It is really important to get people creative birthday presents. After all, half of the fun is not knowing what you are going to get. Nonetheless, sometimes people think too hard about these things. Sometimes, it is better to get something simple and straightforward. After all, strange books that you think your friend might like, unusual CDs, funny T-shirts, and all the rest of the creative gifts don't always work. Gift certificates, on the other hand, are always a treat.

Everyone loves a gift certificate. You see, if you just give someone money, they might feel the need to be responsible with it. They might think that, since the money is there, the best thing to do is pay bills. With gift certificates, however, you give people a license to indulge themselves. After all, they can't use the gift card for anything else but buying things, so why not enjoy it?

I've noticed something recently. It is funny, but the people who seem to enjoy gift certificates the most are the ones who are the thriftiest. I have a friend who won't spend any money he doesn't have to usually. He saves every penny he can. Nonetheless, he is always ecstatic to get a gift certificate. I got him a spa gift card the other day, and he couldn't believe it. He prattled on and on about the spa vacation trip he was going to take for weeks. He talked about getting a full body massage, soaking in the hot tub, walking around in the woods - and all of this before he had even gone to the spa! There's something about his psychological makeup that makes him feel guilty about anything he can perceive as wasting money. Still, with a gift certificate, he has no choice. Therefore, he gets to enjoy himself.

Picking out what stores to get gift certificates to is not always so easy. Usually, unless I know what someone is interested in, I buy a gift certificate to a store that sells multiple kinds of things. Instead of buying a music gift card for example, I might give someone a visa certificate for Amazon.com, or Barnes & Noble. That way, they can get books, movies, CDs, or anything else that might want. Some malls even offer a gift certificate that will work at any store in the place. Although not all malls have this, it is getting more common. This is a great idea if you know someone likes to shop at a certain local mall.