Hosting a party or receiving guests can be a lot of work. Get a gift card that

• makes the next party easier to throw (cooking store, barbeque store, etc.),
• helps clean up after the mess (carpet cleaner, home improvement, etc.),
• enables the host to relax when the gathering is over (spa, book, movie).

See what’s available in the GCG Store.

Kindness Beyond Measure

Get Inspired: Put a tape measure with a gift card to a home improvement store, a measuring cup with a gift card to the cooking store, or a fabric tape measure with a gift card to the fabric store. Write a note, “Your hospitality is without measure.”

Read how I took this gift card idea and turned it into a winning recipe.

Thanks for Serving Us

Get Inspired: Deliver a gift card with a pie or cake server. The gift card can (but doesn’t have to) go along with the server. For example, a gift card to Applebee’s with an apple pie server would make for a cute play on words. But an Visa Gift Card set inside a fruit tray or attached to a nice serving spoon would be just as sweet. Add a note that reads, “Thank you for Serving Us!”

Coming Over for the Big Game

Get Inspired:A fun host gift for the big game is a gift card to the BBQ store, sporting goods store, or beverage store. Attach it to your homemade dip or few favorite recipes for man-friendly snacks such as hot wings, nachos, or a spicy dip. Throw in a bottle of Tums and they’ll think of you fondly when the fat lady sings.

On GiftCardMall.com, you can get an NFL gift card or choose a gift card for a favorite team.

Barbeque Party

Get Inspired: Get a gift card for the local butcher and include a new recipe, rub, or barbecue utensil. Or get a gift card to the barbecue supply store instead. With a gift card to Omaha Steaks, the hosts can even have meat delivered for the next party.

Save the Drama!

Get Inspired: Get the hostess a gift card to the movies or a local DVD rental location. Attach it to some movie popcorn and theater snacks. Then scribe, “Hope this is the only drama at the party!”

Time to Read

Get Inspired: After the party is over, she’ll have time to finally catch up on her reading. Get the hostess a gift card to the bookstore and offer suggestions for books you’ve really enjoyed. Or pair the card with a homemade bookmark telling her all the reasons you appreciate her as a friend. She’ll love the new book and treasure the sentimental bookmark.

Gourmet Group

Get Inspired: If you’re a food loving group, get a gift card to the kitchen store, cooking store, gourmet food counter and attach it to a brightly colored silicone spatula, a basting brush, a flavored oil, or a new spice the host can experiment with in the kitchen. You could even attach a cooking gift card to something as simple as a stack of your favorite recipes or fresh vegetables from the garden. The host is sure to relish the thoughtfulness as much as the gift card itself.

Spa Girl

Get Inspired: Get a gift card to the spa, pilates studio, salon or another place in town that offers rest and relaxation. Add a scented candle or her favorite chocolate bar. Entertaining is fun but she may need to take a deep breath and put her feet up after the party is over.

Dining Out

Get Inspired: If the host or hostess has been cooking for you, get a gift card for a meal somebody else prepares after you’re gone. Along with that, give up your grandmother’s secret cookie recipe, a jar of homemade salsa, or fresh herbs from the garden. Bring a little of your home to theirs.

Thanks for Going to Extremes for Us

Get Inspired: Add a gift card to XTREME, EXTRA, or a SUPER snack and you’re ready to deliver a hearty “Thanks for going to Extremes for Our Visit!” or “Thanks for all the EXTRA work you did to have us here.”

This is a good time to select a gift card from a store like Walmart that lets you customize to gift card itself.