The long, steady holiday build-up from just before Halloween has culminated in the gift-giving of Christmas. I hope everyone got (and gave) what they wanted, even as purse strings remain tight and the economic outlook is uncertain.

According to news reports, the dollar value of gift cards purchased this year is expected to be down slightly, but the number of cards purchased is going to be higher. Sounds odd, but people still want to give gifts — this year it will just be gift cards with less money than in previous years. After all, it’s the thought that counts.

If you’re like me, you relish receiving gift cards because there are great opportunities to stretch a dollar. If someone gives me a $20 gift card, I try to make it worth even more. Here are a few tips.

Step 1: First, make sure you secure your gift card. Essentially, it is cash — especially the prepaid debit or credit cards that are becoming more popular each year. While a nice gift card from Barnes & Noble is good there, the AMEX, Visa and MasterCard gift cards can be used just about anywhere (and by anyone).

Many companies and credit-card issuers let you go online to activate or register the card so you can reclaim the value in case it is lost or stolen. You may have to pay a fee for the replacement, thus lowering the value of the card. But this step will ensure you have something to spend when you find just the right thing.

Step 2: Keep being a bargain shopper. I have friends and colleagues who get excited about receiving gift cards but then decide to pay full price for something they want. When you are holding the gift of cash in your hand, you want to be as frugal as always.

Think about a $100 gift card from Dick’s Sporting Goods and a desire for some new shoes. At regular price, the shoes are $99. Assuming a 5 percent sales tax, the purchase would be $103.95. That would leave $3.95 still to pay out of pocket.

But using the card during an after-Christmas sale, or going online and finding a 20 percent off coupon, reduces the price to $79.20 plus tax. Now there is some extra money for socks or another small item you might need or want.

I always think of discounts as making the cash worth more, so a $20 gift card could be worth $40 to me if I can find things for 50 percent off.

Step 3: Use the card sooner rather than later. Most companies now impose a monthly administrative fee on unused balances on gift cards. They often waive the fee for six or 12 months, but when it starts, it can deplete a balance fast.

Companies do this because the gift-card balance is a liability on their books (they owe you something), and they want to get it off as soon as possible. Check the card’s rules and pay attention to when fees may be imposed. There is nothing worse than going to buy something with a 2-year-old gift card and then not being able to use it.

The days after Christmas are a great time for bargain shopping. With gift cards in hand, I plan to be out seeing how much I can make them worth. I love to thank gift-givers by letting them know how much I saved as well.

Have a great end to your year, and finish out strong by saving lots of money.

“King of Koupons” Kevin Strawbridge is president of DealTaker.com, an online shopping Web site owned by Media General that collects and shares online coupons and deals. E-mail .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or follow @dealtaker on Twitter.