In Family Fun magazine, I saw another version of the teacher appreciation group gift we’ve talked about a few times. I liked what they did, but wanted to take the idea UP a notch in thoughtfulness and DOWN a notch in effort. (Original instructions here).

Here’s what I did differently:

1. First, I simplified the crafting by creating a downloadable set of colorful flower gift card holders. All you have to do is print, cut, and glue.
2. There are three downloads available:
   • Flower Front: The flowers you see here. Cut and glue to flower backs.
   • Flower Back: The back of the flowers, needed to make a pocket.
   • Blank Flowers: I made an extra set of blank flowers so you can use this teacher appreciation idea for other occasions.
3. Second, I taped each flower pocket to a bamboo skewer. It’s a little less artistic than the wire bending recommended by Family Fun, but a lot less work.
4. Lastly, I wanted each gift card to go with a particular thought. So for example, “Thanks for beings so sweet!” should go with a gift card to the candy store, a dessert restaurant, or a local shop with the word “sweet” in it–like Bittersweet Cafe in our area. In my example, I used a gift card to See’s Candy.
5. Several ideas for each gift card are listed on the flower front paper. More good stuff like…
   • “Thanks for all your hard work” – gift card to Home Depot, Staples, etc.
   • “You’re so much fun” – gift card to the movies or video store.
   • “You’re our favorite” – gift card to her favorite place, free choice card!
   • “Thanks for keeping your cool” – gift card to the ice cream store.

I think it turned out pretty cute! This doesn’t have to be just a teacher gift. The gift card plant would make a welcome housewarming gift or starter set of gift cards for newlyweds. Have fun with it!

Pick a gift card the recipient would want, not one you think he should have.

A couple of years ago, a parent at our school collected money to buy the teacher a gift card. Then she asked other school staff where the teacher liked to shop. Unanimously, they responded, “Target! She loves to go to Target!” To which the room mom said in disgust, “I’m NOT buying her a gift card to Target. I’ll get her something nice instead.” Then she took the collected monies and bought a gift card to a swanky restaurant in town. It’s always bothered me that the room mom bought a gift card she would want rather than buy a gift card the teacher would want.

In selecting a gift card, pick a place at which the recipient likes to shop, dine, visit, or hang out. Only veer from this list if you’re positively certain your choice is a stretch the recipient wants to make—not a stretch YOU want the recipient to make.

Read all of my gift card rules:

• Gift Card Rule #1: It’s Not About You

• Gift Card Rule #2: Location, Location, Location!

• Gift Card Rule #3: Buying Power

• Gift Card Rule #4: Avoid the Gotchas

• Gift Card Rule #5: Something for Now and Later

I’m all about making gift cards more personal, as you know. So I have to give some props to Gift Card Lab, a site that allows you to create your own Visa gift card. You can select from hundreds of canned images or upload a picture of your own.

With teacher appreciation coming up and the myriad of coaches I need to thank year round, I love the personal touch of putting a meaningful picture on the plastic.

Shown here is one of the teacher designs available on the site. Plus I uploaded a picture of my daughter’s basketball team to see what the gals would look like on a gift card. Darn cute.

My boys are playing Little League right now and I’m the team parent for my oldest. I’ve snapped some great shots of the kids already. At the end of the year, I’m thinking we’ll present each coach with a photo collage plus a photo gift card. Both memorable and now one picture can be useful as well.

This is also a great idea for bulk gift cards. Imagine handing customers a Visa gift card with your logo, tag line, or “cause” imprinted on it. Might make a bigger impact than a t-shirt.

Sephora Gift Card Winner Announced!

My view of Valentine’s Day has forever changed thanks to the comments in this contest. Once thought only to be an opportunity for special someone’s to tell each other how they feel, I’ve widened my view. I’m especially touched by the dads who give their daughter a Valentine each year so no matter whom she pines for, there will always be at least one guy who loves her for who she is. I’m going to suggest (insist) my husband start doing this for our daughter.

Also noted is that amidst all the grand gestures this holiday often evokes, most of you said your favorite Valentine gifts have been homemade, inexpensive, and simply heartfelt. I love that.

My thoughts are now turning to spring, Teacher Appreciation, and birthdays. Did you know that birthdays are the number one gift card occassion? It’s true.

Pop over to Gift Card Girlfriend to get some birthday ideas and go to our blog to find out who won the Sephora Valentine’s Day Gift Card Giveaway!

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.

Apple for the teacher plus a gift card

I’ve had several people ask about creative ways to gift card teachers this holiday season.  My sweet sister is a teacher and I’ve seen some of the heartfelt, but sadly, useless presents she’s received over the years.  So I’m thrilled parents are considering the gift card instead.

I’m planning a little school gift carding myself for the teachers and for the ladies in the office who are first on the scene when my kids suffer a physical (more likely emotional) blow on the playground. I wish I could do more, but the $5 to $10 range is about all I can swing.  Rather than worry about that, I’ll dress the gifts up so the recipients know the amount may be small but my appreciation is great.  Here are some of my thoughts:

• Ally’s teacher is young and cool. I’ll get her Xtreme candy and a Target gift card that says, “Thanks for going to the Xtremes for Ally this year.”
• Matthew’s teacher is pregnant.  I’ll also get her a Target gift card as well, but will tie a pair of baby booties to the gift card with the words, “Thanks for helping raise my boy.”
• Michael’s teacher is also a cross-country coach. I’ll get her a gift card to Chevron’s Extra Mile and write the words, “Thanks for going the Extra Mile for Michael this year.”
• One of the ladies in the office likes to read.  I’ll get her a Barnes & Noble gift card along with some homemade bookmarks from the kids.  For the other, I’ll get a Target gift card with a bottle of hand sanitizer and write, “Thanks for the helping hand.”

For other Teacher gift card ideas, check out the Teacher Appreciation page.