For our office, December is the best month of the year because even after the 13th month pay, we can still look forward to some bonus from the office. These additional bonuses usually come in the form of gift checks or groceries. Two years ago, each of us received a gift card to one of the biggest department store chains in the country. I used mine to buy gifts while others gave their gift cards as gifts. The idea of gift cards is great because the person you give the card to can buy what she wants and it’s less crass than giving money directly. But like gift checks, they work better if you purchase products of the exact or higher amount than the gift card because if you purchase something with a price lesser than the gift card or gift check, then you won’t get your change.


