7 ways to make the most of gift cards (poll) 

I personally don't like gift cards because they make you spend more money than the card is worth.

I prefer them, since if nothing else, I can apply them to a larger value item to bring down my personal cost. Also, they make great makeshift bookmarks after the fact.

Here is a cool trick I learned today. Here is what you need to do when you buy something on a gift card but qualify for a store charge card discount. Split your transaction into two: charge your store card a small amount (like $1) and charge the rest to the gift card. This way you will get the discount for your entire purchase, and still use your gift card for the most of the charge. I did this today at Kohl's. Beware that other stores may have different policies.

#3 works

3. Pair your gift card with a coupon

Saved a lot with this at children's place $20 GC on $40 purchase which also stacked with 30% off entire purchase

I am a big proponent of gift cards as we use them a significant fundraiser for our synagogue. Even as a relatively small organization (250 families), we are profiting over $5000 a year by selling them. Personally, we stock up weekly with our local grocery chains and Dunkin Donuts; monthly we keep supplied with retailers like Walmart, Kohls, CVS, Walgreens, Advance Auto Parts, Amazon, Macys; and a reasonable supply of favorite restaurant chains like Red Robin, Bertuccis, Papa Ginos, Applebees, etc.
We pay the synagogue full face value, so we spend no more than we would. The synagogue in turn buys them from a reseller at a discount, averaging about 5%. (1% for gas stations, 2% Walmart, 4% grocers and Dunkies and Starbucks, about 8% for most restaurants, and we love Bath and Body Works at 19%.). They regularly also send coupons along too.