Here’s a Diwali Gift that could never go wrong

Picture this: It’s Diwali in 2011. As the tradition goes, you get gifts from family and friends. You’ve got a hair dryer, a mobile phone, some chocolates, an expensive  watch and yet another hair dryer. While you are happy to get the gifts, what you would have actually loved, was an iPad. But,  sadly, you are left with a life long supply of hair dryers, one more addition to your watch collection. You already have an iPhone, so you simply pass on the gifted mobile to your kid sister. Wouldn’t it be lovely if your could have a gift of your choice? So, this Diwali, you want to give a gift that the receiver actually wants. Unless you don’t mind giving a bunch of impersonal greens into the hand of the person whom you plan to give the gift, cash is a good option. But, there’s another option. The gift card - it’s a gift that can never go wrong. To know more read on. Simply put a gift card is a card which is pre-loaded with cash, so we can say it’s actually a pre-paid card which is specially designed for occasions like Diwali, Christmas and such. Most banks today sell such cards. Where all the user can use it? The user can use the card at any retail store, mall, even petrol pumps, restaurants etc. Pretty much anywhere Mastercard and Visa cards are accepted since they are the service providers for such cards. Some gift cards allow the [caption id=“attachment_523143” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Imagine a card, that you can use, over time, for a gift that you really want. AFP[/caption] user to make online shopping purchases as well. The user can’t use the card to withdraw cash, but he can use it at an ATM with a PIN (which comes along with the card) to find out the balance on the card. The card can be used multiple times, and the user doesn’t need to use all the funds in a single swipe. Amount: The amount you (gifter) can put in a card varies from bank to bank. Usually, the minimum is Rs 500 and the maximum Rs 50,000. Usually the card comes with a validity of two to three years. You (gifter) will need to pay a nominal issuance fee of around Rs 50 to Rs 100 to buy a gift card. You (gifter) can even apply for the gift card online with the bank where you already have an account and they offer such a product. This will however vary from bank to bank. Most major banks like SBI, Central Bank of India, HDFC bank, Kotak Mahindra Bank, Axis Banks offer such a product. Best part: The best part about a gift card is that unlike gift vouchers from retail outlets, shopping malls and stores, the receiver of the gift card does not to be tied to any particular store. For instance, if you give a gift voucher for a bookstore, guess what the receiver has to buy? Giving and receiving gifts is what makes the festive season special, and if you get just the right gift, it’s like a cherry on the cake. Oops! It’s like extra cashew on the besan ka ladoo. So get smart this Diwali and give a gift (card), after all it will be a gift that will never go wrong.