My kids love gift cards. But they also like to open presents.  I think it’s especially important to give children a little of both—a gift card they can enjoy later attached to something they can open and play with right away.  That “something” doesn’t have to be big or expensive.  I’ve seen kids trample each other for a plastic bracelet or a gummy eraser.  The gesture, in this case, matters significantly more than the content.

Here are some inexpensive ways to gift card kids properly:

• Candy. There I said it.  A gift card to buy something he needs later and candy to make his eyes pop open now.  Add a note that reads, ‘Hope your birthday is as sweet as you are.” This gift never fails.


Pop rocks, music themed cello bag, and music gift card. That's a rockin' gift!

• Music. My daughter asked me to download some Michael Jackson music.  I told her to dig through the old albums in our attic.  Apparently she wanted something with a little better sound quality (and a little less effort).  Get your music-lovin’ lady a gift card for downloadable music, blank CD’s, and printable labels.  She can create and share custom-made mixes with her friends.
• Accessories. Get her a gift card to that kid-trendy hair and jewelry store in the mall. Attach it to a ring pop and a candy necklace. She can accessorize now and when she gets done shopping!
• Cosmetics. My friend Mary who has a couple of teenage daughters says gift cards to trendy cosmetic stores are hot. Attach a gift card to an eyelash curler or inexpensive makeup brush. Love that idea.


Slinky, juggling balls and a gift card to the toy store. Fun now and later!

• Shoes. This isn’t just a girl thing.  Boys like to wear a new pair of shoes right out of the store just as much as girls do.  Get a gift card to the local shoe store and attach it to a colorful set of shoelaces or some crazy socks.  (Am I wrong here?  My boys love new shoes—sneakers, high-tops, cleats, school shoes, wheelies, snow boots, rain boots, shoes with lights—you name it, they’ve asked for it.)
• Ice Cream. Attach a gift card to the ice cream parlor to his favorite topping.  If he’s a younger child, attach the gift card to a travel pack of wet wipes so mom doesn’t come after you later.  We’ve gift carded several birthday kids with ice cream or yogurt and it always gets a reaction at the party.
• Pizza and Tokens. Want to be a hero?  Get your kid a gift card to his favorite pizza place and attach it to a baggy full of tokens or quarters for the arcade games at the restaurant.  (Honestly, he won’t even care about the pizza.)


Crayons and a craft store gift card - perfect for the budding artist

• Toys. I say this with a modicum of hesitation.  I don’t love taking my kids to the toy store, even when we have money to spend.  The number of choices can be overwhelming for all of us. But if you have a kid (and mom) up to the task, then go for it!  Partner a gift card to the toy store with another small toy—one tub of play dough, a yo-yo, or a jump rope.
• Crafts. Craft stores used to be geared only to adults.  But now there are a plethora of art and craft supplies for kids.  I’d take a gift card to the craft store and attach it to a new set of markers, a sponge brush and bottle of paint, or a cornucopia of beads.  Throw a schedule of upcoming classes into the card as well.

If you have an idea of your own, please share it with me.