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I cannot possibly count the number of times my grandmother has bought me sweaters don't fit. And of course I'll always remember the Christmas that my beloved aunt gave me lingerie because it somehow ended up in her shopping cart, she really just doesn't remember how. But what's so great about gift certificates? The answer is simple: everything!

Gift certificates have a bad reputation because they're considered "impersonal" by many. True, I would never buy those closest to me a gift certificate for that very reason; but for not-so-close friends, and especially for college students, receiving a gift certificate can be like receiving a gift from whatever higher power they may or may not believe in.

So, you've narrowed it down to a gift certificate. But for which store? Almost every business offers gift certificates, and this can make it tough to choose. Here are some tips for buying a great gift certificate.

1. Go local

Before you buy any gift certificate, find out which stores are close your college student's campus. Many gift certificates go unused because there is simply not a store within walking, or driving range (if your student is lucky and owns a car; many college students do not have this luxury). Check out the college's website or the city's website in which the college is located; these should both give you a good idea of which stores are in the area. If there aren't any stores within driving range of the school, consider giving them a gift certificate that can also be redeemed online; most stores have this option available.

2. Be general

Choose a store that sells everything, like Target, CVS, or Walgreens, unless you are sure you know which stores your recipient likes. Grocery stores like Festival Foods and Kroger's are also a good bet; every college student loves food and will eat just about anything they can get their hands on. For a sweet treat (or three), consider a gift certificate to ColdStone Creamery.

Of course, college is the dawning of the caffeine age for many students, so a gift certificate to Starbucks or Caribou Coffee is sure to be a hit. A Best Buy certificate is also a good option for techies. And don't forget Borders, Barnes and Noble, and Joseph Beth Booksellers. All three of these stores have something for everybody and usually have cafes in them, too.

3. Be generous

It doesn't take much to show generosity with gift certificates. I'm not talking fifty dollars, although if you'd like to give them fifty dollars, I'm sure they wouldn't complain who would? I'm speaking along the lines of $10-15. $10 is a pretty safe number, but don't go any lower sure, you can buy a box of granola bars with $5, but they'll be more likely to use the gift card if they can buy a CD or a book.

Keep these three tips in mind when picking and choosing a gift certificate, and you'll have a fail-proof gift for the college students on your Christmas shopping list!

Learn more about this author, Briana Murphy.
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