When it comes to holiday shopping, how to decide between personilized presents and gigt cards? Teenages are stting the etiquette standards, according to a recent study.

TowerGroup estimates that nearly $8 billion was lost last year because of unredeemed value, expiration or loss of gift cards. Dr. Ryan said it's not teens doing that.

"They want to use them right away. They can spend all of it, and they do," she said. "People like me who can't figure out where I stuck it, who are contributing to the $8 billion, it's not the kids."

I contribute to that $8 billion too.