I just spent most of the day at the LDS Family History center in Oakland helping a friend track down her ancestors. She’s going on a trip next month to Germany and wanted to know more about her heritage before embarking on the journey.

Online tools

Although the real help we received came from the genealogist at the center who helped us crack the code, the tools we used are available to everyone online. Primarily, we used Ancestry.com and FamilySearch.org. Both have online tutorials to get you started.

Make History a Gift

I hadn’t thought about giving the gift of history as a bon voyage present until today. But watching my friend gather information that will ultimately shape her journey, help her decide where to visit, and move churches and gravesites to the top of a list previously filled only with tourist attractions inspired me. Now I think a kickstart into family history would be a wonderful gift for anyone taking a trip or starting an even bigger journey.

Consider a gift subscription to Ancestry.com for the following:

• Family Vacation – maybe they’ll find new places to visit.
• Newly Married – for the merging of family trees.
• New Baby – learn more about the gene pool you’re drawing from.
• Graduation – he passed world history, now it’s time for personal study.
• Significant birthday – find out who you really are.
• Anniversary – genealogy is more fun to do in pairs.
• Bereavement – maybe not immediately, but it can be therapeutic to find out more about the people waiting for us on the other side.

Make it Personal

While at the Family History center, the computers were abuzz with people searching, pondering, and digging for clues. And there was no shortage of personal stories either. Consider delivering a gift of history with a personal narrative of your own. Tell about the first time you met this person, character traits you admire about him, or your hope for the future in finding his past. Tie the gift card and your thoughts onto branches of a potted tree that can be planted to commemorate this occasion.

What do a candlestick, a Rascal Flatts CD, and a hot pink hoodie have in common? They are all things that I received as gifts from someone I love. When I look at these items, I think fondly of the giver who knew me well enough to get me exactly what I wanted.

Risk of Gifts

One benefit to giving someone an actual gift (rather than a gift card) is that the recipient is likely to think of you (the giver) every time he or she puts the present to use. It’s a risk, of course. Because if the recipient returns the gift or throws it in the back of the closet, they won’t be thinking of you at all. They might even be shaking their head, wondering what the heck YOU were thinking. (Size XL? Really? Purple? I never wear purple! Does she think I’m a big, fat Barney?!?)

Make a Gift Card Memorable

Though I do remember most of the gifts I’ve purchased myself with gift cards received, the bond isn’t quite as strong. Often it’s because the gift card seemed to fly out of my wallet as fast as it went in. And tracing the lineage of the gift takes too much mental muscle. More often, I would say, gift card gifts can be forgotten.

But there are ways to extend the memory of the gift cards you give:

• Make it Multiple. A friend of mine received a gift card for 10 free car washes as a thank you gift. His car was clean for a year. He thought about his benefactor every time he got into his fresh smelling car. A car wash gift card would be great for a family, for him, for her, or for Father’s Day!)
• Make it Reuseable. A gift card worth keeping around is one that can be used over and over again. Think $50 on a Starbucks card or $100 on a Jamba Juice card. Since the recipient is unlikely to use the entire dollar amount in one outing, he or she will have several free drinks on you.
• Make it Tweet-Worthy. Think adventure. Get a gift card to a fun restaurant, go-kart racing, hot air balloon ride, the opera, or something else out of the ordinary. Don’t push too far, but thinking a little out of the comfort zone is okay. Then when your friend updates his status or tweets his adventure, you’ll be the one he or she thanks.

Who cares?

The point of a giving a gift is not to be the center of attention. But if you’re worried your gift card might get lost in the shuffle of more showy gifts, then put a little thought into making the gift card be one that creates a lasting bond rather than one giant ruffle.

My sister sent me a link to this Date Night in a Bag gift idea and I love it. But not for the reason you might think. Date Night to Me My husband and I love going to the movies. But we found a bowl of popcorn and shows on the DVR to be much more practical after the brood started growing.

Source: thedatingdivas.com via Shelley on Pinterest

Think Baby

I love this idea for a baby shower because heaven knows when that newborn arrives, mom and dad won’t have a second to themselves for about 18 years. They will have to create date night in a bag, on the couch, with a fox, in a box, and whatever else ways they can figure.

I can honestly say that my husband and I probably wouldn’t swap this bag back and forth. But I do think it would make a fabulous gift. And the gals at The Dating Divas include several other date night suggestions. Each, would also make terrific baby shower or wedding day gifts. Thanks for sharing, ladies!

Unless you’re new to this site, you know that I love the iTunes gift card. It’s so versatile. You can use it to download music, apps, games, and more. The gift cards are easy to redeem and you don’t need an iPhone or iPod to use it. It’s a great gift for young and old alike.

Heart Card

Target has an iTunes gift cards with little headphones in the shape of a heart. So cute. I had to try it out with my classic, “You Rock” gift card holder.

I filled a mason jar with rock candy. But you could also deliver it with Pop Rocks candy, Rocky Road candy bar, Rock Star energy drink, and beyond.

Or get the kids involved and paint rocks for the garden. It’s so easy to improvise!

Gift Card Tag

Download the “You Rock” digital download to get started. If you’re not in the mood to do it yourself, you can buy it here and I’ll do the work for you.

Check here for other Valentine’s Day gift card ideas.

This is a great way to give a restaurant gift card on Valentine’s Day or to a signifitant other on a special day.

Download the “My heart burns for you” digital download to get started.

Restaurant Gift Card

Deliver a restaurant gift card with something that gives you heartburn (such as spicy foods) or something that helps you get rid of it (antacid or Pepto-Bismol). In the example shown, I tied a Chipotle Restaurant gift card to a jar of Chipotle salsa. (A homemade jar of salsa would be even better!)

Candlelight fire instead

Another way to use this tag is to deliver a gift card with a candle, set of matches, or a candle accessory such as a candle sleeve. Any gift card will do since the candle theme will match up nicely with the burning heart idea, but a gift card to the spa would be a fitting touch.

Or a Campfire

Tie a gift card to Bass Pro Shops, REI, or the camping store to a fire starter, stack of firewood, or a handy lighter. Add the “heartburn” tag and you’ll all set.

Check here for other Valentine’s Day gift card ideas.

I’m either in love with Pinterest or have fallen into a time-sucking trap!!! So many creative people in this world. So many fabulously cute ideas. So many gift card inspirations! I’ll never get any work done if I keep pinning!

My New Board

I started a Board called Gift Card Holder Inspirations. On this board are all sorts of little gifty ideas that are cute on their own. But I think can easily be turned into Gift Card Gifts.

Add a Gift Card

Take this adorable Gift for the Golfer. It’s a paint can full of golf balls with paper bling all over it. That’s cute. But I’d like to see a GolfSmith Gift Card on top.

Why I like It

Besides the obvious cute-factor. I like this idea because it can easily be converted to any type of ball gift card. Golfing, Tennis, Basketball, etc. Fill the jar with tennis balls, malt balls, gum balls, and beyond. The tag, of course, can read, “Have a Ball on Your Birthday” or whatever it is you choose.

Download

You can use the “Have a Ball” Tag on our Digital Downloads section. Thanks Pinterest for giving creative people a way to share!