Creative Gift Card-ing

Every year there’s a handful of people whom I want to buy gifts for but always find myself puzzled with what to get them. You too? I know, the struggle is real. The easy answer: gift cards. Most people worry that gift cards give off impersonal vibes but they can actually make for creative and thoughtful gifts. Don’t believe me? Keep on reading...

Let’s take an iTunes gift card (which I picked up at Ralph’s after browsing dozens of gift card options) - sure you can put it in an envelope and write a little note like “buy some great music” or “enjoy a movie on me!” but what if you spent just 10 more minutes in Ralphs to buy the perfect items to create a “movie night” basket? I did just that over the weekend and the result is holiday gift perfection!

What you need:

• iTunes Gift Card
• Candle
• Wine glasses
• Wine 
• Chocolate + other candy 
• Pretzels + peanuts
• Holiday Cookie Container 
• Chalk + Chalkboard Stickers
• Gold Bow 

I love this idea, not only because it’s more personal and thoughtful, but by giving all the supplementary things needed to utilize the gift card, you can almost guarantee that your recipient will actually use and enjoy it.

Here are a few other creative gift card-ing ideas using products you can buy in one swoop at your local Ralph’s:

New Home Basket: wine opener, wine, Better Homes + Garden magazine and Home Depot gift card

College Student Basket: 6 pack of beer, chips, gum, red solo cups and to help tame their hunger, a gift card to Ralph’s!

Treat Yourself Basket: bubble bath, chocolate, candle, nail polish, champagne and Netflix gift card

Last minute gifts: solved! Btw, check out my other holiday gift guides on the blog here, here and here.