If there's one item retailers shouldn't miss out on this holiday season, it's the gift card. According to this eMarketer.com article, gift card sales have continuously risen since 2003. This year, the average consumer will spend about $203 on gift cards, up from $186 last year. And for retailers, they're the gift that keeps on giving. Card recipients typically redeem their cards over two visits, increasing their chances for more store traffic and more sales. Also growing in popularity is consumers purchasing gift cards online--now the second most popular spot to purchase a gift card, after retailer locations.

One way to set your gift cards apart from the rest is to wrap it in a box or tin. One-half of gift card purchasers said they were more likely to purchase a gift card presented in special wrapping.