'Tis the season to shop for loved ones and for business clients alike. But with this economy, no one wants to be on the giving or receiving end of a frivolous gift.

So maybe you're tempted to skip the gift giving in favor of gift card giving?

One FiLifer offered us Seven Reasons It's Rude to Give a Gift Card a year ago. These reasons still hold true. That said, there are times when gift cards are appropriate (like when you know the recipient loves to shop online). Our simple Guide to Gift Cards explains.

If you're sure you want to give a gift card, then make sure you pick the best one.

According to Dave Hanson, our Gift Card Guru, Visa and Mastercard gift cards are usually better than American Express cards.

"Visa and Mastercards are more universally accepted than American Express. One key reason is that it costs slightly more for merchants to redeem Amex cards than the others," Dave recently told one FiLife user.

Disagree with Dave? Let him know here. Or find more gift card reviews here.

-- Kristen Sullivan