Gift cards have gotten a bad rap over the years because it feels like the lazy way to offer gifts. But that doesn’t have to be the case if you are using creative ways to give gift cards.

Despite the negative connotation, gift cards are still great to offer as gifts because:

• The gift-giver can often offer gift cards in the value they choose. This is particularly the case with gift cards from places like Starbucks, Amazon, etc.
• The receiver can choose to buy whatever they want. With gift cards, you are not dealing with unwanted gifts.

Gift cards are particularly popular (and appreciated) as gifts for teachers or as baby shower prizes. It’s a smart and easy option, and prize winners are likely to love AND use it.

But how do you present your gift cards? Below are a few cute and clever gift card giving ideas:

Creative Ways To Give Gift Cards

1. Offer Gift Cards As A Bouquet

This idea is particularly popular as gifts for teachers. It’s really pretty too.

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1. Present Gift Cards In Altoid Boxes

You can decorate altoid boxes, (or anything similar) however you like.

If you are offering them as baby shower prizes, you could decorate them with the same color as your baby shower theme.

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1. Hide Gift Cards In A Jar Of Candy

You can fill mason jars with any candy, and hide the gift cards inside. The gift receiver will expect a jar of candy, and be surprised by the gift card.

Make your jars extra pretty by decorating it with ribbon.

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1. Add It Into a To-Go Cup

This is very sweet and easy to do. You can use a to-go cup from a local coffee shop, and add simple decor to it.

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1. Place It In A Decorated Mug

Instead of a to-go cup, you can add it to a mug, travel mug or smoothie cup. Add some decorations and embellishments to make it extra special.

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1. Tie It To A Pillow

This could go with any gift card that is related to luxury, travel or relaxation.

If your gift is a hotel stay or vacation, you could tie an Airbnb gift card, a Hotels.com gift card or something similar to a cute pillow.  You could even be creative with the pillow itself. For example, if the gift card is related to a golf getaway, you could tie your golf gift card to a golf pillow.

If the person is flying, you could tie a Southwest Airlines gift card, to a travel pillow, to for example.

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1. Attach It To A Candy Bouquet

This is a versatile and simple gift. You can do this for any occasion – Birthdays, teachers gifts, fathers day, mother day gifts, Friday, etc.

If the gift recipient has a sweet tooth, it would feel even more special.

It’s so easy to make, and this is a cheap gift too! If you are on a budget but you want it to look and feel expensive, this is a great option. Here’s how you create your own candy bouquet:

• Get a simple vase from the Dollar Store or use one you already have on hand;
• Get cellophane gift wrap in the color of your choice, and place it inside your vase;
• Fill your vase ¾ with small candies;
• Using sticky tape, tape your selected gift card to a skewer stick or any long sticks you have on hand. Stick it into the vase with your small candies;
• Fill your vase all the way up to overflowing with bigger candies;
• Tie a pretty bow to it and Voila! You’re done.
• You could add an additional skewer stick with a message on it, but that’s optional.

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1. Present Gift Cards In A Gift Card Wallet

If you are handy with a sewing machine, you can make these yourself or buy it from Etsy.

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1. Display It In A Take-Out Box

These gift card ideas are very cute and great as teacher appreciation gifts.

To do this Asian food theme, you’d have to get Chinese takeout food containers. Fill them with fortune cookies and add a gift card to a local Chinese restaurant.  You can also add a cute message like: “We have been so very fortunate to have you as a teacher.”

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1. Put It Into A Balloon

If you are adding only a gift card, you can get away with using regular balloons. You will need to blow up and inflate the balloon once or twice to stretch it before stuffing the gift card into the balloon. Then blow it up as normal.

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1. Add It To A Related Gift

What you attach your gift card to, will depend entirely on what the gift card is. In this example, the gift card to a nail boutique was tied to a bottle of nail polish. Both were then placed tastefully on a bed of cotton balls, inside a gift box. Very chic (yet inexpensive)!

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1. Add Gift Cards & Goodies To A Giant Balloon

If you are trying to add big things, you’ll need giant balloons and a balloon stuffing machine.

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1. Combine Gift Cards With Other Complimentary Gifts

The trick is to find gifts that complement the gift card. For example, if you are offering a Massage & Wellness gift card, you could add in spa slippers, fancy hand lotion and other goodies. If you are doing a Sephora or Ulta gift card, you could put in nail polish, lip balm or other complimentary goodies.

Tie it all together in a pretty ribbon and you’re good to go.

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1. Gift Card Stuffed Into Popcorn

Stuffing a gift card into popcorn goes perfectly with the movie theme, or a “dinner and a movie” theme.

Once you have your gift cards, you can add them into pretty popcorn boxes.

If you are offering these as baby shower prizes, you can add them into popcorn boxes that match your baby shower theme, like princess, twinkle twinkle little star, woodland theme, it’s a boy, it’s a girl, Aztec, nautical, etc.

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1. Add Gift Cards To A Snow Globe

Here’s a tutorial on how to make your own snow globe and gift card.

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1. Attach It To Things That Come In A Bunch

Bananas, grapes, and flowers come in bunches. Whatever you choose to offer, it would tie nicely with your message of saying “thanks a bunch.”

This is great as a teacher’s gift! You can find the free printable here.

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1. A Simple Gift Box

This is ever so simple yet appreciated because you took the time to put your gift card into a gift box. You can get gift card sized gift boxes almost everywhere. If it doesn’t come with a bow, get some ribbon and tie it to your gift box. The ribbon ads that little extra touch that says “I appreciate you,” or “Thank you.”

Is a gift card a bad gift?

Many consider gift cards to be impersonal. They create the impression that the gift giver is lazy. However, this is not the case if the gift card was thoughtfully chosen. If the gift card is offered in beautiful packaging, with a heartfelt note, it will be appreciated.

How can I make my gift card more personal?

1. Pick a gift card to a store that you know they will love.

2. Offer it to them with creative packaging. It could be inside a gift basket, a gift wallet, a balloon, flowers, etc;

3. Write a heartfelt message.