Besides websites like Plastic Jungle,
Cardpool.com, and GiftCards.com that sell used gift cards for less, there are currently very few opportunities to buy discounted gift cards on a regular basis. During the holidays, you might find the odd promotion. But typically new gift cards can only be purchased at face value.

Gift Cards on Sale at Costco

I’m a fan of the big box warehouse store. Costco never disappoints (except when they switched from Diet Coke to Pepsi at the food court). So I am thrilled to see an increasing number of discounted gift cards available at one of the places I already love to shop.

The Good

Although the selection is limited, the prices are great. I often see $100 restaurant gift cards for around $79.99 or package gift cards like 5 x $10 Jamba Juice gift cards for only $39.99. That’s a 20% savings. Costco also offers discount gift cards for local stores and attractions.

The Needs Work

Costco gift cards are paper based. Unlike the plastic cards on a rack that need to be activated, Costco gift cards already contain value and they look more like coupons. Since gift cards lack presentation anyway, the Costco cards are especially challenging. So my advice in this area, of course, is to deliver the gift card with something else from Costco. (We’re not trying to pretend you didn’t buy it there.)

• Deliver a discount spa or nail salon gift card with a book or magazine from the great selection in that area.
• Deliver movie tickets with a tub of red vines.
• Deliver a water park gift card with one of the great beach towels Costco sells during the summer or a family pack of sunscreen.
• Deliver a restaurant gift card with one of Costco’s specialty desserts.

The options are endless.

Just because….

Just because the gift card itself is a little u-g-l-y, doesn’t mean you can’t make it attractive by adding something extra. The recipient will likely figure out you got the gift at Costco for a discount, but because the gift card is part of a meaningful gift, he or she won’t care. I know I wouldn’t.

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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.

Gift Card Girlfriend is getting a makeover!

In addition to sharing our creative gift card ideas, we’re converting each gift card vignette to a “Get it Done” shopping option as well. We’ll scour the net to find everything you need to make a gift card more personal. All you have to do is click the pieces and buy. (The convenient gift card–just got easier to give!)

Mother’s Day First

The site redesign will launch officially in a few weeks, but for now – check out the Mother’s Day section. You’ll find great ideas to kickstart your own creativity plus “Get it Done” deals to buy today. Below is one of my favorites!

Feet Retreat

Get Inspired: Stamp the kids’ feet or take a picture of their piggy toes and put it in a keepsake frame. Add a pedicure gift card and a note that reads, “From our feet to yours!” Or pair the gift card with a pedicure accessory or lotion like the ones shown in our “Get it Done” deal below:

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• SpaFinder GC
  Amazon.com
• Flip Flop Pedi Set
  Amazon.com
• “I Love You” lotion
  Amazon.com

This is What Summer is All About

Summer vacation is winding down and I can honestly say that we’ve lived it to the fullest. Rarely more than an hour away from home, we stay-cationed all over the Bay Area. We went to the beach, played summer league baseball, watched professional baseball, swam every water park in the area, ate ice cream, made ice cream, rode our bikes, connected with old friends, and made several new friends. It’s been a good summer.

I’ve Let Myself Go

But in the 10 weeks we’ve enjoyed as a family, I have completely let myself go. I haven’t done my hair in weeks. Ran out of a few essentials in the make-up bag and didn’t bother to replace them. My toenails are bare and my eyebrows a bit bushy. My lack of self care comes down to two things: time and money. (Doesn’t it always?)

Time and Money

I spent the early part of the summer training my boys to quietly go downstairs in the morning, bypassing the usual tap on my forehead to see if I’m awake. Their quiet departure allowed me an extra half hour or so of sleep. The indulgence, however, meant the kids were either starving or clawing at each other by the time I got up. So I had to shave time off the beauty routine to make up for it. I also let them stay up later which meant less time to myself at night. Heck, what am I saying? Less time to myself all DAY too. Love those kids, but forget about scheduling hair, salon, doctor, or dentist appointments while they’re home. And besides, money I might have spent on myself is going to admissions for various activities anyway.

Back to School

But it’s back to school time and that means every mom I know with school age kids is about to get a makeover. And I will be setting the pace. I need a new do, a splash of color on the toes, gonna look into that Yoga class I’ve talked about for months, and probably need to get my teeth cleaned as well.

So while I see retailers advertising “back to school” specials that revolve around kids, I think they’d do well to remember us moms are in need of a little pampering ourselves. And we could use some gift cards to offset the expense because we just spent all our money on summer activities and school registration. I suggest the following:

• Hair salon gift card for a cut and color
• Nail salon gift card for a manicure and pedicure
• Massage or Spa gift card to work out the summer kinks
• Gym or Yoga gift card to find her center again
• Organization store gift card to help her figure out the new fall schedule
• Lunch gift card to reconnect with girlfriends

It doesn’t have to be her birthday. If you know a mom with school age kids who is about to send the kiddies back to the teachers, get her a “Summer Survival” gift card to celebrate her return to freedom!

My sweet step-daughter lived with us for about half a year–just long enough to see what makes this household tick. Proving she knows me pretty well now, I came home yesterday to the perfect Mother’s Day gift. She left a 32-pack of Diet Coke, a gift card to the spa, and a coupon for free babysitting on my front porch. She even wrote down days and times that she’s available to watch the kids. Honestly, she had me at the DC and free babysitting.

Teryn’s gift is the perfect example of turning any gift card into a thoughtful gift. She followed all of my rules. She gave me the gift of self-indulgence (something I can rarely afford to do), offered to babysit (knowing I’d need someone to watch the kids in order to indulge), and included my favorite drink (ok, I have one guilty pleasure). It’s practical, personal, and perfect for me. Thank you Teryn.

I’ve got other Mother’s Day ideas listed on my web site. Many of these can be adapted for mom’s birthday or for Father’s Day coming up on June 20th. If you have some ideas of your own, post a comment below so we can all learn.

Pampering for Everyone

As you know, my little sister Brooke is expecting a baby. Her co-workers surprised her with a gift certificate to her favorite spa on one of her last days before maternity leave. They cleverly Photoshopped a Pampers diaper logo onto a poster that read, “Pamper Yourself!”

I couldn’t help but copy that SO cute idea in a less graphic-skills-required kind of way. Get your expectant friend a package of Pampers and attach a gift card to a spa or salon so mom and baby both get a little “Pampering!” You’ll be the hit of the baby shower!

This got me thinking about other ways to pair mom gift cards with newborn baby necessities. You could get a pack of baby wipes and a restaurant gift card, then write, “For when you’re too wiped out to cook!” My brain is a swirl with ideas.

Check out the New Baby section for other ideas as well.