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The secret life of gift cards: Here’s what happens to the billions that go unspent each year (2024)

While it may take gift cards years to expire, experts say it’s still wise to spend them quickly.

Gift cards makegreat stocking stuffers— just as long as you don’t stuff them in a drawer and forget about them after the holidays.

Americans are expected to spendnearly $30 billion on gift cardsthis holiday season, according to the National Retail Federation. Restaurant gift cards are the most popular, making up one-third of those sales.

Most of those gift cards will be redeemed. Paytronix, which tracks restaurant gift card sales, says around 70% of gift cards are used within six months.