Unless you’re new to this site, you know that I love the iTunes gift card. It’s so versatile. You can use it to download music, apps, games, and more. The gift cards are easy to redeem and you don’t need an iPhone or iPod to use it. It’s a great gift for young and old alike.

Heart Card

Target has an iTunes gift cards with little headphones in the shape of a heart. So cute. I had to try it out with my classic, “You Rock” gift card holder.

I filled a mason jar with rock candy. But you could also deliver it with Pop Rocks candy, Rocky Road candy bar, Rock Star energy drink, and beyond.

Or get the kids involved and paint rocks for the garden. It’s so easy to improvise!

Gift Card Tag

Download the “You Rock” digital download to get started. If you’re not in the mood to do it yourself, you can buy it here and I’ll do the work for you.

Check here for other Valentine’s Day gift card ideas.

The gift card my mom deserves

I’m a fan of buying gift cards at the grocery store kiosk for a few reasons. The first is convenience. I can pick up a gift while taking care of dinner, soccer snacks, and a hundred other things. The second is selection. I can choose from shoe stores and movie gift cards to office supply stores and restaurants. Choice is good. The third reason I like to buy gift cards at the grocery store is because I can buy the little goodies I like to pair with gift cards. It’s truly one-stop shopping and that’s a gift for this busy mom.

Mom’s Birthday

Today is my mom’s birthday. After being a stay-at-home mom to seven kids for nearly 30 years, there isn’t a gift card big enough to thank my mom for all she’s done. I’m wiped out raising three…seven doesn’t seem possible.

So in honor of my mom, I’m profiling her favorite gift card–the My Choice gift card at the Gift Card Mall in Safeway. With this ultra convenient gift card, the recipient takes the My Choice card back to Safeway (or an affiliate grocery store) and buy anything in the store OR exchange it for a different gift card.

Her Choice

In her own words, she says, “I received a $25 My Choice card for Admin’s day. And don’t think I didn’t ponder plenty on which card to exchange it for. But now that I am really using my new Ipod, I exchanged it for some iTunes today! I feel I got something I really wanted, when I really wanted it. The gift card mall has so many choices. I could have used it towards a Southwest trip or JoAnn Fabrics, both would have been fun. But TODAY, I wanted ITunes and didn’t have to spend my own $.”

My Choice

So there’s a shout out to the My Choice card at the Gift Card Mall. If I’d received the gift card today, I would have exchanged it for Golfsmith where I could buy a new tennis skirt without feeling guilty. Tomorrow, I’d probably be looking at the movies because the kids are out of school for labor day weekend and we’re going to need a little entertainment. One option is a treat for me. Another option is a treat for the family. Either way, what gift I end up with would be “my choice.”

What would be your choice?

We have a winner.

I enjoyed reading all the ways in which your pops rock. I noticed something as well.

As moms, we’re just supposed to be there all the time–doing, making, supporting, lifting, uplifting, and doing a number of things to keep the cogs in the family wheel moving. Dads, on the other hand, seem to have a simpler roll: earn a living, be the heavy when needed, and nod in agreement to whatever mom decides.

What is apparent from reading your comments, however, is that when Dad comes up strong–offers a shoulder to cry on, says the right thing at the right time, tells you he loves you, or forgives you for doing something stupid–we notice. In fact, everything men do above basic parenting is a gift that appears to be recognized and appreciated. I’m saying this in a loving way. I’m saying this with new found insight as to the impact a father (or father-figure) can have on a child.

So I’m happy to announce the winner of the “My Pop Rocks” gift card contest is Jill who says not only does she know her dad rocks, but the whole community has it figured out as well. Congrats to Jill for winning and to her pop for being such a good guy. It really does matter.

In honor of my dad, who really rocks...

Just out of high school, my dad started a band, cut a record, and signed a recording contract. After a little success and a few eye-opening experiences, he decided to go on a church mission and get his education instead.

Though his rock star days were short lived, he never stopped singing and playing the guitar at home. He often kicked off bedtime with a series of rock ‘n’ roll songs before ending with possibly the worst lullaby ever—“Old Shep” by Elvis. (The boy has to shoot his own dog. Are you kidding me Dad?)

In honor of my Dad and his sometimes poor song choices, we’re announcing the “My Pop Rocks!” Gift Card Giveaway for Father’s Day.

One winner, selected at random, will receive $60 in iTunes gift cards and a pack of Pop Rocks candy. You can take this idea, add a note telling dad why he rocks, and you’re all set for Father’s Day!

To enter this contest, leave a comment telling me why your pop rocks! And it doesn’t have to be music related. My pop also rocks because he taught me the value of hard work, how to make a lay-up, and got me interested in computers at a young age.

And don’t forget, we have other Father’s Day ideas on the site or you can take one of our birthday ideas for him and change the greeting.

Ok, answer the question! Why does your pop rock?

Legal Stuff: Contest open to continental US residents only. Contest ends Sunday, June 20^that midnight PST. Winner will be notified by e-mail. Be sure our e-mail address (shelley@giftcardgirlfriend.com) clears your spam filter. If winner doesn’t respond within one month, a runner-up will be chosen.

Put yourself on the Nice list.

Still trying to figure out what to get your boyfriend, girlfriend, or spouse for Christmas this year? Maybe you’re over thinking it. We only launched this web site a couple of weeks ago and already readers are telling us we’ve changed the course of their holiday shopping. Instead of stressing at the mall, they’re multi-tasking at the grocery store. Instead of fretting over sizes, likes, and dislikes, they’re gift carding with confidence—anxious for the recipient to open their gift. (When was the last time you gave someone a gift card and couldn’t wait for them to open it?)

Get inspired from suggestions sent in by some of our readers:

• Nice List.  With a note pad and a pen, attach a gift card to the department store. That’s what Carole did and then she wrote, “Make your OWN list.  Check it Twice.  Then with this gift card.  Get YOURSELF something nice.”

Restaurant gift card and Beano for the old farts!

• Seasons Greetings.  Attach a gift card to the cooking store, BBQ store, grocery store, or any old store to a bottle of seasoning or marinade. Write “Seasons Greetings” on the tag. Go one level deeper and select a seasoning appropriate for the gift card.  Chipotle seasoning with a Chipotle restaurant gift card, for example.
• Yule log.   Attach a family entertainment gift card (movies, video, bowling, etc.) to a Duraflame log.  Write, “Hoping YULE have a Merry Christmas” or “Warmest Wishes this Holiday Season.”
• Warm Wishes.  Warm greetings are also appropriate with a pair of gloves, a scarf, or some hand warmers.  Attach those to a gift card to a café or any place you can get a delicious mug of hot chocolate and be sure to add “Warmest Wishes” to the card.
• Old Fart.  Brooke took gift carding to a new (lower) level with this restaurant gift card attached to a bottle of Beano.  She wrote, “Happy date night you old farts!”
• Dreaming of.  Get a gift card to Dream Dinners or any place designed to help busy women (make and take dinners, spa, salon).  Tell her you’re “Dreaming of a White Christmas” and a day she doesn’t have to work so hard.
• Rock my world.  Get a gift card for downloadable music and write a note that says, “You Rock my World.” Add it to something romantic like a box of chocolates, a candle, or a fun pair of pj’s.

Check out the For Her and For Him sections for more gift carding ideas you can pull together in time for Christmas.