I just gave my kids CASH for their birthdays INSTEAD of gift cards. And here’s why.

About a month ago, both of my April children started talking wish lists. Matthew wanted a myriad of things ranging from duct tape to an iTouch 4G. Ally wanted clothes from nearly every store in the mall. I won’t pretend that we’re poor, but flush we are not either. I like the idea of duct tape for a birthday gift. Not so much the new iPod.

Birthday Budget

Tired of the looming financial tug-of-war, I offered them both a “birthday budget” in which they could decide how money allocated for their gifts would be spent. It’s one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.

For the past month, to every whim of a want that surfaced, I simply responded, “take it out of your birthday budget.” Surprisingly, both held the coffers tightly, spending nary a dime prior to their celebration days. Both turned into QUITE discerning shoppers once they understood money spent today would be gone tomorrow.

Cash is Better When…

• Saving Up – Matthew decided to save all his money for an iTouch. Since he wanted to shop for the best deal, a gift card wouldn’t work. He needed cash.
• Shopping Around – Ally wanted a bonafide shopping trip. She wanted to shop from store to store with her only restraint being the total dollars spent. She needed cash for flexibility.

Both loved the control and are obviously pleased with all of their gifts. But there was little “ceremony” to the day other than blowing out the birthday candles. Though I rather liked it, I’m wondering if they will one day claim I didn’t celebrate their birthdays properly. Only time will tell.

P.S.

My June birthday boy is already asking if it’s too early to dip into his “birthday budget.”

I’ve been posting a lot of Pinterest crafty gift card holders lately, but not everyone has the desire or time to get all croppy when it comes to delivering a convenient gift.

At Walmart, I saw this “Love ‘em, Bug ‘em” Hallmark gift card holder for kids. They have a variety of “bugs” that you can stuff with gift cards or other treats.

Kids Need More

It is especially important to give kids a little something extra when delivering a gift card. The “extra” does not have to be elaborate or expensive. It can be a pack of gum or a yo-yo. Kids just need a little trinket to play with immediately while waiting for the opportunity to redeem the gift card later. (Actually, we all do. But if you want kids to give you a “reaction,” then be sure to add something that warrants a response.

This “Love ‘em, Bug ‘em” Hallmark gift card holder does the work for you. Pick out a bug, add a gift card, throw in a lollipop…and head to the party.

A magic plastic card that buys stuff is not a new concept to kids. They’ve seen you pull those cards out of your wallet to pay for things a hundred times over. To them, a gift card is no different. It offers buying power.

Power Shift

One of the reasons my kids love gift cards is that having one gives them the power to purchase, the authority to decide. I distinctly remember my son having a fit over a denied request at the store one day. He bellowed, “Why do YOU get to decide what we buy?” Poor kid was so frustrated. My explanation didn’t help, but having a gift card on the next shopping trip did.

Learn how I help my kids shop with gift cards.

Kid in a Candy Store

This same son recently receieved a $5 gift card to Sweet Street, an awesome candy store in our little town. We spent at least 30 minutes going through the options and eventually he picked out two items that I definitely wouldn’t have purchased with my money. But he had the power to decide. (And oh did he relish the opportunity!)

Great Gift Cards for Kids

Five dollars at a candy store is perfect. It’s enough money to buy a treat or two without needing additional money but isn’t so much that the kid will get sick. Here are other inexpensive gift cards kids can enjoy:

• Frozen Yogurt or Ice Cream Store
• Jamba Juice
• See’s candy, chocolate store
• Subway, In-n-Out Burger, or other mom-approved fast-food
• Target or Walmart.

Although $5 at Target or Walmart would be tough because there are so many choices over budget. For stores that carry clothes or toys, a $20 gift card is a better choice.

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Target Gift Card makes the Perfect Cupcake Topper!

Ally was so excited to taste the cupcakes that she didn’t even notice the Target gift card on top!

Hands Off!

