Beckies Spot

Gift cards seem like taking the easy way out, right?  Not if done the right way.  First of all, I never give ‘just a gift card.’  I always attach it to something.  A gift card should be tailored to the person receiving it.  Unless somebody really really loves reatil stores, I wouldn’t give just a generic card.  Personalize it.  Make no mistake that you bought that gift card specifically with them in mind.  I’m going to give a list of places to get gift cards and who they work well for.

Victorias Secret- Buy this for your girls.  Not your 10 year old girl…no no.  Your girls that you have coffee with, eat chocolate with, whom you share secrets with. This can include your sister or mom- but be careful- unless you have that kind of relationship with them where it is okay, or you know they really like the body scents line….stay away from this one.  But for your girls….you can get them a gift card- anywhere from 10 bucks and up is fine.  Make them a card -either by computer, or if you are crafty- out of scrapbooking supplies- and write something like “We’ve shared so many secrets….” on the outside and then on the inside, attatch the card and write “what’s one more?”  That gives you an opportunity to get out and go with her too.

Dick’s Sporting Goods or somewhere like this- For the guys who goes hunting, fishing or for your nephew that plays sports who is at the awkward age where you don’t know what to get him. Again, 10 bucks and up works.  You can attach this to anything sporty.  If you are getting it for a fisherman, hook it to an empty tackle box.  He’ll fill it up.  If it’s for a hunter, slip it inside one of those plastic holders that they display their hunting license in.  For a teenager who is into sports, hook it to a bag of tennis balls, golf tees (yes, teenagers play golf), a cheesy indoor basketball hoop with a styrofoam ball, etc.  You get the idea.

Foot Locker- This works really well for nurses, bakers, sports players, people who walk for exercise…..almost anyone really.  I would say $15 and up is appropriate.  And simply go find a pair of funky socks to hook the card to.  (if you can be very very humorous with the person, you could hook it to a bottle of foot powder. )

Babies R Us- Buy this for the expectant parent (this does not replace a shower gift!) or the new parents.  This allows them to choose something that they want.  Perhaps they will apply this card towards a crib or car seat.  You don’t have to pay for the whole thing, but you can sure have a part in helping out!  I would say since this gift going to two people- the parents- and will benefit the new little one, $20 would be a good place to start.  You can attach this card to a rattle, a small blanket, or a pair of little shoes.  They’ll love it!

Barnes and Noble- (Or any other book store that has gift cards) This is a great gift for almost anyone.  There are thousands of books and items to choose from.  (Start at 15 bucks and go from there.) This is a great gift for anyone who reads for the obvious reasons.  You can simple pick up a bookmark of some kind to hook to it.  For the artists, punch a hole in the corner of the gift card envelope and thread a ribbon through it to tie around a paint brush (there are tons of books on technique as well as drawing pads and things of that nature at Barnes and Noble).  For the writer, there are aisles of journals.  Punch a hole in the envelope and tie a ribbon around a nice pen.  Do not just “bic” it here.  Get a gel pen, an obnoxious writing pen that has hair and googly eyes- whatever is appropriate for the person.  For the cook, there are hundreds of cookbooks.  Be careful so as not to offend anyone here….it can really be taken offensively (you can’t cook so I’ll help you out here).  Know the person.  Attach this card to a whisk, or a mini rolling pin.  They will get the idea.  See where I am going?  While Barnes and Noble gift cards are a great idea for almost anyone, what you attach to it is what makes it so personal.

Remember, this gift is easy enough- and can be inexpensive or very expensive.  Choose a great place to get the gift card and then choose something great to attach to it.  Make sure it is all about (and a reflection of) the person you are buying it for.  If you are close to someone who needs something expensive (like a new fridge, washer, dryer, etc) talk to a bunch of people in the family and go in together to get a gift card for somewhere like Sears and give it to them.  Even if it’s not the whole amount they would need, having an extra couple hundred bucks toward something is a big help.

Hope this helps- I’ll be returning to regular posts tomorrow….wanted to just give some ideas before it got too late to help.