Greetings!

I have a subway (or rather Mr. Beloved does) from last Christmas - probably expired now though.  I also have an itunes card that I have never used.  I believe those are the only two right at this moment, but in the past I have had gift certificates expire for manicures, restaurants, etc.

Probably the biggest one some people might not use up are airmiles.

Hope, peace, joy, love ...

What a wonderful idea. I don't think people think of gift cards quite like "money" yet, although they're definitely popping up everywhere this year. That's probably a factor in letting them rattle around in purses and drawers. Getting that value back into circulation in a charitable way is terrific.

If you end up with more tea than you can use - remember the food bank.  There are people out there that would love to have a cup of tea after a meal but who spend their money to buy milk for their kids.

This is interesting and I good idea, although I did buy my son some gift cerfificates for his favourite restaurant that he frequents with friends every Wednesday night. Now I'll be sure to remind him to use them!

I also heard another story about a group of Veterinarians and the food bank that are asking for food donations for peoples pets. They mention that while it seems extravagant that the "poor"  should even have a pet, they ask us all to remember that very often a pet is a very real comfort to shut ins, the lonely, and families. Quite often we forget the benefit pets are. They also asked that this should not replace giving to the food bank. Sometimes it's hard to have food for both.

http://news.therecord.com/News/Local/article/646451

The gift cards I get are presents from family and friends. I'm sure they intend for me to use them, and I will not disappoint them. If I were to do otherwise I would feel like I was implying that family love and friendship are meaningless.

Companies love gift cards.   They know a percentage of them will never again see the light of day, so that's free money to them.  That said, they don't want that liability lingering on their books for years, but the government is making them honour their old gift cards.  They can be safe in the knowledge that at least they don't have to pay interest on the money.

I don't give them, and I rarely receive them.  I found an old LCBO gift card once, won by my wife in a curling bonspiel.  I put it to good use.

It's not me.

Aquila - you have every right to do so, whether you are rich or poor.  Carry that gift card in your wallet for ten years in hope that you will be in that part of town and find something in that store that you might want.  Certainly no one can criticize you for it.  As for myself, I think that eventually I would be cleaning out my wallet and I would put the gift card in a drawer and forget about it.  Personally I would prefer to give it to charity where it might be put to good use.  To each his own - but I thought that you believed in charity.

Yes, seeler, I do. I simply give in other ways.

I received two gift cards for Chapters.  They were from family who live two provinces away.  They were much welcomed and will be put to good use.

I also received a gift card from an acquaintance.  If was for a store I almost never shop in, but my daughter does.  So it was regifted.  My joy will be in hearing that she got something for herself - she seldom does.