At ages 6, 6 and 9, my kids have been picking their own birthday and holiday presents for a few years now. No more guessing games for me - my son Evan sends me links to his favorite Star Wars toys online, and his twin sisters Mylie and Josie tell me exactly what species of Webkinz they require to live and breathe. When short on time, I get them a gift certificate or gift card to their favorite toy store, and they love the tiny scavenger hunt that ensues.
The day before my girls' birthday, I intended to get them gift certificates from a toy store location close to my work. But, to my surprise, the store had moved, and there was no time left to find another one. I didn't want to just give my kids cash; that's a grandparent move if there ever was one. But then I thought: Why don't I just make my own?
Using a simple graphics program, I created two dollar-sized coupons; lifting designs and characters from my girls' favorite character websites (you can pull almost any image from a website by right-clicking on it, then saving it). I personalized the coupons with fancy-font phrases including "Princess Josie" and "Queen Mylie" Finally, I put cardboard behind each coupon and laminated them old-school style with clear packing tape.
The girls were thrilled to see the sturdy, homemade coupons tucked inside their store-bought birthday cards (which seemed terribly generic by comparison). They were tickled by their favorite girly colors; specific princess pictures, and especially by seeing their own names "professionally" printed.
We couldn't hit the toy store fast enough! Coupons firmly in hand, they searched the aisles excitedly while I calculated totals in my head. When Mylie and Josie proudly brought their chosen toys to the counter, the salesgirl looked at the coupons as if they were written in Urdu, but she quickly understood when I waved my credit card behind the girls' heads.
The best part: they got to keep the personalized coupons. Why did I even bother with a birthday card at all?
When it was all over, the upside of homemade gift cards dawned on me as if angels -- dressed as princesses -- were singing in the background:
Complete Personalization
No more generic gift cards or certificates with hastily-scrawled kids' names. You can make them as gorgeous and customized as you like, without having to leave your home or office (wherever you get the most personal time).
Lost? No Biggie
Homemade coupons have no cash value, so there's no need for a fearful parent to immediately confiscate them from a child who routinely can't remember where he left his shoes.
No Leftover Credit
Any leftover money stays in your pocket, not the store's. Homemade certificates also never expire, and don't mischievously lose value over time as some gift cards and salad spreads do.
Universal Acceptance
Homemade gift cards are not legally accepted anywhere, but as far as your kids and you are concerned, they're valid EVERYWHERE.
One drawback: you do have to supervise your children when they use homemade gift cards. Sending them out alone means you'll likely be visiting them later at the mall security office or police station. I'd also recommend putting a fixed amount on the certificate - it's a gift, not a credit card.
Gift cards work primarily because your kids know the presents they want better than you do, but you can still personalize the experience in a way that saves time, money and -- in my case at least -- face.