Frugal Idea for Gift Cards

If you’re thinking of giving gift cards for the holidays this year then you’ll want to read my frugal idea for gift cards so that you can get a little something extra!

I want to tell you about some ideas for gift cards.  Right now they’re on sale at ACME but there will be quite a few other sales coming up too and I’ll be sure to post them as they become available.  (read further down)

This week you can get select gift cards at ACME and get a $20 ACME catalina coupon back when your purchase totals $100 in gift cards.  Well I wanted to share with you what I do each year to get ‘ya thinking.  Each year I give gift cards at Christmas to the people that are in the lives of my children that are either underpaid or are volunteers.  One year I cashed in my Visa rewards points and traded them for gift cards that were completely free to me and gave them out as gifts.  This year I’ll be purchasing gift card on this special at ACME so I get back the $20 reward coupon good on my next transaction at ACME.

Safeway will likely offer a gift card promotion between now and the holidays too! Here are the people/organization that have made a difference in the lives of my children that are deserving of  thank you gift;

• Cub Scout Master $25
• Boy Scout Troop Leader $25
• Home school Tutor for my son $50
• Home school Tutor for my daughter  $25
• Pastor $25
• Civil Air Patrol Leaders $25

Here are some additional people that I’d like to offer a thank you gift card but not as high a value so I’ll get smaller gift cards for them;

• Children’s librarian at my local library (she’s so good to my kids!)
• trash collector (its a private service in my area)

Another idea is Rita’s Italian Ice:  Ever year before Christmas (I’ll post when it become available) they offer a FREE Rita’s treat with every $10 Rita’s git card.  Well last year we purchased $120 in Rita’s gift cards to give away as presents and then we had 12 FREE Rita’s treats.  You can use the coupons they send for the free treats for a Rita’s Italian ice or  Rita’s Gelati.  You might even be able to use them for the custard (I can’t remember) but it was a great deal!  I like that the gift cards are just a $10 value – its a great “smaller” gift for the people that you want to think but don’t want to spend too much money.

So stay tuned and I’ll post more gift card offers as they become available. Last year we received extra gift card promotions from there places:

• Fuddruckers
• Applebees
• Chili’s
• Macaroni Grill
• Outback Steakhouse
• Rita’s Italian Ice

And more….

Think smart this holiday!