I’ve been posting a lot of Pinterest crafty gift card holders lately, but not everyone has the desire or time to get all croppy when it comes to delivering a convenient gift.

At Walmart, I saw this “Love ‘em, Bug ‘em” Hallmark gift card holder for kids. They have a variety of “bugs” that you can stuff with gift cards or other treats.

Kids Need More

It is especially important to give kids a little something extra when delivering a gift card. The “extra” does not have to be elaborate or expensive. It can be a pack of gum or a yo-yo. Kids just need a little trinket to play with immediately while waiting for the opportunity to redeem the gift card later. (Actually, we all do. But if you want kids to give you a “reaction,” then be sure to add something that warrants a response.

This “Love ‘em, Bug ‘em” Hallmark gift card holder does the work for you. Pick out a bug, add a gift card, throw in a lollipop…and head to the party.

A magic plastic card that buys stuff is not a new concept to kids. They’ve seen you pull those cards out of your wallet to pay for things a hundred times over. To them, a gift card is no different. It offers buying power.

Power Shift

One of the reasons my kids love gift cards is that having one gives them the power to purchase, the authority to decide. I distinctly remember my son having a fit over a denied request at the store one day. He bellowed, “Why do YOU get to decide what we buy?” Poor kid was so frustrated. My explanation didn’t help, but having a gift card on the next shopping trip did.

Learn how I help my kids shop with gift cards.

Kid in a Candy Store

This same son recently receieved a $5 gift card to Sweet Street, an awesome candy store in our little town. We spent at least 30 minutes going through the options and eventually he picked out two items that I definitely wouldn’t have purchased with my money. But he had the power to decide. (And oh did he relish the opportunity!)

Great Gift Cards for Kids

Five dollars at a candy store is perfect. It’s enough money to buy a treat or two without needing additional money but isn’t so much that the kid will get sick. Here are other inexpensive gift cards kids can enjoy:

• Frozen Yogurt or Ice Cream Store
• Jamba Juice
• See’s candy, chocolate store
• Subway, In-n-Out Burger, or other mom-approved fast-food
• Target or Walmart.

Although $5 at Target or Walmart would be tough because there are so many choices over budget. For stores that carry clothes or toys, a $20 gift card is a better choice.

.

Wish my iPhone had a flash!

I took my kids to see Toy Story 3 this morning. I don’t normally like the animated flicks, but I chuckled even more than the little ones this time. Toys I hadn’t thought about in years showed up on screen like old friends. (Including a few toys I coveted but never got to make friends with, like that three story Barbie Apartment!) But the best part of the day was using the gift card I found last week to offset the cost of admission.

Saving Money

This little Disney-Pixar flashback would have cost me $45 without the gift card. That’s a lot of money for a matinee, especially when I’m trying to stretch the family budget across a summer’s worth of activities.

While a movie gift card may no longer be the most original gift to give, it’s still a great gift for a kid, teen, family, or anybody who likes to go to the theater. The recipient might not use it right away, but is certain to appreciate it when they do.

Make the Movie Gift Card More Personal

Partner a movie gift card with some movie snacks, popcorn, or something relevant to the movie you think they’re most likely to see. For Toy Story 3, for example, get a slinky akin to the one in the movie. For the new Twilight movie, Eclipse, get a gift card to the movies with some fake blood and vampire teeth. Or, if you’re like me, a movie gift card would go perfect with a purse size salt shaker for the tub of popcorn I’d buy once I got there.