So, you’ve thought about what your loved one would really like to receive and the best idea you can come up with is a gift card.  You hate the idea of giving that in a little envelope as your present since it lacks visual oomph.  So what do you do?

I suggest making a themed gift basket (use of an actual basket is, of course, optional).  Think of a few small items that go along with the gift card and package them together as creatively as possible.  Here are some examples:

• GIft subscription to Netflix:  Package with microwave popcorn and some jumbo boxes of Junior Mints, Skittles, or other movie candy in a large popcorn bowl.
• Gift card to a bookstore (bricks and mortar or online): Add an Itty Bitty Booklight, a nice bookmark, and some hot cocoa mix — all in an oversized mug.
• Gift certificate for yoga lessons or a health club:  Tape to a yoga mat and/or block (available for $5 each at Five Below) and add a box of herbal tea bags.
• Gift certificate to a nursery (a great gift for a gardener): Put it in a watering can (IKEA has nice, inexpensive ones) along with some copper garden markers.
• Gift membership for community supported agriculture:  Attach it to an organic or vegetarian cookbook.
• Gift card to download mp3s: Tuck into a carrying case for the mp3 player or to a robot pet that attaches to an mp3 player (also at Five Below) or to a pair of detachable speakers.
• Gift certificate for cooking lessons:  Put together a small basket of trial size sauces and spices and put the certificate in there.
• Gift car for spa services:  Attach it to single serving mixers for cosmos or pomegranate martinis or to a single high quality chocolate bar.

Wander the aisles of dollar stores or Five Below or a craft store.  Since the main gift is the certificate or gift card, the things you attach to it can be inexpensive and even silly! Be creative!