Posts Tagged: "gift card"

Clever First Birthday Gift

Princess Diana - April 18, 2017 - Birthday, Kids

When my son, Axl, turned one year old, my father arrived to the birthday party with the most clever and thoughtful gift!

It didn’t come wrapped up with a big bow or in a gift bag with tissue paper like the other birthday gifts.

Because it actually wasn’t for my son…

Clever First Birthday Gift

It was for his parents – my husband and me. It was a gift card to a local restaurant with a handwritten message that read:

Happy Birthday from Axl
Thank you for having me!

A gift “from my son” to his parents so we could go on a date night. Talk about a thoughtful twist to a first birthday gift!

Splurge on a Fancy Dinner | Culinary Experience

Princess Diana - January 31, 2017 - Anniversary, Birthday, Christmas, Congratulations, Experiences, Father's Day, Food & Drinks, Mother's Day, Valentine's Day, Wedding

Have you every wanted to try an expensive restaurant but always talked yourself out of going there?

I’m guilty.

There is an expensive steak restaurant near where I live that I’ve always wanted to try. It’s so close to my house I drive by it almost every day.

The restaurant has a great reputation, and I’ve heard about the delicious food from lots of people I know. So why haven’t I gone there yet?

It’s not that I can’t afford it. I just always come up with different reasons not to. Let’s see…

I’d rather spend that money on something else I want. I feel guilty spending that much money on steak when I’m perfectly happy with the steak served at other less expensive restaurants. I end up deciding to try another new restaurant in town that isn’t so expensive.

But guess what this lucky lady got for Christmas?! My thoughtful husband gave a gift card to the expensive steak restaurant in my Christmas stocking!

Since I would never splurge on going to that restaurant, he decided he would do it for me!

Gift Card to New Store in Town

Queen Darlene - October 20, 2016 - $20 or Less, Anniversary, Birthday, Christmas, Experiences, Father's Day, Mother's Day, Teacher Gifts, Thank You, Valentine's Day

It’s fun to experience a new store in your town or city. The excitement and buzz of a grand opening is usually all over the media and the talk of the office.

For my birthday, my boss gave me a gift card to Trader Joe’s that recently opened its first store in Oklahoma City.

What a pleasant surprise! I’ve been to Trader Joe’s in other cities and have waited 26 years for it to open here because I love Trader Joe’s!

When we visit our friends in New Mexico, we always make a stop and purchase what we can haul back home in the car!

I like finding unique, interesting and delicious foods at reasonable prices and can’t wait to see if they still carry my favorite granola nut cereal, a Trader Joe’s specialty.

Let Them Drive a Clean & Shiny Car | Car Wash Gift Card

Princess Diana - February 2, 2016 - Anniversary, Birthday, Business, Christmas, Father's Day, Gifts for Him, Mother's Day, Teacher Gifts, Thank You, Valentine's Day

No one wants to own that filthy car in the parking lot that just begs people to draw “Wash Me” on it. Whether someone’s a car enthusiast or not, we all like to drive a clean and shiny car.

For me, I’m good about keeping the outside of my car clean during the summer when I don’t mind washing it in my driveway or at the self-service car wash.

But in the winter, fuhgeddaboudit. It’s too cold for me to care!

Then there’s my husband, who practically washes his car once every week. If he goes longer than two weeks, it really starts to bug him.

Even though we don’t have the exact same cleanliness standards when it comes to our cars, my husband and I would both enjoy receiving the same gift – a gift card to use for things like car washes, auto detailing and car waxes. (Psst… don’t tell my husband but he’s getting one for Valentine’s Day!)

It’s the perfect gift for him and the perfect gift for her!

Pop-Up Cash | Gas Money Surprise

Princess Diana - October 19, 2015 - Birthday, Christmas, Money

Getting to drive is what makes turning 16 so sweet! A driver’s license equals freedom and independence… if you happen to have both a car and gas money.

Thanks to my parents, I had a car to drive. But until I found a part-time job, I was strapped for gas money and could only fill my gas tank $5 at a time.

Many teenage drivers feel the same pinch when it comes to gas money and probably even more so with today’s higher fuel prices. That’s why gas money and gas cards will always be a thoughtful gift for high school and college students.

But let’s not be boring by giving cash in an envelope. Presentation and the element of surprise go a long way when giving cash.

