Thanks to all who voted in our Valentine’s Day poll and congratulations to Charlene who won the Michael’s Gift Card.

We wanted to know whether or not you think it’s okay to give a gift card on Valentine’s Day when presents are supposed to be tokens of affection, representing how you feel about a person?

The Votes are In

As the poll shows, the answer is, “Yes.” 84 percent of the people who responded to our poll said a gift card is perfectly acceptable on Valentine’s Day. And though 30% would like to receive a gift card, another 30% would like something a little more sentimental–like a handwritten note. In a tough economy, it’s nice to see that simple gifts are appreciated and gift cards, which can save time and money, are welcome.

See full poll results here.

Which Gift Cards?

In the contest, we asked you to name the gift card you’d most like to receive. So pay attention Valentines because here are the most requested gift cards:

• Michaels, Jo-Ann Fabrics, Hobby Lobby or other craft supply store
• Target or Wal-Mart
• Visa or American Express
• Bookstore
• Movie
• Restaurant
• Amazon.com
• Sephora

Now some of those gift cards are pretty generic, meaning they can be used anywhere or you can buy any variety of things with the particular gift card. So, in my opinion, you need to work a little harder to make the presentation special. For example, a VISA gift card on Valentine’s Day could be cleverly packaged with things that spell out the word, “Valentine” such as: V for Visa Gift Card, A for apple of my eye, L for love, etc.”

You may have a practical gal or guy on your hands who does appreciate the flexibility of a gift card, but it’s still wise to put a little effort into make it more personal. Check out other ideas in my Valentine’s Day section.

We have a winner! “Shenais” is the winner of the Family Playtime gift card giveaway. She gets to choose from the following online games gift cards, compliments of Gift Card Mall:

• Nexon
• Sony Playstation
• Xbox Live
• Adventure Quest
• Neopets
• Stardoll

You know I’m a fan of the gift card kiosk. I did almost all of my Christmas shopping this season while at the grocery store. I saved time by not not making trips to a variety of stores. I saved money by taking advantage of gift card promotions. And I also stuck to my holiday budget (possibly the first time, ever) because gift cards are always available in my target amount. No more combing the aisles looking for a gift that fits and is priced right. Phew!

The saying, “The family that plays together, stays together” is one of my favorites and is something I try to foster in our home. But achieving family camaraderie is not always easy. Some of the most harmonious moments in my home happen when the kids are each doing something on their own—no fighting, no tattle-taling, no wrestling—just peaceful coexistence. But there’s no laughter or bonding going on either.

Go Giants!

Being that we’re a Bay Area family, the thing that united us most these past months has been following the Giants through the pennant race and the World Series. Even my daughter, who isn’t at all interested in baseball, got into the spirit. For at least eleven magical nights, we sat on the couch as a family, watched the games, talked about “the Beard,” explained baseball strategies to the little ones, and ate hot dogs, nachos, and other ballpark inspired foods for dinner. I didn’t want it to end in part because we had so much fun and because I didn’t have to work that hard to make it happen.

Now What?!

Here we are on the threshold of the holidays and I’m thinking about ways to help us unite as a family again. Since we’re not planning to travel, I need ideas for getting everyone engaged here at home. The folks over at Gift Card Mall must have read my mind because Safeway, Vons, and other affiliated grocers have a promotion going on through the end of the year called, “Treat your Family to Playtime!” Buy a participating Coca-Cola product plus Orville Redenbacher’s Popcorn and get $5 off an online games gift card—like Xbox, PlayStation, Adventure Quest, Stardoll and others. (See in-store details for specifics).

Win a Gift Card

In honor of that promotion, Gift Card Mall is giving away a $50 Online Games gift card to a participant here on Gift Card Girlfriend. To enter, simply tell us how you promote family playtime at home. Although the winner will be chosen at random, I really need your ideas! So send in your tips and you just might find a $50 gift card under the tree this holiday season!

Legal Stuff: Contest open to continental US residents only. Contest ends December 31, 2010 at midnight PST. Winner will be posted on the site for one month and notified by e-mail. Be sure the address shelley@giftcardgirlfriend.com clears your e-mail filter. If winner doesn’t respond within one month, a runner-up will be chosen.

