Gift cards are one of the most popular gifts -- especially for those hard-to-shop-for names left on our gift lists. Now charities are getting in on the gift card action. Companies like TisBest, who earlier this month was ranked #1 charity gift card, lets gift card recipients donate their gifts to the charity of their choice.

This philanthropic gift lets last-minute gifters avoid the over-crowded mall and check-out lines this holiday season. By visiting TisBest's site, you can purchase a gift card in denominations of $10 to $5,000 which your loved one can choose to spend on the charity of their choice.

A sampling of the 250 charities signed up to receive the funds are UNICEF, the ASPCA, the Sierra Club, Paralyzed Veterans of America, the Alzheimer's Association, and the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

You will have to cough up $1.95 to purchase the gift card, but they never expire. So your giftee has plenty of time to decide who they want to benefit from your generosity. You can personalize the gift card by uploading an image. The cards are green, too, printed on 100% recycled content.

TisBest isn't the only one cashing in on charitable gift cards. Here's a few others who offer similar programs:

• CharityChoice. Users can create wedding and birthday registries to funnel gifts to.
• OshKosh Area Community Foundation. Cards can be given in any amount.
• JustGive. With 1.5 million charities, they have perhaps the largest database of potential recipients.