I saw this “handy” bouquet at the Mormon Helping Hands service project last weekend and had to snap a quick pic en route to my painting assignment.

What You Need:

• Potted plant
• Small dowels or sticks
• Disposable rubber gloves
• Ribbon

Blow the rubber gloves up like a balloon. Attach glove balloons to sticks and insert into potted plant. It’s that simple. And such an effective way to say thank you.

Thanks Teacher

Teacher Appreciation Week is May 7-11, 2012. Quickly turn this idea into a teacher appreciation gift card holder in one of the following ways:

• Tie gift cards to each “hand,” similar to our popular teacher flower bouquet.
• Collect money for a single gift card. Tie the gift card to one “hand” and attach school supplies to the others.

Thanks Coach

Thank coach in the same way. Tie gift cards to each “hand” or collect money for a single gift card and tie sports-related items to the other hands.

For example, tie sunflower seeds, Big League Chewing gum, and eye black to a baseball coach gift. Center the display with a baseball-themed mylar balloon.

Thanks Admin

If someone at the office makes your life easier, deliver a “helping hand” gift card holder to him or her as well. It’s really a simple idea that can make a big impact. Come to think of it, that’s what the Mormon Helping Hands project is all about. “By small and simple things are great things brought to pass.”

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?

While trolling for gift card ideas, I came across the cutest of all ideas on the BatemanBuzz blog. I knew the second I saw it that I could convert this idea into a favorite gift card holder.

Great Idea For…

This idea is great for birthday, coach’s gift, Father’s Day and any time you want to reward (or say thank you to) someone who is into sports.

Here’s How

• Get a mason jar (I got mine at Walmart), but you could just reach into your cupboard
• Fill jar with gum balls, malt balls, foil wrapped chocolate balls, etc.
• Get a ball-themed gift card like Footlocker, Sports Authority, 24-Hour Fitness, Champs, MLB, Golfsmith, etc.
• Get crafty. Spray paint lid, tie with ribbon. String our “Have a Ball” Gift Card tag on the jar.

So cute. So Easy. What a ball!

Shop digital downloads to make your gift carding easier!

My friend Shannon is SHARING her recipes! This is not small. She’s one of those cooks who makes even the simplest of dishes taste better. She even inspired me to bust out the measuring cups more often than not this past week.

This gift card idea is a tribute to her new Blog, Lucy Jane’s Best. I gotta say, it’s a cute one.

Ingredients

• 1 Measuring Cup (any size)
• 1 Bag of Chocolate Chips
• 1 Gift Card
• 1 Cello Bag
• 1 Ribbon
• Immeasurable Gratitude

Directions

Throw Chocolate Chips in measuring cup. Plop measuring cup in Cello bag. Thread ribbon through hole in gift card backer and tie around bag. Add a heartfelt note with “Gratitude Beyond Measure.” Any gift card will do. A cooking store gift card, if appropriate for the recipient, would be the cherry on top of this delicious idea.

Substitutions

Substitute a measuring cup for any measuring device. And again, any gift card will work. But some fun combos include:

• Ruler with Gift Card to Office Supply Store (Great Teacher Gift!)
• Yardstick with Gift Card to Craft Store
• Measuring Tape with Gift Card to Home Improvement Store
• Sewing Tape Measure with Gift Card to Fabric Store
• Stop Watch or Distance Gauge with Sporting Goods Gift Card (Thanks Coach!)

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!

Jamba Juice is doing it right this holiday season. At participating locations, you can buy a $25 gift card and get a free smoothie. If you’re a Jamba Juice regular, buy the gift card for yourself and start slurping! If you’re going to give a Jamba Juice gift card, then this next offer is even better.

Gift with Purchase

As Kevin B at the San Ramon Jamba Juice explains, for $15, you get a 22 oz. Tumbler and a $5 Jamba Juice gift card. I love ths promotion because it follows my 5 Steps to Better Gift Card Giving. The gift card can be used at a variety of locations, is in a usable amount ($5 is plenty for Jamba Juice), and the recipient gets to “open something.” This would make a great gift for teachers, office staff, and others you want to give a small token to this holiday season.

Add a Personal Scoop

Make it even more personal by putting a list of your favorite smoothies or the “secret Jamba Juice menu” inside the tumbler. Have fun with it.