I enjoyed reading all the ways in which your pops rock. I noticed something as well.

As moms, we’re just supposed to be there all the time–doing, making, supporting, lifting, uplifting, and doing a number of things to keep the cogs in the family wheel moving. Dads, on the other hand, seem to have a simpler roll: earn a living, be the heavy when needed, and nod in agreement to whatever mom decides.

What is apparent from reading your comments, however, is that when Dad comes up strong–offers a shoulder to cry on, says the right thing at the right time, tells you he loves you, or forgives you for doing something stupid–we notice. In fact, everything men do above basic parenting is a gift that appears to be recognized and appreciated. I’m saying this in a loving way. I’m saying this with new found insight as to the impact a father (or father-figure) can have on a child.

So I’m happy to announce the winner of the “My Pop Rocks” gift card contest is Jill who says not only does she know her dad rocks, but the whole community has it figured out as well. Congrats to Jill for winning and to her pop for being such a good guy. It really does matter.

Remember when Oprah gave a new car to everyone in her studio audience? Well, this is almost as fun.

I had a hard time picking a winner for the Jiffy Lube gift card contest. Although I picked Dolphin’s idea for turning the unexpected gift card into the perfect gift for an expectant mother, I really loved some of the other ideas as well.

Ideas that stood out include:

• Annie’s idea to give a Jiffy Lube gift card to her friend who is getting married and planning a road trip honeymoon. Great gift for the bridal shower!
• Heidi’s suggestion to give the gift card to her overworked husband so he can cross car maintenance off the weekend chore list as a thank you for all he’s been doing for the family.
• All of you who just wanted to give a Jiffy Lube gift card to someone in need–a new mom overloaded with life, a returning soldier getting back on his feet, a boyfriend driving all over town in search of a new job, and a sister who just needs a break.

Nicely done people. These are all ways to turn a Jiffy Lube gift card into a thoughtful gift.

In fact, Jiffy Lube LOVED your ideas so much that they’re awarding a $50 gift card to  EVERY PERSON WHO ENTERED THE CONTEST! Yes, that’s right. DolphinV27 gets the big prize. Everybody else will be receiving a Jiffy Lube gift card as well! See, I feel like Oprah and you are all part of my studio audience!!!

So if you entered the contest (and I know who you are!), you’ll be getting an e-mail from shelley@giftcardgirlfriend.com, so be sure it clears your spam filter. You have until May 1st to respond to my e-mail so you can collect your prize. Thanks for entering. And thank you Jiffy Lube!

Would you expect to receive a car maintenance gift card at your baby shower? Probably not. But DolphinV27 is the winner of the Jiffy Lube gift card contest because I loved her idea for turning the unexpected Jiffy Lube gift card into the perfect gift for an expectant mother.

I’m partial to baby thoughts right now because my little sister, designer of this site, just delivered her first child. Seeing her drive around with the empty car seat in anticipation of the baby’s arrival, reminded me that getting the car ready to safely transport a newborn is just as important as preparing the nursery. (Perhaps even more important!) A Jiffy Lube gift card can help parents do just that.

Another reason I picked this idea is because it’s scalable—you can make the gift elaborate or something quite simple. Dolphin suggests nestling a Jiffy Lube gift card into a new car seat along with a baby blanket and a variety of toddler travel items. Then add a note that reads, “Because you never know where life will take you,” which applies both to cars and to the adventures of parenting.

So that’s a big gift. But a Jiffy Lube gift card accompanied by a single baby travel item (e.g. car shade, sippy cup, travel wipes, etc.) would be less expensive and just as thoughtful.

Thanks DolphinV27 for helping us turn a Jiffy Lube gift card into a thoughtful gift. I’m adding your idea to the New Baby section and will be sending the Jiffy Lube Graduation gift card packet shortly!

Don’t miss the Mother’s Day give away to be announced shortly! Subscribe to this blog or follow us on Facebook and Twitter so you don’t miss the announcement.