivery gift card allows everyone to get exactly what they want, when they want it. If you’re unsure, see our recommended list of products by Situation to see what gift cards are most helpful to your recipient(s).
People who are experiencing a disruption in their life — expected or unexpected — may not always know what they need. One veteran of home loss we know pointed out than when fleeing a mass crisis, there is no particular plan set in place. Regardless of the situation, their new reality requires community support as they find their way through all kinds of challenges.
By anticipating their needs with gift cards at the ready, recipients can adapt to their every-changing new reality and still have the basic necessities (food, clothing, and shelter) provided to them when they need it.
People facing crisis may have difficulty asking for help. Gift cards make this easier. Giving loved ones the ability to decide what is useful for them and use it at their discretion affirms their dignity and enables their ability to make choices. More importantly, gift cards allow people to hang on to cash for other needs. Digital gift cards are easy to give, easy to claim, and easy to use.
This article originally appeared on Giveinkind.com and was syndicated by MediaFeed.org.
More from MediaFeed:
8 Gifts Cards That Are Way Better Gifts Than Cash
When it comes to giving someone you know a gift, whether it be out of the colossal kindness inside of your heart or because of a celebratory occasion like a birthday or graduation ceremony, it generally pays off to let them pick out their own present. That’s why straight cash has been a long-time favorite of gift recipients everywhere; even young children understand the value of money and are usually excited to receive it as a gift, so long as their parents let them spend it on something they want.
In conjunction with receiving cash to commemorate special events and in recognition of achieving impressive accomplishments, many folks receive gift cards as an alternative, somewhat more formal way of gifting money. Gift cards don’t entail any specific item or product, but they do give the recipient access to merchandise, services, and related amenities from specific brands and retailers. This can be a great gift when you know the kind of retailers the person you are buying for frequently shops at, since it allows you to avoid making any major decision regarding gift-giving outside of choosing the gift card itself.
If you aren’t sure what stores someone prefers, then you may want to avoid giving them a gift card that locks them into shopping at a particular retailer. In this scenario it may be better to go with a cash gift that can be used any way they please, though there are gift card options such as Visa or Mastercard gift cards that can be used for purchases at a variety of different retailers.
There’s a lot to like about gift cards and, in terms of gift-giving, the presentation of a gift card is much more pleasant than cash. Gift cards make paying for things way more convenient and saves you room in your wallet, sparing you from the pain of too many dollar bills jumbled up inside. It’s rather embarrassing to be digging around in your wallet for money while you hold up the checkout line; pay quickly and hassle-free with a gift card!
Related: Unlocking the Magic: How Gift Cards Breathe New Life into Gifting Traditions
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For when you want to eat restaurant-grade food without leaving the house
Get food delivered on-demand right to your front door when you use DoorDash for all of your mobile ordering needs. This food delivery service is one of many that has changed the way we dine out (or rather, dine in) at our favorite restaurants and eating establishments.
Many of us live for the full restaurant experience – being waited on by an attentive server, snacking on delicious appetizers, and relishing in the laid-back ambiance of casual dining. However, sometimes we simply want to dine on high-quality restaurant fare without having to leave the house and deal with other people, traffic, wait times, and all that jazz. DoorDash allows customers to bypass the bad stuff and enjoy great cuisine from the comfort of your living room couch. Choose from local food joints in your area and order a variety of tasty dishes from all kinds of different cultures including Mexican, Indian, Chinese, Greek, and much more.
Pick up a DoorDash gift card and earn cash back!
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Shop hot designs for fashion-forward young men and women
New clothes are always a gift to be excited over, but when you don’t know someone’s size or fashion preferences there’s a lot of room for error. That’s why a gift card to a clothing retailer is much better than gifting new apparel on its own, and Rue21 certainly has an impressive legion of fashionable finds to transform your wardrobe into a dimension of style.
Rue21 serves as one of the leading fast-fashion brands in the nation, operating more than six hundred stores to deliver you the latest fashion trends without the hefty price tag. Fresh, affordable new trends are Rue21’s speciality; from new jeans you can wear everyday to go-to graphic tees, fabulous footwear, smart dresses, and an army of must-have accessories and beauty products, you can shop and stock up on all of your favorite finds for the season.
Earn cash back on a Rue21 gift card!
