Gift cards come with less red tape

Gift cards were enormously popular this year, thanks in part to new regulations protecting consumers, Washington Post reported.

The National Retail Federation predicted gift card sales would reach $26.3 billion in 2008, up from $24.8 billion last year. The average consumer was expected to spend about $122.59 on gift cards this year, compared with $116.51 last year.

The Federal Trade Commission and several states have responded to consumer complaints about card expiration dates and service fees, making them a less risky gift choice.

-- Sarah