Money Puzzles Make Opening Cash Gifts Fun

Princess Diana - August 24, 2015 - Gifts for Him, Graduation, Kids, Money

Give a gift they’ll have to play to win!

Money Puzzles are like a toy or game with a cash prize inside.

Kids and adults alike will love the novelty and challenge of receiving a money puzzle. Only by solving the puzzle or brain teaser can they access the cash. It’s fun to make them work at least a little bit for it!

Besides cash, money puzzles can be used to give checks and gift cards. They’re much more fun than opening an envelope or gift card holder.

Many money puzzles consist of a clear plastic container that allows gift recipients to see the money or gift card they’ve been given. It’s impossible to open the container until a small silver ball is successfully completed through a maze.

That’s what makes this gift idea so fun and different! The gift recipient must complete a challenge before earning their “prize.” Sometimes, the whole family gets involved and takes turns taking a crack at it.

Manly Memento Box | Birthday Gift for Boy

Queen Darlene - May 21, 2015 - Birthday, Christmas, Gifts for Him, Kids

My nephew is turning 11 years old, and I wanted to give him a memento box to keep his priceless treasures. I know kids really like anything electronic these days, but hear me out on this one.

memento-box-boy-birthday-thoughtful-gift-idea

click to enlarge

Guys have tool boxes, tackle boxes for fishing gear, and even leather boxes for their watches and jewelry. Guys have boxes for their stuff! Women, on the other hand, have purses, jewelry boxes, and hope chests for their stuff.

Never thought about it that way have you?

I started giving “manly” boxes to birthday boys in their preteens for their keepsake items. I tell them it’s a treasure chest to keep their cool stuff inside. Continue Reading

Play on Words Add Special Touch to Gifts

Princess Diana - September 25, 2014 - $20 or Less, Anniversary, Birthday, Christmas, Teacher Gifts

For my mother-in-law’s birthday, I bought her a gift card to a local shop that specializes in flavor infused olive oils and balsamic vinegars.

I knew she’d love it because my boss loved her Premium Olive Oil and Vinegar With State-Shaped Cutting Board gift that I gave her for Christmas from the same store.

I gave her a gift card so she could pick out her own flavors of olive oil and balsamic vinegar but a gift card just isn’t much fun to open. So what did I do?

I added a “thoughtful twist” to the gift card by creating a cute card on the easy peasy photo editing website PicMonkey. I combined a photo of my son, a chalkboard overlay, some doodle heart overlays, and text that said:

Oil always love my Mimi! Continue Reading

House Cleaning Services Gift Certificate | Baby Shower Gift

Princess Diana - June 24, 2014 - Baby Shower

Who deserves a vacation from house cleaning the most? New mothers.

house cleaning gift certificate with baby bath time gift set

Pair a housing cleaning gift certificate with baby bath products for a baby shower gift that will truly be appreciated!

They’re so busy taking care of a newborn baby who depends on them for E-V-E-R-Y-T-H-I-N-G they don’t have time for anything else!

Here’s the reality though. While new moms get that cleaning is not their highest priority at the moment, they still stress about needing to clean. It seriously weighs on their mind.

Here’s what’s probably going through their heads:

The piles of laundry just keep getting bigger and bigger. Make it stop!

Is that food crust on the floor from the spaghetti we ate two weeks ago?

What are people going to think when they come over? I hope they understand this is not how we normally live.

Thanks honey for cleaning the house but why does it still look so dirty??

How to Buy Your Wife Gifts That Won’t Get Returned

Princess Diana - February 14, 2014 - Anniversary, Birthday, Christmas, Money, Mother's Day, Valentine's Day

Queen Darlene and I have a co-worker who follows our blog. He sent us an email one day after one of our gift ideas reminded him of a gift-giving strategy that has served him well as a husband.

Eldon’s idea of how to buy your wife clothing, jewelry, accessories or other gifts that won’t get returned is so good that we wanted to share it with our readers! Here is what he wrote to us:

I tried to buy clothing gifts for my wife. She returned them all because they were the wrong color, etc. So, I got wise and would find a cute photo of a dress, purse, shoes, earrings, etc. that I wanted to buy – usually if I listened closely I could pick up the hint of what she wanted.

Continue Reading