This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Gift Card Weekend. All opinions are 100% mine.

Gift cards have long been the most popular holiday gift, and they are sure to rank number one yet again this year. It’s really no wonder why; gift cards take the hassle out of holiday shopping. No longer do you have to recruit a family member or friend of the person you’re shopping for to play junior detective to try to figure out what is on someone’s holiday wish list or spend hours wandering around store after store in search of a gift that will be enjoyed instead of returned for something else. Gift cards allow the recipient to choose their own perfect gift and every time they use it, they’ll think of the person who gave them the gift card that allowed them to purchase something they love. It’s a win/win situation all around.

This holiday season is about to get even sweeter with an exciting gift card event from Gilbert the Gift Card Machine to celebrate the upcoming Gift Card Weekend event.

From now until December 23, $20 Sephora gift cards are being given away daily to Gift Card Weekend Facebook fans. To be entered into the drawing, all you have to do is like Gift Card Weekend on Facebook. For an extra chance to win, share their fan page with your friends and you will receive one extra entry for every person you inspire to become a fan. The more influence you have and the more friends of yours who become fans, the higher chance you have of scoring one of the $20 Sephora gift cards being given away.

But that is just the precursor to Gift Card Weekend, a yearly event where participating retailers have amazing offers specifically on gift cards that will make them more valuable than the amount they were purchased for. This year, Gift Card Weekend will take place from January 6th to January 8th, just a week after most, if not all, holiday gift cards are given and received.

If you are giving a gift card this holiday season, be sure to check out the list of stores and restaurants participating in Gift Card Weekend below and consider purchasing a gift card from one of these brands to give extra savings.

Stores and Restaurants Participating in Gift Card Weekend

• JCPenney
• Regal Cinema
• Subway
• Sephora
• Applebee’s
• Bass Pro Shops
• Adidas
• Buca di Beppo
• Lowe’s
• Spa Finder
• Marriot
• Giant Eagle

Don’t forget to send along a little note to the recipient about Gift Card Weekend so they can use their gift cards during that weekend when the value of their cards is increased.