This is for all of my entrepreneur connections out there (like Shannon and Shannon). I just contributed to an article about brands on Pinterest? Are you trying to decide if your brand should be on Pinterest too?

Not Pinterested

When I first heard of Pinterest, I could not have been less (p)interested in joining another social media site. So I dismissed it immediately and mumbled, “time suck” every time a friend sent me an invite or told me something she discovered on the site. Bah humbug.

Get on Board

As momemtum for the site picked up, I could ignore it no further.

The thing I love best about Pinterest is the quick visual. By contrast, suppose you’re looking for a chair on Craigslist. You have to search chair, then select an ad, then look for a picture that may or may not be there. That’s four clicks to see what something looks like. With Pinterest, the picture IS the opener.

If your brand is bolstered by visuals–think how seeing a picture of a chocolate chip cookie in a cookbook inspires you to try the recipe–then you should set up a board. Pin your original ideas and repin things from other people that inspire you. I get more clicks to my site through Pinterest than any of the other social media sites and I get more inspired by what others are doing there as well.

So I’m a Pinterest fan. It spurs creativity. (Yes, it’s a time suck too.) But for Gift Card Girlfriend, this one is my favorite social media site.

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!

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.

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?