the buzz log

Gift certificates. They're not just for the lazy anymore. In fact, searches for "gift cards" have flourished so rapidly online that the words "in the amount of" have taken on a new gleam of acceptance. Even The New York Times is postulating that the gift card has shoved the sweater, that holiday standby of old, towards the fruitcake aisle.

Our first foray into the Search logs revealed several innovative uses of the gift certificate. Though "las vegas gift certificates" earned our personal thumbs-up, the most-searched-on favors lined up to be redeemed in this order...

Restaurant Gift Certificates Gas Gift Card Movie Gift Certificates Bank Gift Certificates

Travel Gift Certificates Spa Gift Certificates Massage Gift Certificates Airline Gift Certificates

Meanwhile, the big hairy apes of the credit card biz seem to have company-specific presents firmly in their grasp. Check out these top searches for brand-name cards (and remember, dear shoppers, to keep an eye out for hidden fees and expiration dates).

Visa Gift Cards American Express Gift Cards MasterCard Gift Cards iTunes Gift Card Simon Gift Card

Toys R Us Gift Card Walmart Gift Card Starbucks Gift Card Target Gift Card eBay Gift Certificates