Gift Card tree from MomLogic.com

I saw this teacher gift on Mom Logic and just had to share. While I agree it is a perfect gift for our fabulous teachers, I think it could be used for any group gift.

As Michele Ashamalla explains, the group organizer purchases a little tree or plant and invites participants to contribute gift cards to adorn the tree.  Givers can select gift cards for any store and in any denomination.  I love this idea for several reasons:

1. Often times a group organizer can’t make the group purchase until just before the event because sttragglers invariably turn in money late or people who committed to a certain amount opt out at the last minute.
2. People feel pressured to contribute a certain dollar amount. With gift cards, the contribution is anonymous and even a $5 gift card to the right store (Jamba Juice, Coldstone, Starbucks) is still a treat.
3. Presentation. I’m all about giving gift cards in a way that the recipient gets a moment of discovery–a chance to open something. Though in this case wrapping paper isn’t part of the equation, perusing all the gift cards certainly qualifies as a “moment.”
4. Variety and Creativity. This might not seem like a creative gift, but I imagine some parents got very creative in getting gift cards to a variety of fun places, everything from office supply to restaurants and salons. For a baby shower, I’d expect to see gift cards to baby stores, video rental, take-out food, the drug store, and so forth.

Consider a group gift card tree next time you have a baby shower, wedding shower, or graduation party to attend.  This would also make a terrific thank you gift from everyone at the office.

For years we’ve had a Christmas giving tree at our church.  Every year parishioners selected an ornament listing the age and gender of a child in need and returned the following week with a present for the designated child.  Some bought clothes, some bought toys.  All of us had to guess sizes and interests.  (Does an 8-year-old girl wear a size a size 8 or 10?  Does she like girly-girl sweaters or tom-boy hoodies?  Did she secretly ask Santa for a pair of roller blades or a doll to cuddle?)  The stress of making the right choice sometimes sucked the charitable spirit right out of me.

Thank goodness we’re doing something different this year.  A rebel in the congregation (and it wasn’t me, I swear) suggested we donate gift cards instead.  Amen to that!  We’ve been asked to purchase as many $10 gift cards as we can afford from one of three places—a grocery store, discount retailer, or clothing store.  The gift cards will be bundled up and delivered to families in need. 

By giving gift cards instead of gifts, I think we’re actually doing more for the families.  We’re not only providing Christmas, but we’re giving mom the ability to shop for her children—to pick out what she knows they need.  We’re giving her the opportunity to not only fill the cupboards with food, but set the holiday table with family favorites.  The visual warms my heart.

In these troubled times, I’m sure we won’t quite have enough gift cards to do all that we’d like, but the families receiving the gift will be able to do more than they could have otherwise.  And that’s a good reason to gift card.