How to get the most out of your Christmas gift vouchers
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Whether a physical version, or an e-card, check the T&Cs to make sure you extract maximum value from them. The first thing to do is read the small print (it could be very small if it is squeezed on the back). This should tell you if there’s an expiry date, which is probably the most vital information, and what other caveats apply.
![[Hilary Osborne]](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/uploads/2018/06/04/Hilary_Osborne,_L.png?width=75&dpr=1&s=none&crop=none)
Under UK consumer law, expiry dates are allowed, as long as they are spelled out. Twenty-four months (two years) seems to be the most common. For a specific experience, it might be just a year. One problem could be whether or not the clock starts ticking on the purchase date – if that’s the case, keep hold of the receipt that came with the voucher, as that will include the date.
![[apple pay shown on a smartphone]](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/cd4e997fce6dee1a0539183136f8ca15dc99b7fb/0_248_7360_4415/master/7360.jpg?width=445&dpr=1&s=none&crop=none)
If there is no receipt, ask the person who gave it to you when they bought it. Also, check where you can spend the card. Some retailers let you spend e-cards and physical cards in shops and online, while others impose restrictions. At Boots, for example, e-cards can be used only for online purchases, while a Vue gift card can be used only to buy cinema tickets in person.
![[a card saying gift voucher being handed hand to hand]](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/40f915945ec89541fdae262e6871d1ed7626250b/938_517_7138_4283/master/7138.jpg?width=445&dpr=1&s=none&crop=none)
Most retailers’ small print contains a warning that they can vary the T&Cs if it is reasonable and necessary to do so. This often happens when a business falls into administration, and there may be little warning, so the best advice is to use the voucher as soon as you can.
![[Calendar page with marked date of friday 13th]](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/f20cae13aafe9de663a9cd635f2917d615fbae2b/0_145_4361_2618/master/4361.jpg?width=445&dpr=1&s=none&crop=none)
