Gift Cards - Clever Ways to Wrap Them

Clever ways to wrap gift cards can make the difference between a gift that is special and a gift that is appreciated, but not as special. Anticipation is always part of the joy of receiving a gift. The wrapping, then, should draw out the anticipation. Think outside the box when looking for clever ways to wrap gift cards.

Think of a common, average way, and then brainstorm for an idea that is a step above that. The examples that follow may get you started.

Clever Ways to Wrap Gift Cards

1. Bookstore Gift Card: You could put it inside a birthday card, and present it that way, but that is thinking inside the box. Think outside the box, and place it inside an old cookbook from a secondhand store or garage sale. Sandwich the gift card securely at the page for a chocolate cake recipe. Wrap the cookbook, and attach a note that says, “I hope you like chocolate cake as well as I do.”

2. Travel Gift Card: Purchase a small travel item. A box of “Dramamine”; “Earplanes” ear plugs; a travel neck pillow; etc. Place the gift card inside the packaging, and wrap the travel item.

3. Spa Gift Card: These can be wrapped inside spa slippers or hidden beneath a mesh body sponge in a spa tin. A bath mitt would be another clever way to wrap gift cards for a spa.

4. Auto Parts Store Gift Card: Pep Boys and similar stores offer gift cards, and you can wrap one cleverly by purchasing a car chamois or car care towel. Fold the chamois or towel around the gift card, place it in a box, and wrap with appropriate paper.

5. Black Angus Steakhouse Gift Card: Create your own wrapping paper for this gift card. Go online to the Black Angus Steakhouse website and look at their menu. Then, with computer or by hand, create gift wrap to resemble a menu. Don’t use the restaurant name, but do use the descriptions provided by the restaurant. Buy or craft a bib to fit the recipient, and wrap it with the card in your menu wrapping paper.

6. All Restaurants, pizza parlors, etc.: A gift card for any restaurant can be wrapped as described in #5.

7. Bass Pro Shops Gift Card: Among the clever ways to wrap gift cards from fishing goods stores is an inexpensive fly box. Wrap the card in tissue paper, and place it in the fly box, surrounded by crumpled paper. Wrap the fly box in gift wrap.

8. Petco Gift Card: This one is quite simple. Place the gift card inside a small box of appropriate pet treats. Wrap the treats.

9. Saks Fifth Avenue Gift Card: See if the recipient can guess this is a gift card! Use several brown paper “Saks” (bags) in decreasing sizes. Decorate the largest with maps showing the 5th avenue of one or more towns. MapQuest will give you printable maps in a hurry. Simply paste them on your sacks. Nest the sacks, with crumpled paper filling the spaces between them. Wrap the gift card and place it in the smallest sack, surrounded by tissue paper.

Clever ways to wrap gift cards are fun to create. It may take a little time to think of hiding a “Merry Maids” card inside a tiny feather duster, but it will be worth the time and thought.