Why You Should Be Extra-Wary of Gift Cards This Holiday Season

Both a lazy present and one that nearly two-thirds of Americans actually ask for, gift cards have become as much a part of the holiday season as candy canes, Santa Claus, and Christmas music. In fact, gift cards have been the most requested present for more than a decade, with 61% of Americans hoping to get them this year, according to data from the National Retail Federation (NRF). Sixty-nine percent of women have gift cards on their list, compared to 53% of men.

The American public clearly wants gift cards, but getting them can lead to problems. That's good news for stores, but a big potential problem for people on a budget.

Gift cards can push some people into overspending. Image source: Getty Images.

Source: Fool.com