Did you know that you can shop Costco WITHOUT a membership? According to this article I read on the Plastic Jungle Blog, you can enter and shop this members-only retailer with a Costco Cash Card instead.

That’s great news because it means you can GIVE a Costco gift card without fretting over the recipient’s membership status.

Who Wants a Costco Cash Card?

There is always something I WANT at Costco, but have to exercise self-control to keep out of the cart. How fun would it be to shop Costco with a gift card instead!?! Sign me up!

A Costco Cash Card makes a great gift for:

• Mother’s Dad – Yes, there are groceries galore. Explain that this gift card is only good for personal shopping. Then hold her to it!
• Father’s Day – Does he even know there are golf clubs, tents, batteries, and more inside this super store? I’m not sure I want my husband to find out.
• Graduation – Grad can stock up on everything from business suits to printer paper and a year’s supply of deoderant.
• Family – Besides the mundane things each family needs, Costco has great equipment for family playtime such as camping, water skiing, snow skiing, tennis, and backyard equipment. I’m not sure I want my kids to see this stuff either.

Costco simply works for a broad range of occasions and people–including Thank You gifts for coach, teacher, admin, and beyond.

Can Costco Deliver?

One drawback of a Costco Cash Card is that it is not fancy–in the least. But I think you can get around this limitation with a few tips.

Double your Discount

Costco also sells discount gift cards for local restaurants and attractions. If you take advantage of Plastic Jungle’s discount Costco Cash Card, you’re already saving 2% on your purchases. If you use THAT cash card to purchase a gift card AT Costco, then the savings increase. You’ll stack a 2% Plastic Jungle savings onto a roughly 20% Costco gift card savings. Nice.

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?

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.

Parents required to buy $5000 in gift cards?

In this article about a school’s gift card fundraising program, Sarah Lorge Butler writes that she is not only required to participate, but is obligated to buy $5,000 worth of gift cards to net the school $250. While Butler has the option to write a check to the school for $250, the program gives parents a way to buy things they’d normally buy without spending additional money. In other words, buy $5000 in gift cards to the grocery store, hardware store, office supply store, and so forth. Then use the cards every time you shop. Proponents of the plan say it’s better than pressuring parents into buying wrapping paper, cookie dough, or other fundraising products they don’t need. I get it. But the limit is way too steep for my budget.

In addition to personal shopping, here are a few ways Butler can meet her obligation:

1. Offer to buy the group gift. Think about upcoming baby showers, bridal showers, coach gift, teacher gifts, and other occassions where people pitch in to buy one big gift. Collect money from participants and buy the gift card through the fundraiser program.
2. Give gift cards to her kids. I use gift cards to teach my kids about money because it helps them learn that plastic money (credit cards, debit cards, and gift cards) isn’t limitless. It may seem that way to little eyes when mom pulls a card out at every cash register, but not so. Gift cards help kids learn to shop within a budget. So Butler might consider getting gift cards for times when she might otherwise give her kids cash–allowance, vacation spending money, birthdays, etc.
3. Plan ahead. Think holidays, birthdays, graduation for the year and buy gift cards in advance so you don’t end up buying other things at the last minute. Don’t worry that gift cards will feel impersonal, most people love to receive them and you can add a personal touch using one of my many ideas. And don’t worry about these gift cards expiring because gift card laws have changed. No fees for a year and no expiration for at least five.
4. Build a stash. Buy extra gift cards to pull out for birthdays and special occasions you hadn’t planned for. I usually have a few extra iTunes gift cards on hand because it is a gift card nearly everybody enjoys and can be used anywhere. Amazon.com, Fandango, and online bookstores would also be good.

For any gift card purchased, I’d be sure to enter and track them in an app like Tango Card. This will not only help Butler use the cards purchased, but could speed check out processes that sometimes work faster if you know the balance on the card before starting the transaction.

The whole family makes a sacrifice when a parent is the coach.

Last year, my husband helped coach my son’s basketball team. At the end of the season, one of the moms gave me an orchid and said, “We know it’s a sacrifice for you to have your husband coach.” This sweet gesture has stayed with me ever since–recognizing that coaching is a family commitment.

I’m in charge of the coaches gifts for my older son’s baseball team. Following her example, I got each coach a gift card to the movie theater and a bowl full of movie-themed treats. On the card I wrote, “We know the family gave up a lot to have you coach our boys. We are grateful for your family and hope you enjoy a nice night out. You all deserve it!”

Check here for other Thank You Coach ideas.