Gift cards are functional gestures that accommodate any special occasion or holiday. They help shoppers give a gift that allows the recipient to choose what they like best. This method comes in handy for people that have no idea what to get someone, and also saves the day with a last-minute gift idea. However, some people turn their noses up at gift cards because they feel they are impersonal or too small in size. They are sometimes left with a feeling that they “didn’t do enough.” Luckily, dressing up a gift card is a good way to add personal touches and show someone how much you care.
Say ‘goodbye’ to the little envelope and consider the following suggestions:
Helium Balloon
The colorful display and endless number of decorative shapes, sayings and themes make helium balloons a delightful accompaniment to a gift card. Opt for a bouquet of ‘Happy Birthday’ balloons or choose the shape of your nephew’s favorite superhero. When presenting your gift, you can attach to the end of the string or tape the gift on a part of the balloon that conceals the card. Just make sure the balloon doesn’t float away with your gift card before you have a chance to give it to your loved one.
Box of Candy
For the loved one with a sweet tooth that is hard to shop for, consider slipping a gift card inside the lid of a decadent box of chocolates. Amazon.com and Barnes and Nobles gift cards go well with chocolate. If you can stand the suspense, place the gift card underneath the chocolates so as they start to nibble – your sweet gesture is revealed.
Stuffed Animal
Who can resist an adorable teddy bear holding a gift card to Victoria Secrets as a Valentine’s Day gift? A friendly stuffed animal face can also make the transition into a new home more pleasant – especially when holding a gift card to the Home Depot, Pier 1, or Bed, Bath & Beyond.
Hide It in another Gift
You can always purchase a smaller gesture to hide your gift card. For example, coffee lovers will squeal at the added bonus of a Starbucks, Panera Bread, or Dunkin Donuts gift card hiding in a bag of gourmet beans. For the small business owner, slip an Office Max or Staples gift card inside a personalized business card case. Hide a gift card to Michaels or Jo-Ann Fabrics in a basket full of yarn.
Gag Gift
There are plenty of ways to distract and add a laugh to the gift-giving process of your small-sized present. All you have to do is think outside the box and settle on an unusual gesture that opens the door for a welcomed sigh of relief. A few suggestions include:
- Gift an ugly Christmas sweater with a gift card to their favorite department store taped to the label.
- Offer one used shoe from a thrift shop with a gift card to a footwear store, such as Nine West or Zappos slipped inside or taped to the bottom of the heel.
- Wrap a slice of cheesecake with a Cheesecake Factory gift card tucked inside
- Box a Big Mac with a gift card to their favorite restaurant taped to the hamburger’s wrapper
. This is the oldest sewing company and the number one. They even have sergers and books to guide you through how to sew and thread the needles.
When working with a tight gift-giving budget, you don’t have to break the bank on fancy, expensive arrangements. There are plenty of ways to create tasteful gifts on your own. With a little imagination and knowing where to find the best deals, you’re well on your way to putting the finishing touches on a personalized spa gift for your loved one.
What kind of gift basket do you want to create – one that focuses on a specific need, color, or scent? A foot spa gift basket may include a pumice stone, foot scrub, moisturizer, wooden foot massager, spa slippers, pedicure socks, and pedicure tool set. Add a manicure tool set, cuticle cream, nail treatment, scrub brush, hand lotion, and nail polishes to a hand spa gift basket. Treat a loved one to a facial spa gift basket with a relaxing eye mask, exfoliant, moisturizer, lip gloss, facial cleansers, and cooling splashes.
Candles help set the relaxing mood that comes with a pampering spa gift. They are also an inexpensive way to add character, color, and bulk to a gift basket. You can choose from a variety of scents, aromatherapy effects, and colors to match the theme of your gift basket. Choose peppermint to uplift the spirits. Lavender helps calm the nerves. Patchouli is known to jumpstart the romance.
The Internet offers a wide range of opportunities to save money on gifts with a multitude of websites geared towards shoppers looking for deals, discounts, clearances, and super sales. 
