Did you know that you can shop Costco WITHOUT a membership? According to this article I read on the Plastic Jungle Blog, you can enter and shop this members-only retailer with a Costco Cash Card instead.

That’s great news because it means you can GIVE a Costco gift card without fretting over the recipient’s membership status.

Who Wants a Costco Cash Card?

There is always something I WANT at Costco, but have to exercise self-control to keep out of the cart. How fun would it be to shop Costco with a gift card instead!?! Sign me up!

A Costco Cash Card makes a great gift for:

• Mother’s Dad – Yes, there are groceries galore. Explain that this gift card is only good for personal shopping. Then hold her to it!
• Father’s Day – Does he even know there are golf clubs, tents, batteries, and more inside this super store? I’m not sure I want my husband to find out.
• Graduation – Grad can stock up on everything from business suits to printer paper and a year’s supply of deoderant.
• Family – Besides the mundane things each family needs, Costco has great equipment for family playtime such as camping, water skiing, snow skiing, tennis, and backyard equipment. I’m not sure I want my kids to see this stuff either.

Costco simply works for a broad range of occasions and people–including Thank You gifts for coach, teacher, admin, and beyond.

Can Costco Deliver?

One drawback of a Costco Cash Card is that it is not fancy–in the least. But I think you can get around this limitation with a few tips.

Double your Discount

Costco also sells discount gift cards for local restaurants and attractions. If you take advantage of Plastic Jungle’s discount Costco Cash Card, you’re already saving 2% on your purchases. If you use THAT cash card to purchase a gift card AT Costco, then the savings increase. You’ll stack a 2% Plastic Jungle savings onto a roughly 20% Costco gift card savings. Nice.

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.

Found this gift card recycling idea on Pinterest and loved it. Though you need a binding system (don’t have one…can’t imagine how much binding you do in order to buy one), I do love the idea of it. But I would make this idea with a NEW gift card instead. (Just don’t bind through the magstripe).

Source: thegreenbeanscrafterole.blogspot.com via Jocelyn on Pinterest

Two Gifts in One

Not only does the recipient get a gift card, but they get a little notebook to use as well. It’s two gifts in one. Plus, the gift card will not easily get lost or be forgotten about in the wallet. They’ll probably be carrying it in their purse anyway.

Take It A Step Further

If you’re going to make this idea, then I would take it a step further with the following suggestions:

• Make it reloadable. Use a reloadable gift card so the recipient can use the gift card more than once.
• Make it a photobook instead. Bind the gift card with wallet-size photos of the kids. Perfect for Grandma.
• Add store coupons. Get new mom a gift card to Babies R Us and fill the booklet with every diaper coupon you can find.
• Add coupons of your own. Give a gift card to the movies and include a babysitting coupon inside.
• Multiple coupons. As long as you’re binding things, why not put dinner, movie, and dessert all in one handy date night notebook?
• Group Gift. Have everyone contribute a gift card to the “book.” Imagine leaving a baby or wedding shower with a prized book of gift cards!

Great for Teachers, Coaches, Graduates…Anybody

This would make a great gift card for teachers or coaches. Deliver a gift card to the office supply store (teacher) or sporting goods store (coach). Bind with a note of thanks from each of the kids.

Send graduate to school with a book he’ll for sure want to crack open. Help new moms and newlyweds by stuffing their wallet with gifts cards in this highly manageable system.

Now, where can I get a binding thingamajig?

Quite possibly the cutest version of the Cookie Dough jar I’ve ever seen. It’s a seriously great gift on it’s own. But you know me…gotta think gift card. How to Add a Gift Card Let’s play on that “dough” theme. Add a gift card and write the words, “Thought you could use a little extra dough.” As is, the idea works for any gift card and for any occasion. But here are a few ocassions when money is particularly useful: Graduation. Visa or Mastercard gift card is perfect for grad. Wedding. Gift card to Bed, Bath & Beyond sounds about right. New Baby. Gift card to Target or Babies R Us. Moving. Gift card to Home Depot or other home-inspired store. Holidays. A gift card around the holidays would be welcome in my home! You can write, “Thought you could use a little extra dough on your wedding day” or more generic, “Everyone can use a little extra dough this time of year.” Either way, what a great message and fun way to deliver a little extra dough in a fun, personal, thoughtful way. Happy Gift Carding!

Source: flickr.com via Shauna on Pinterest Source: southernliving.com via Brennaon Pinterest

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Your college student probably won’t know WHAT she needs until she cracks open the dorm room for the first time.

Only then will she discover that the space is half the size of her room at home, with a fraction of the closet space, and cinder block walls that won’t hold the pictures she brought.

I remember it well–each “my half of the room” creating it’s own set of challenges year after year. Invariably the organizers I bought the year before didn’t quite work in the new space. And off I’d go to shop for replacements. I didn’t mind setting up the new pad, but I did mind spending my precious few dollars on stuff I might not need the next year.

Gift Idea for College-bound Kids

If you have a college-bound kid in your life, send him packing with a gift card to Target, Walmart, or The Container Store and deliver it with a roll of quarters and a jug of laundry soap (if he’s driving off to school) or a box of dryer sheets (if he’s flying). Funny how gifts change when you’re on your own for the first time.

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• Walmart Gift Card
  Buy Now at
  Walmart.com
• Laundry Hamper
  Buy Now at
  Walmart.com
• Laundry Detergent
  Buy Now at
  Walmart.com

More College Savings

Save 30-80% on College Storage Gear at Target.com
Smart Savings on College Essentials at Walmart.com!
College Must Haves at The Container Store