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?

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.

I love baseball season. As much as I tire of washing uniforms and struggling to feed everyone a healthy dinner on game night, I’m a little sad to see it end. My youngest, who waited three years to be old enough to play in the league, would also like to stretch this season into extra innings. He had a great year and especially enjoyed having his Dad for a coach.

At the team party, the parents gave each of the coaches a gift card to REI attached to a bag of trail mix. This gift, though not baseball related, is perfect because it demonstrates that the parents recognize coaching means giving up a great deal of your time. Paul certainly would he would spent more time bike riding, working out, or hanging out by the pool had he not been teaching these little tykes how to play baseball. He’s very excited to use the gift card and to re-engage in some of his favorite past-times now that the season is over.

If you’re thanking a coach, think of what he or she might have done had they not been out on the field with your child. Then get a gift card they can use to return to that activity. If you’re not sure, movie tickets, music, or other entertaininment gift cards will work.

Check out the “Thanks Coach” section for other ideas.

I’m newly addicted to tennis. Growing up, I played basketball, softball, and volleyball. But as I’ve gotten older, finding these sports in an exercise format has gotten increasingly difficult. I’m pretty athletic, so I arrogantly thought I’d throw on a skirt and just start playing tennis. I had intended to pick up golf after that…but forget it now.

Learning tennis has been utterly humbling. Losing to a lady who is so old she carries her racquet in a rolling suitcase and needs her partner to help her down the stairs is just one of many humiliating experiences I’ve endured. There have been times I honestly thought my ego couldn’t take another match. But here I am, still trying to get my toss out in front, brush up the back of the ball, hold my racquet like a snow cone, and keep my feet moving. I vow to beat that old lady one day, even if I have to go to the nursing home to throw down the gauntlet.

Despite all this tennis frustration, today was a good day. My teammates surprised me with a thank you gift for captaining the team. They gave me a new visor and a Visa gift card to buy something from the Nike Summer Line I’ve been eying. Frankly, I should be getting them a gift for allowing me on the team. But I’m thrilled for the opportunity to up my tennis style and very much appreciate their generosity.

I’m especially grateful to my pal Stace who remembered that 2010 is the year I promised to start wearing a visor to cut down on the UV exposure. Stacey is one of the best gift givers I know. She doesn’t need my rules for gift card giving, because everything she does is thoughtful. (And she never gives me a dirty look when I double fault.)

Here are some other ideas for coaches and captains you’d like to thank.