When Ally helped my friend Kelly sell cupcakes at a fundraiser, she came home with a box of cupcakes as payment. She was thrilled, bragging to her brothers that she’d earned the tasty treats, telling all of us to keep our hands off them. She got even more excited (and a little bossier) when Kelly dropped off a second set of cupcakes for her to taste test. Only after she’d stuck a fork in nearly each one did Ally notice that the “Thank You” note on top was actually a gift card to Target.

Target Does it Right

Target does a great job of offering gift cards in a variety of styles, with a wide range of expressions–making it easy to turn their gift cards into fun vignettes of affection.

For Joy!

Ally honestly would have been thrilled with just the cupcakes or just the gift card. But the combo made her squeal with delight–and I’m pretty sure that’s what Kelly was going for. Thanks Kelly!

The saying goes, “People come in to your life for a reason or for a season.” My dear friend, Suzanne, came to me for both. Though we were face-to-face friends for less than a year, she made a lasting impact. Now, constrained by distance, but enabled by technology, we share laughs and heartfelt talks whenever we can.

Take Comfort Mom--and Take Credit.

A Bird Flies Out of the Nest

Last week, she took her oldest boy to the Missionary Training Center in Provo, Utah where he will begin serving a two-year mission for our church. After a couple months of training, he’ll be headed to Russia. At just 19 years old, this boy’s freckle-filled-boyish face belies a wise, old man who says things you’d expect to hear from someone who’s lived four times his little lifetime. He’s amazing. He can’t wait to serve. But everytime I compliment my friend on raising such a fine boy, she replies, “I can’t take the credit. He came that way.” To which I say, “Then take credit for not messing him up.”

A Token of Comfort for Mom

If we lived closer, I would have been waiting on Suzanne’s doorstep when she got back from the big drop to give her a hug and feed her some chocolate. Because we both know that her boy is gonna do great, but it can be hard for the mamma bird to let even the most well-trained bird fly away.

Since I can’t be there in person, I sent Suzanne an electronic gift card to Deseret Book so she can buy something to uplift her on days that she’s missing him the most. He is in good hands. So is Suzanne.

Celebrate Moms at Graduation Time

This experience has me thinking about graduation time. We always celebrate the graduate for his or her accomplishments and rightly so. But perhaps we need to start celebrating the parents who devoted womb and room to raising these kids. It seems a harsh reward to think that after you’ve exhausted yourself giving your child the tools necessary to survive on his own—he has the nerve to actually do it.

For graduation this season, think about the moms who are being left behind. What gift card would you give to a mom who is about to say goodbye to one of her chicks?

Fun Valentine Gift idea from Michaels

Michaels posted this video on their Facebook page and I wanted to share it with you. Several little gifts are tied together with a ribbon, all stuffed neatly into a shipping tube. As the recipient pulls the ribbon, the presents are revealed, leading up to a big gift at the end. Jo’s finale is a crafty Valentine t-shirt, but I suggest topping things off with a gift card instead.

My Version

I love what Jo has done, but for my taste (and time constraints), I’d probably get a smaller tube and tie just two or three items en route to the gift card. You’d get the same effect without the added expense and effort.

Fun Themes

You could adapt this idea to any occasion–a baby shower, bridal gift, teacher appreciation, or birthday. I see a theme tube as well–maybe a group gift of several gift cards tied to the ribbon. Or a movie gift card tube including snacks and movie tickets with theater wrapping paper on the tube itself. A baseball themed tube with sports page wrapping and baseball cards, sunflower seeds, cracker jacks, and an MLB gift card inside. Oh, a tennis ball canister would work great here as well. Uh-oh, I’m starting to trip over myself with gift card ideas! Seriously, who doesn’t want to open a string of goodies to get to a gift card??! So many possibilities.

Speaking of Michaels

Speaking of Michaels, don’t forget to answer the Valentine’s Day poll to be entered in the $25 Michaels Gift Card drawing. You just might win and then you can march yourself down to Michaels to make your own Valentine’s Day tube! Good stuff!