A gift card for Mom plus an activity basket for big sister.

My girlfriend Melissa is having her second baby. What I think she’ll need most after delivering this little guy is a BREAK. I got her a gift card to a nearby sandwich shop so she’ll remember to feed herself lunch after the baby comes home (and Daddy goes back to work). I attached the card to a basket of activities for her toddler to play with when Melissa is nursing the new kid in town. (Download the “Take Care of Mommy” gift card holder in the New Baby section.)

Nurture New Mom with a Gift Card Tree

On the subject of baby showers, My sister-in-law just turned the group gift card idea into a fabulous baby shower present. Pooling money from friends, Megan bought gift cards to Target for last-minute baby needs, Panera Bread for comfort food, Jamba Juice to refuel, and Bellissima salon for pampering. She tied each card to a plant that will go in new mom’s kitchen—a lovely reminder of the shower and generousity of good friends.

Find other baby shower ideas in the New Baby section.

Gift Card tree from MomLogic.com

I saw this teacher gift on Mom Logic and just had to share. While I agree it is a perfect gift for our fabulous teachers, I think it could be used for any group gift.

As Michele Ashamalla explains, the group organizer purchases a little tree or plant and invites participants to contribute gift cards to adorn the tree.  Givers can select gift cards for any store and in any denomination.  I love this idea for several reasons:

1. Often times a group organizer can’t make the group purchase until just before the event because sttragglers invariably turn in money late or people who committed to a certain amount opt out at the last minute.
2. People feel pressured to contribute a certain dollar amount. With gift cards, the contribution is anonymous and even a $5 gift card to the right store (Jamba Juice, Coldstone, Starbucks) is still a treat.
3. Presentation. I’m all about giving gift cards in a way that the recipient gets a moment of discovery–a chance to open something. Though in this case wrapping paper isn’t part of the equation, perusing all the gift cards certainly qualifies as a “moment.”
4. Variety and Creativity. This might not seem like a creative gift, but I imagine some parents got very creative in getting gift cards to a variety of fun places, everything from office supply to restaurants and salons. For a baby shower, I’d expect to see gift cards to baby stores, video rental, take-out food, the drug store, and so forth.

Consider a group gift card tree next time you have a baby shower, wedding shower, or graduation party to attend.  This would also make a terrific thank you gift from everyone at the office.