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.

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Be sure the recipient can buy something without spending her own money.

My sister-in-law recently gave each of my children a $10 gift card to Target. Though ten dollars isn’t extravagant, it can be used to buy a variety of things at that particular store. Matthew bought a book. Ally bought a shirt. Michael is saving up for a new Wii game so he put the card away in his wallet. (Good boy!)

The dollar amount you put on a gift card should give the recipient enough buying power to make a purchase without spending additional cash. Otherwise, your well intentions could turn into more of a burden than a gift–requiring the recipient contribute towards his own present or possibly not use the gift card at all.

That doesn’t mean you need to spend more than you can afford on a gift card. Stay within your budget, but choose a gift card accordingly. If your limit is $20, for example, then a gift card to Kohl’s or Jamba Juice, where low-price items are available, would be more fitting than a gift card to Anthropologie or Outback Steakhouse, both of which are more expensive.

Picking the right dollar amount is another way to show you put some thought into selecting a gift card.

Read all of my gift card rules:

• Gift Card Rule #1: It’s Not About You

• Gift Card Rule #2: Location, Location, Location!

• Gift Card Rule #3: Buying Power

• Gift Card Rule #4: Avoid the Gotchas

• Gift Card Rule #5: Something for Now and Later