Dining is close to a religious experience for me, so all of my mind, body and spirit get channeled into my holiday dishes. One of my favorite ways to enjoy these festive dishes is by relaxing is around the dinner table, chatting with family and friends. It’s super fun to use Membership Rewards® points to help bring the holiday spirit into my own home. I’m able to use points to fuel my combined passion of cooking and trying new kitchen items.

While I do love using my points to buy gift cards for my own shopping, I also enjoy giving them to family and friends. According to this year’s American Express Spending and Saving Tracker, gift cards are THE #1 gift to give, so consider buying all your gift cards with earned points. You can check out the great places to purchase gift cards with points here!

Here are 3 simple ways to use Membership Reward Points during the holidays:

1. Gift Cards: Who doesn’t love receiving a gift card? As mentioned above, they are the #1 way to give. If you need a last-minute gift, eGift cards can be delivered straight to the recipient’s inbox. Some of my favorites gift cards to use for myself and also give are: Crate & Barrel, The Home Depot, Pottery Barn, Saks Fifth Avenue, Restoration Hardware, and Barnes and Noble. Check out all the available gift cards from leading retailers here (insert link)
2. Use Points for Charges: This feature allows Card Members to log into the American Express app on their phones (or MembershipRewards.com) and use points on everyday purchases. When the window opens, select eligible charges for which you’d like to apply points; an accompanying credit will be applied within 48 hours.
3. Shop with Points on Amazon: Amazon.com has long been one of my favorite places to shop for myself and for others over the holidays. No busy crowds at the store and super simple to use. I also love reading reviews before making my purchases. Did you know that you can set your American Express card as your default payment method and when you go to check out, you can pay in full or even partially with rewards points? Brilliant!

In addition, I will also be giving in another way. Membership Rewards allows you to donate points and give to hundreds of local, national and international non-profit organizations. Members Give is an American Express Card Member benefit that allows cardholders to donate earned points to the charity of their choice, starting at 1,000 points. For every 1,000 points redeemed through Members Give, $10 will be donated to a charity of my choice. I will be sure to donate many points.

I can’t forget to mention one more Membership Rewards perk that I’m super psyched about this time of year. To help you travel safely to and from those dinner and cocktail parties throughout the holidays…recently, Uber partnered with American Express to ensure safe travels during the holiday season by offering Card Members 2x points on eligible rides, and allowing Card Members to use points to pay for eligible trips (just make sure your Amex Credit Card is registered to your Uber account).

Please share with me how you have used #PointsForPresents in the past or plan to use them this holiday season!

Disclosure: I was selected by American Express to help educate consumers on how to use earned Membership Rewards points. As such, I was paid for my services, but all items selected and opinions about the Membership Rewards points are my own.