What are you wanting for Christmas this year? An iPod? A new video game? Chances are, you will receive one or more gift cards this Christmas.

Freshman Alex Hankins said, “Gift cards are alright, but it's not the same as getting something you wanted.”

Gift cards are becoming more popular every year. Last year, one in four people purchased a gift card during the holiday season. According to the National Retail Federation, 26 billion dollars worth of gift cards were purchased last year. Although that much money was spent, some companies selling gift cards may be making more money out of the deal. In a survey conducted by the Consumer Reports National Research Center, that 27 percent of the people who received gift cards last year did not even use them. Some of these people said that they couldn't find the time. However, the majority of that 27 percent said that they simply forgot about it.

“I don't mid getting them," said Junior Sarah Adams. “It's just something easy to get. You don't have to do any major shopping.”

The reason behind the raise in gift card purchases is simple. It is a convenient gift to get for someone that can be obtained in a matter of minutes, and one does not have to deal with the hassles of holiday shopping.

Sophomore Tyler Baldwin said, “I buy somone a gift card usually if I am running out of time to shop.”