How many unused gift cards do you own? I've got my collection down to about a dozen and it's taken some work to get that total down that low. I am you prototypical person that is "hard to buy for". So my friends and family get me gift cards for my birthday and Christmas gifts. Works for me. Except that I forget that I've got take them with me to the places that they came from.
Many people don't realize that gift cards in Montana do not expire. Businesses have to honor them no matter how long you keep them. However, if you have a Shopko card, use it. With bankruptcy kicking in, the 11 stores in Montana will only honor them until April 20th...