I love gift cards! As a mom on a fairly tight budget, I rarely have money for indulgences like pedicures, spa treatments, and clothes not picked from the clearance rack. But if somebody gives me a gift card to spend, I shop and enjoy pampering experiences guilt-free. Even buying more practical items without tapping the family budget is a welcome treat.

As much as I love to receive gift cards, however, I used to hesitate giving one for fear the present would look as though I didn’t put any effort or thought into the gift. And yet most people I know love to receive gift cards as much as I do. So what’s the problem?

The Problem

The problem is that we’ve spent years coaxing price tags off of gifts so the recipient wouldn’t know how much money we spent on the relationship. And now the cost of the gift is the main attraction. It feels awkward. The presentation can also feel lackluster, simply handing over a greeting card with a gift card tucked inside. No hand-curled ribbon or tissue paper to be found. No “oohs” and “ahhs” to be heard.

The Solution

The simple solution is to deliver a gift card with a little something extra. Doing so takes the focus off the price and gives the recipient something to “open.” But that “something extra” doesn’t have to be expensive or extravagant. Neither should it be a random knick-knack that simply fills space. For example, deliver a bookstore gift card with handmade bookmarks from the kids or tuck the gift card for new books inside a favorite used book from your personal library. Both presentations are useful and meaningful, both give you something to “ooh and ahh” over (or at least talk about).

On this site are hundreds of delivery ideas to help you and the recipient feel good about a gift card exchange.

Get Inspired or Get it Done

I started Gift Card Girlfriend to share my presentation ideas with the DIY-gift givers of the world. But quickly discovered that people want gift card advice too. They want insight on best gift cards to give, how much money to put on a card, ways to avoid gift card fraud and so forth. I have opinions on all of that. Following my “6 Steps to Better Gift Card Giving,” readers will have all the information needed to gift card with confidence.

And for every gift card idea presented, there is now a “Get it Done” option that allows you to buy the suggested gift card vignette from one of our affiliate retailers. Now you can visit Gift Card Girlfriend to “Get Inspired” or to “Get it Done.”

P.S.

My sister Brooke is my partner on this project. She developed the GCG site and handles all things technical. She’s a talented designer and I’m thrilled she agreed to work with me. Plus she makes me laugh. We hope to sucker other siblings into joining us at some point. Check out the talent pool at Hunter Ingenuity.