1 Gift Card
$3 Billion (capital B) of gift cards go unspent each year. It's estimated $23-27 Billion is unclaimed in the US.
Time to spend yours!
Go to your gift card pile (you know you have one).
Close your eyes.
Pick one.
Commit to using it by November 2nd.
Invite that friend to coffee (remember to bring your own cup). Go to dinner with your partner. Buy a homeless person a shirt. Whatever, it's your gift and gifts shouldn't go to waste!
Today to November 2nd
You've probably had the card for years so let's get going.
Your gift card
Tell us about your gift
Something to think about. Starbucks reported breakage (Starbucks gift cards that will probably never get used and the company writes off the liability; Starbucks keeps the cash) of 2022 - $212million, 2023 - $215million, and 2024 - $207million. That may represent +/-126.8million cups, lids and straws not going into the landfill, so that's good. But that's also $600million+ that could have gone to something else (think of 5 something elses). Starbucks gave $15million to charity in 2024 (you do the math). (Not picking on Starbucks, their hot chocolate is tasty; just making a point.) As holiday season approaches, consider if a gift card really is a good gift (thank you TJ for using cardboard cards) that will actually, well, give. Some alternative ideas: Donate to a charity on their behalf. Buy treats they wouldn't buy themselves (oh those chili crips!). Actually have dinner with the person. Or perhaps best of all, nothing but a phone call or an invite to a house get-together (don't underestimate how meaningful this is to people). Lastly, give because you want to and how you want to (which may be not at all, you have permission, even with those kids in your life).
