Here at PerkStreet, we hear from customers all the time how nice it is to get gift cards from us with their debit rewards loaded on them. It’s funny, because from our perspective, these cards are something they earn by spending wisely — we’re just fulfilling our part of the deal we have with them. Occasionally, a news reporter or prospective customer will ask us why we do the gift cards.

“In my career as a banker, I’ve learned that customers really enjoy getting something tangible — something they can hold and recognize as their reward,” says our CEO, Dan O’Malley, when asked why we do the cards.

It’s a sentiment that’s echoed regularly by our customers, who have been sending us more and more messages this holiday season to say they’re giving their PerkStreet rewards gift cards away as Christmas presents.

It turns out that could be a better move than you might think.

New research, released by the National Retail Federation, reveals that gift cards are at the top of more holiday lists for the fourth-straight year.

According to the foundation’s 2010 Gift Card Consumer Intentions and Actions survey, conducted by BIGresearch, 77.3 percent of shoppers will buy at least one gift card this holiday season.

As a result of increasing demand, Americans will spend an average of $145.61 on gift cards, up from $139.91 last year.

Total gift card spending is expected to reach $24.78 billion.

Of course, PerkStreet customers get their rewards gift cards free of charge. (We even pay the activation fees so our customers — or whoever they give their gift cards to — can spend the full amount they’re redeemed for.)

According to the survey, nearly half of holiday shoppers surveyed (45.8%) say they buy gift cards because it allows recipients to select their own gifts.

In a time when people are spending less on themselves throughout the year, it’s no wonder that more Americans want to give their loved ones the chance to shop for themselves this holiday season.

“Gift cards serve as a blank check of sorts, giving the gift recipient free will to buy something they may have had their eye on for years,” said Phil Rist, Executive Vice President of Strategic Initiatives at BIGresearch in a press release about the survey. “For some, gift cards are straight from the heart and among the most thoughtful gifts that a person can receive.”

That’s good news. Here at PerkStreet we’re glad to know we’re giving people what they want — whether that’s the only 2% Cash Back debit card or some fun-to-get gift cards brimming with their rewards.
What do you do with your PerkStreet gift cards? Let us know in the comments below.>/i>