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Enhance the style of your space with timeless furnishings
Having a home to decorate and furnish is definitely something to be grateful for, but the cost of household necessities can put a huge dent in your bank account before long. A gift card to Pottery Barn can make all the difference for folks who want to add a little lavish pizzazz to their household.
Pottery Barn is an upscale home furnishing retailer that provides furniture, bedding, bath, rugs, decor, window accessories, drinkware, and more. Their collections are inspired by the seasons, such as floral-print bedsheets in anticipation of spring, setting your household up just in time for the changing weather. Pottery Barn also provides design resources with a lookbook featuring styles for the season, along with bedding looks, pillow pairings, and table settings.
There’s a lot to be smitten with at Pottery Barn, from the expertly crafted furniture pieces to timeless and long-lasting decor. Be sure to pick up a Pottery Barn gift card so you can save with cash back.
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Fill up on the best handcrafted cuisine this side of the Mason-Dixon line
Give the gift of a delicious night out at one of the most loved steakhouse chains in the country with a Texas Roadhouse gift card. Serving American fare with a Southwestern spin amidst a dining environment filled with Texas-themed decor, this legendary steak restaurant is always serving something to write home about.
Texas Roadhouse is celebrated for its premium hand-cut steaks and mouthwatering tender ribs, which are enough to make any carnivore drool. In addition to made-from-scratch sides like buttery mashed potatoes and fresh-baked rolls served with sweet cinnamon butter, Texas Roadhouse offers an impressive selection of strong cocktails and margaritas to enhance your evening out. To top it all off, the portions at Texas Roadhouse are large and in charge so you’ll always get more bang for your buck.
Score cash back on a Texas Roadhouse gift card!
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For the beauty connoisseurs and fearless creatives looking to make a mark
Makeup opens up many doorways for folks to express themselves and experiment with the countless possible looks out there. Whether it’s time to prep for prom or because you simply want to touch up your appearance before going out with some friends, having the right makeup on hand can make all the difference.
Shop all of the cosmetics brands you love at Sephora, your multinational retailer of personal care and beauty products. Sephora carries over three hundred beloved brands along with their own private label, Sephora Collection. Some of the beauty products sold at your local Sephora include products for skincare, cosmetics, body, fragrance, nail color, lotions, haircare, and beauty tools. Browse stunning eyeshadow palettes, makeup blenders, nail polish, perfume and cologne, face oils, foundation, shower gel, exfoliants and scrubs, dry shampoo, and many more must-have items.
Give the everlasting gift of beauty with a Sephora gift card and earn easy cash back!
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Create something wonderful after you shop at this retailer
This specialty retail company provides everything under the sun for crafts and personal projects. Joann Fabrics carries one of the largest selections of fabric of any retailer, including fabric for apparel, flannel, fleece, and cotton. All of their fabric can be cut by the yard or may be purchased pre-cut to suit the needs of your project.
For folks not looking for fabric, Joann offers a lot more in terms of crafting materials and artistic supplies. They have sewing supplies, home decor, storage accessories, yarn, knitting and crochet supplies, embroidery and cross stitch materials, paper crafts, bakeware, art kits, and so much more lining the shelves of their stores. Any creative-minded individual with a passion for making what they love is sure to love stocking up on everything Joann Fabrics has to offer.
Pick up a gift card to Joann Fabrics for an easy way to earn cash back!
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Browse thousands of titles for modern and classic video games
Need a gift card for a major video game retailer? GameStop operates thousands of locations across the country and exists as the world’s largest retailer for video games and top trade-in destination for Xbox, Playstation, and Nintendo games, consoles, systems, and accessories.
The average GameStop location has a massive inventory of games for a range of video game systems. You can find many titles for the PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X, Switch, and older consoles available at your local GameStop. Games can be purchased new or used, which can end up saving you a fair bit of money. GameStop also sells other consumer electronics and loads of pop culture merchandise, typically from franchises popular in the video game industry. It’s a great place for both serious gamers and casual enjoyers to indulge in their shared love of video games.
Earn cash back when you buy a GameStop gift card!
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Shop at any retailer you want with this versatile gift card
A Visa gift card can be used at many different retailers to purchase a variety of things. It is not bound by brand or location, which is true of most retail gift cards. Whether you want to eat out at your favorite restaurant, shop a local boutique for fashionable finds, or spend an evening at the movie theater with your friends, a Visa gift card can help you purchase it all.
Pick up a Visa gift card!
This article originally appeared on GiftCardGranny.com and was syndicated by MediaFeed.org.
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