For me, Target is more than a store–it’s an experience. Unlike Wal-Mart, K-Mart, and other discount retailers who just want me to buy things, Target ushers me into the store with fountain drinks at the ready, returns that are easy, and designer duds at a discount. For these reasons and more, I’d rather shop Target than most other places.

Dress up a Target Gift Card

Target also does a good job of turning their gift cards into little gifts. Though not all come with an accessory, many do. Some, like the one shown, also contain a message.

Because of the cute floral pattern, I’d do one of the following with a Target gift card on Mother’s Day:

• Prop the flower gift card up in a potted plant
• Tie the gift card to a watering can (Target has several and they are SO cute.)
• Slip the gift card inside a new pair of gardening gloves
• Pair the flower card with a garden scented candle or air freshener

And don’t worry if Mom doesn’t like the accessory you selected. Target takes back almost anything. Maybe I’ll see you in the return line this Monday.

We often talk about ways to make gift cards more personal because simply handing over a piece of plastic as a gift can make you feel sheepish. Unless there is something to look at (or “ooh and ahh” over), the gift exchange can feel awkward.

But in this case, the plastic is worth reviewing–and passing around the party.

Oh yeah, the gift card is for Outback Steakhouse. (If that matters.)

What Goes with Tim?

If you insist on dressing up this hunky gift card, below are a few suggestions:

• Deliver the gift card with a mix CD of your favorite Tim McGraw songs
• Deliver it with other things that are HOT such as Hot Tamales candy, Red Hots, Flaming Hot Cheetos, or Hot Sauce
• Complete the duo by pairing a Tim McGraw gift card with a Faith Hill CD or an inspirational quote, wall vinyl, or book on Faith.

Or….

Do Nothing. Like I said. This is one time when the plastic itself feels more like a present than just a placeholder.

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A mani/pedi gift card is a fabulous gift for any occasion. But once redeemed, the polish wears off the gift rather quickly. Deliver the gift card in a kid-stamped holder, however, and the recipient will have a keepsake that is still around when the last coat fades.

Get Stampin’ or Snapin’

For a pedicure gift card, stamp the kids’ feet or take pictures of their little piggy toes. Put the finished product in a nice frame or just make a construction paper card out of it. The artwork doesn’t have to be fancy. Then insert a pedicure gift card and write, “From our feet to yours!”

For a manicure, use the hands instead. “From our fingers to yours,” is just as sweet. Get creative. Like the butterfly shown above, think of all that handstamp art your kids brought home from kindergarten. Let’s see…thumbprint ladybugs, handprint turkeys, two-hand spiders, and more. A quick search of “kid handprint art” on Google should give you plent of ideas.

Get Inspired

There are many ways to deliver “hands” and “feet” to mom on Mother’s Day. I’ve seen handprint pendants, tiles, and more. This clay print from The Artful Crafter would be perfect for the mother of a small child.

If your kids are older, get creative. My 7-year-old boy has his daddy’s feet and it’s not pretty (just being honest here.) I’d love to capture those flat arches in a photo, stamp, or clay impression to really savour how cute they are now (before they turn into big, flat, man feet.)

That’s great news because it means you can GIVE a Costco gift card without fretting over the recipient’s membership status.

Who Wants a Costco Cash Card?

There is always something I WANT at Costco, but have to exercise self-control to keep out of the cart. How fun would it be to shop Costco with a gift card instead!?! Sign me up!

A Costco Cash Card makes a great gift for:

• Mother’s Dad – Yes, there are groceries galore. Explain that this gift card is only good for personal shopping. Then hold her to it!
• Father’s Day – Does he even know there are golf clubs, tents, batteries, and more inside this super store? I’m not sure I want my husband to find out.
• Graduation – Grad can stock up on everything from business suits to printer paper and a year’s supply of deoderant.
• Family – Besides the mundane things each family needs, Costco has great equipment for family playtime such as camping, water skiing, snow skiing, tennis, and backyard equipment. I’m not sure I want my kids to see this stuff either.

Costco simply works for a broad range of occasions and people–including Thank You gifts for coach, teacher, admin, and beyond.

Can Costco Deliver?

One drawback of a Costco Cash Card is that it is not fancy–in the least. But I think you can get around this limitation with a few tips.

Double your Discount

Costco also sells discount gift cards for local restaurants and attractions. If you take advantage of Plastic Jungle’s discount Costco Cash Card, you’re already saving 2% on your purchases. If you use THAT cash card to purchase a gift card AT Costco, then the savings increase. You’ll stack a 2% Plastic Jungle savings onto a roughly 20% Costco gift card savings. Nice.

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.”

Plus, multiple diaper boxes are difficult to lug home from the shower and can be difficult to store.

Diaper Gift Card

Get a gift card for Diapers at a drug-store, Target, Wal-Mart, Amazon, or the grocery store. Many of these places have gift cards with graphics showing new baby designs.

Then pair the diaper gift card with a box of wipes or your favorite rash cream (mine is Bag Balm).

Stretch Gift with Coupons

Here’s the creative part. Go crazy looking for diaper coupons. They are available in the newspaper, magazines, the pediatrician’s office, online, etc. Gather all kinds, regardless of the brand.

Deliver this stack of coupons with your diaper gift card. Diapers are expensive, but new moms don’t often have time to be coupon clipping. Since you did the work for her, she’ll be able to stretch the diaper gift card even further. Your service will be remembered.

More Baby Ideas

I just updated the New Baby section on Gift Card Girlfriend, so look here for more gift card ideas. I love those that are practical and still give you the opportunity to add a personal touch.