Sears and Kmart rewarding customers who 'stash their cash' for the upcoming holidays

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. Two major retailers are looking to help Americans budget for the holiday season with a Christmas Club Card program.

Sears and Kmart's Christmas Club card allows shoppers to save ahead for their holiday purchases at Sears and Kmart months before hitting the stores or surfing the Internet. Starting now, Sears and Kmart Christmas Club card users can put aside some funds on a regular basis through Nov. 14 to add value to this unique gift card and receive a special reward when they do.

When activated between now and Oct. 31, Christmas Club card users will earn a three percent reward - up to a maximum of $100 - based upon the value they have on their Christmas Club cards on Nov. 14. To activate cards or add additional value at any time, customers can visit any Sears or Kmart store location, or online at www.sears.com/christmasclub or www.kmart.com/christmasclub.

Starting, adding value to, and redeeming the Christmas Club card is designed to be as easy and flexible as possible. Customers can start their Christmas Club cards with as little as $5, and they can add value as often as they want.

Susan Ehrlich, president financial services at Sears Holdings, said feedback from their customers prompted the retailer to take action.

"We heard that our customers were concerned about how they were going to pay for their holiday shopping this year and we wanted to provide a way to ease that concern," Ehrlich said. "The Christmas Club card provides a unique way for Sears and Kmart customers to start planning for their holiday shopping ahead of the hustle and bustle of the season and earn a reward for planning and saving ahead."