Creative Ways to Give a Gift Card: The Mason Jar Gift

Thank you to Target for sponsoring today’s hour or less gift idea.

Do you love getting gift cards?  Most people do!  You can get what you want, or put it toward a big purchase you might not otherwise make on your own.  You get the right size, the right color, the right brand.  Target’s recent research shows that 90% of people love getting a gift card as a holiday present.  9 out of 10 of us would be just as happy picking up that great new toy or clothing item for ourselves as we would writing it down on our lists for someone else to buy for us.

You know what they also found?  Only 30% of us actually feel good about giving a gift card.  Handing over a piece of plastic can feel kind of impersonal, I know.  I mean, this time of year, we give gifts to convey the care and love that we feel toward our family members and good friends.  But let me assure you, there are ways to make the gift of a gift card thoughtful, meaningful, and fun!  Today I’m going to show you how a few dollar-section finds and inexpensive beauty items come together to make a pretty, useful, and personal gift card gift.

So here’s where to start.  On your next Target run (you totally know you’re going soon, if you’re anything like me), swing through the dollar spot.  Pick up one of these gorgeous snowflake-themed hinged mason jars, and a couple of items to dress it up.  I grabbed some shredded filler, baker’s twine, tiny ornaments, and some stickers that I added to a simple scrapbook paper tag.  For an extra touch, pick up a bag of nice chocolate.  Or two… ahem.  These supplies will make up 3 or 4 jars, so if you have more gift cards to give, be sure to pick up extra jars.

Next, think of something small that your recipient loves.  Is it coffee?  Cozy socks?  Office supplies?  My sister is totally into doing her nails, so I picked up some inexpensive nail polish colors and a nail kit.  Other great ideas to add are lip balms, makeup brushes, or travel-sized lotions. Or?  Just fill it up with chocolate.  Lots and lots of chocolate.  You can easily create a gorgeous jar with these happy additions for under $20.

Arrange your gift items in your jar, along with your primary gift: the Target GiftCard®.  Think of it like a tiny gift basket – with a jar that your friend can re-use, and items to pamper herself inside.  And the hero item is whatever she wants it to be. It’s an easy size to travel with, you didn’t have to ask her size – it’s a win, all the way around!

Write a personal note, or make a gift tag to tie on.  If you’re not crafty, you can use a pre-made card, or even just cut a plain white tag and write a nice message.  If you read here often, you know I can’t resist some handmade touches – so I made my tag out of my paper crafting stash, and the stickers I found in the dollar spot.  Tie it on with baker’s twine to tie into the mason jar’s rustic look.  For a little extra cheer, add a couple of tiny plastic ornaments.

And just like that – you’ve got a gift with beautiful presentation, that shows you thought it out well, and ultimately chose something you know your recipient is going to love: a Target GiftCard®!

So what do you think?  Do you feel good about giving gift cards?  Do you like to get  them?

We partnered with Target to bring you this slice of holiday cuteness as part of their #GiftCardCheer campaign.

Disclosure: Compensation was provided by Target via Mode Media. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of Target.