KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) -- Check your holiday shopping list.

If you need to buy gift cards, then you can also get a bonus gift for yourself, maybe without spending any extra money.

Retail analysts say gift cards are still the most requested gifts.

Gift cards are Monica Massengill's go-to gifts.

"We have a lot of things we're out to get," Massengill said. "They're quick. They're easy. They're convenient."

And this year even gift cards are on sale, giving you some extra cash as you check-off your Christmas list.

"I think that's great when we're going to spend our money to get a little something back. I kinda helps everyone because of the economy," Massengill said.

All across town some Knoxville retailers promise to give you money for spending money.

For every $50 you spend at Applebees, you'll get a $10 bonus card for you or someone else on your list. The bonus card is valid in January and February.

Outback Steakhouse has a similar deal.

For every $100 dollars in gift cards you buy there, you'll going to get a $20 dollar bonus card, which is good starting December 26th.

If the food bargains don't make your list, how about a trip to the spa?

Natural Alternatives: Aveda Salons and Spas will give you a $20 gift certificate for any service if you buy a $125 gift card first.

"Haircuts. Massages. Facials. The way we feel has a lot to do with how we treat everyone else at Christmas dinner," Owner Sandy Hampton said.

You can even get gift cards for free.

Knoxville Center Mall is actually giving gift cards away to random shoppers on Saturday December 19th.

"If you're shopping in the mall between two and four, we'll be giving out $50 gift cards. We have about 30 gift cards we'll be giving out," mall marketing manager Lauren McNulty said.

You can use the mall gift cards at any store that accepts American Express at either Knoxville Center Mall or West Town Mall, McNulty said.

"The cards never expire," McNulty added.

The National Retail Federation lists the following tips in order to make the most out of your gift cards this holiday season.

1. Know the difference between gift card policies from retailers and banks.

Shoppers should be aware that there are big differences between store-issued and bank-issued gift cards. Most national retailers do not have fees or expiration dates associated with their gift cards. On the other hand, gift cards issued by banks, malls, and credit card companies are more likely to add expiration dates and tack on annoying activation, maintenance, inactivity and transaction fees. Some bank-issued gift cards even charge a fee for simply checking the balance.

2. Personalize your gift card. There are ways to personalize a gift card without breaking the bank.

When giving a gift card, make it more personal by packaging the card with other small items you know a person would like. Personalize it even more by purchasing a gift card from a retailer that allows shoppers to design their own cards with personal messages and photos.

3. Buy gift cards from reputable retailers.

To ensure that a recipient receives the card’s full value, shoppers should only buy gift cards from reputable retailers, not online auction sites. Gift cards sold through online auction sites are more likely to be counterfeit or obtained fraudulently, and may have no value when redeemed in stores or through retailers’ websites.

4. Spend your gift card, don’t save it.

Because retailers are not allowed to count a gift card until it is redeemed, companies will be enticing consumers to redeem their gift cards by holding special sales after Christmas and stocking shelves with new merchandise in January to give shoppers more of a selection.

In many states, gift cards that go unused or unredeemed for more than a few years are often treated as "abandoned" property. Where these laws apply, sometimes in as little as two years, retailers are required to turn over unused gift card dollars to state governments under the guise of returning the “abandoned” money to the gift card purchaser. States make millions of dollars a year from these clauses. Consumers are encouraged to spend their gift cards within the first year of purchase so that they—not the state where the gift card holder lives—receive the full value.

5. Keep your receipt.

Some retailers are able to reissue a lost gift card if consumers have kept the original purchase receipt. Many retailers also allow gift card recipients to register their card through the company’s website, which enables them to check their balance online and receive a new card if they lose or misplace the original one.