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20+ Clever Ways to Give Gift Cards

Diane Schmidt
I give gift cards year-round, for all sorts of occasions. Here are my creative tips for gift card giving: 

Here is what you need:
  • clean jars with lids
  • distilled water
  • plastic animals
  • epoxy
  • tinsel glitter
  • sand paper
  • glycerin


Make sure your jars are cleaned and dried thoroughly. With sandpaper, mark up the underside of the lid and then attach your chosen figurines using a bit of epoxy. Epoxy will be the best defense against water over time. Let the epoxy set completely and then fill your jar just short of full with distilled water. 
Add a little drop of glycerin to the water. If you add too much it’s going to make the water kind of thick. Add your glitter to the jar, using more or less depending on how snowy you’d like your snow globe to appear. Tinsel glitter works best and gave the best snowy look. 


One year, I made a New Year’s gift basket for my sister Em and brother in law Jeff. I included a $25 Fandango gift card and a $25 Red Robin gift card (their fave restaurant), along with popcorn and cocoa. It was kind of like an “dinner and a movie” kit 
Go with a theme. For example, one year I gave one of my friends a kit of her favorite  Starbucks coffees and a mug and included a Starbucks gift card with it. You could also make a chef’s kit, with a Williams Sonoma gift card. The ideas are endless!
Hide a gift card in a fuzzy pair of slippers. You can also get more creative and hide it in a pair of socks, inside the slippers!
Buy holiday stationary online. Cut, fold, tape and you are done!
Instead of just giving a gift card, attach it to a fun gift, like a book, dvd, box of candy, etc. I like the idea of picking out the recipient's favorite book and matching the candy to it.
Here is a great trick to play on someone. Wrap up the biggest box you can find and put the gift card in the very bottom. They will think they are getting a huge gift, but not understand why the box is so light until they open it.
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MORE IDEAS: (source Shutterfly.com)

1. Wrapping Paper

Whether it’s baby blue wrapping for a baby shower or custom ordered wrapping with your friend’s favorite cartoon character– wrapping paper matters. It’s shows care has been put into the presentation. Plan ahead to have appropriate wrapping paper ready to go for any occasion that might come up.

2. Newspaper Cartoons

In a pinch, or for a friend who really loves comics, newspaper cartoons make a fun wrapping paper. Simply cut out an appropriate comic strip for the occasion. To help yourself out in the future, try cutting out funny comic strips whenever you get the paper.

3. Ribbon

Sometimes an elegant or elaborate ribbon will do the trick when wrapping a gift card box.  Just make sure it’s tied tight enough that the gift card won’t accidentally fall out.

4. Origami Paper

Looking for a unique and elegant paper to wrap your gift card box? Consider using a square of origami paper. The gift card is small enough that you won’t need much paper, and you can even add a special origami shape on top for decoration.

5. Small Baggie

For an easy to wrap gift, consider ordering gift card sized baggies. These small paper or plastic baggies are perfectly sized, and they look adorable on a gift table.

6. Cloth Bag

A small cloth bag can work just as well as the gift bags mentioned above. This is a great alternative when the occasion calls for more delicate decorations.

7. Gift Card Box

Gift card boxes are necessary when decorating with wrapping paper because they help keep the shape of the gift. You can also decorate the box itself however, if you don’t have any wrapping paper.

IDEAS FOR GIFT CARD HOLDERS

Looking for some specific ways to hold the gift card? These gift card holders show that time and care have been put into the gift. Pick your favorite idea from those below or use them to inspire an idea all your own.

8. Phone Card Holders

For a unique cardholder idea that doubles as a functional gift, consider using phone cardholders. The gift card easily slides into one of the pockets and you can personalize the design to match the giftee’s style.

9. Card Fold

Consider adding a decorative pouch or folder to the inside of your card. This helps you easily store the gift card in a thoughtful way so that the gift doesn’t fall out of the card when it’s opened.

10. Snack Bag

For a simple and unique gift card holder, consider using a paper snack bag. You can decorate the paper bag and then tie it with a simple string or twine. This works great for gifts for kids.

11. Business Card Holders

Similar to the phone card holder idea, this idea is both cute and practical. Customize a business card holder to hold the gift card for something the giftee is sure to use over and over again. This is an especially perfect gift for new professionals or graduates.

12. Keepsake Boxes

This is an elegant gift and a great option for higher-end occasions, like a bridal or baby shower. Customize the keepsake box for the giftee and place the gift card inside.

13. Mason Jar

Customize a mason jar for the giftee and fill it with their favorite candy. Then hide the gift card inside the candy for an extra special surprise. This is great for kids, graduates, and adults with a sweet tooth.

GIFT CARD PRESENTATION IDEAS

Looking for the right gift card ideas for a specific occasion? Check out the thematic gift card presentation ideas below for some fun inspiration.

14. Christmas Gift Card Ideas

Gift cards make great stocking stuffers as well as gifts under the tree. Looking for some cute presentation ideas for this holiday occasion? Here’s a few of our favorites:

 

  • Inside the stocking, wrapped in black paper to resemble “coal.”
  • In a series of boxes, each one smaller than the next, to help extend the present opening.
  • Inside of another personalized gift.
  • Wrapped with thick wrapping paper, twine, and cuttings from the tree.

15. Creative Ways To Give Multiple Gift Cards

Are you gifting more than one gift card? Whether it’s for an entire family, for someone’s graduation, or any other reason, the following ideas will help you pick the most creative way to give multiple gift cards:

  • Gift Card Wreath: Create a seasonal wreath and use clothespins to attach the gift cards around the wreath.
  • Gift Card Garland: Similar to the wreath, this decorative garland is perfect for the holidays. Simply attach gift cards with ribbon or clothespins to segments along with the garland.
  • Gift Card Flowers: Use a personalized flower pot as the base for this creative idea. Then create “flowers” out of wooden sticks and construction paper. Attach the gift cards to the “flowers” at the end. Finally “plant the flowers” in the flower pot and decorate with a ribbon.
  • A “Giving Tree:” Create a “giving tree” by gluing a collection of thin branches, sticks, and stems together at the base. Make sure it branches out at the end to resemble a tree. Then use twine to tie gift cards to the ends of the branches.

16. Creative Ways To Give Gift Cards To Teachers

Teachers deserve to be appreciated. And if you’ve decided on a gift card, check out the following presentation ideas. 

 

  • Made the gift card holder in the shape of an apple.
  • Place the gift card on the inside of a personalized pencil case, along with some customized pencils.
  • Gift it inside a bunch or vase of flowers.