If you are buying a gift for a stubborn recipient, you might be wondering what you are going to get them. You know that they have the reputation of returning gifts whenever they get them, and you decide that you might as well purchase a gift card for them. But which store do you choose from? If you have a hard time determining which store to purchase a gift card from, you can avoid this problem by deciding to purchase a gift card from iCARD Gift Card.

With iCARD Gift Card, you can purchase a gift card that is able to be redeemed at a number of retail stores and restaurants, so the recipient is able to make the final decision on where to use it. This way, you can avoid the stress of attempting to choose a store that the recipient might enjoy.

Plus, with iCARD Gift Card, you do not have the leave the card as an impersonal gift. Instead, you can personalize the gift card with a photo that will have special meaning to him or her, and you can include a message that your recipient will take to heart. This way, the gift card carries special meaning to them before they redeem it.

If you are struggling to decide where to purchase a gift card for someone, purchase one from iCARD Gift Card and you can still give them that meaningful and thoughtful gift without overstressing yourself. Then you can enjoy the gift-giving process, even with someone who may seem impossible to buy for.

You look at the calendar and realize that it’s somebody’s birthday tomorrow, and you do not have the time between now and then to get them a present. You do not want to be embarrassed by bringing nothing to the party. Fortunately, instant gift cards from iCARD Gift Card can be purchased and printed from your computer, so you can still give a thoughtful and meaningful gift to the person, without needing to run out to a store and find a gift at the last minute.

Instant gift cards offer other advantages, too. For example, if you are injured or you simply have trouble physically going to a store, you can purchase instant gift cards quickly and easily from the comfort of your computer. You do not need to ask someone to buy the gift for you, and you do not have to sacrifice the quality of the gift, just because you are having trouble getting to the store.

With instant gift cards from iCARD Gift Card, you can personalize a gift card with a photo and a message and print it out at your computer. When you give it to the gift recipient, they can redeem it online for gift cards to any of hundreds of retailers and restaurants, affording them the ability to use it at their favorite place. It is a gift that is convenient to purchase, but will be appreciated by the gift recipient, who will enjoy using it at their favorite store or restaurant.

One of the most fun activities after getting married is going through all the presents. After you throw a big wedding, it is nice to relax and enjoy all the kind words from friends and family that they write in their cards, and the thoughtfulness that goes into their gifts. One of the most thoughtful gifts can be wedding gift cards.

When a loved one runs out of ideas when thinking of what to get a couple on their wedding day, they may wind up buying a gift that is not on the wedding registries. As a result, the couple may receive gifts that they did not ask for and have no use for as well. These gifts are either returned to the store or relegated to a closet where it is never used.

You can avoid this problem with wedding gift cards from iCARD Gift Card. With wedding gift cards, you can personalize the gift card to include a photo of the happy couple and a custom message to them that they can share together when they open the envelope. In addition, the wedding gift cards from iCARD Gift Card can be redeemed online for gift cards at hundreds of different stores. This way, the couple can take the time to decide what they really want, and they can spend your gift where they will get the most use out of it.

While wedding gift cards can be an impersonal gift, when they are purchased from iCARD Gift Card they can be a unique and truly heartfelt showing of love to a couple on their special day.

Hi, It’s Shelley again- your Gift Card Girlfriend. I’ve really enjoyed sharing some idea on how to turn any gift card into a thoughtful Father’s Day gift. Yesterday I showed you some ways to personalize your Father’s Day gift card based on your Dad’s personal interests. Today, we’ll talk about using some of iCARD’s standard themes and the add-a-photo feature to create some great gift cards.

Standard Theme Cards:

You can adapt the pictures in the Standard Theme Cards to events going on in dad’s life. Use the pictures for inspiration and simply change the headline.

• BABY THEMED GIFT CARD: We love our babies, but they change everything and new dads don’t always know where they fit in to the mother-child bonding. Select the baby-themed design and let dad pick out a few things for he and the child to bond with–a new toy, a book for bedtime, or a diaper bag he doesn’t feel silly carrying. Or do the opposite. Take a marker and put an “x” across the baby stuff, then write “I know the new baby has taken over our lives, but today is about you.” Deliver this gift card with the remote control.

• CONGRATS GIFT CARD (Star): With the star design on the “congrats” themed gift card or with one of the movie theater iCard Gift Card choices such as Regal Entertainment Group or AMC Theaters, tell Dad he’s “the star of the show for today.” Deliver a movie-themed gift card with his favorite theater snacks and popcorn. Or have the kids dress up and put on a play with Super Hero Dad saving the day.

• DINING GIFT CARD: Choose the Dining iCard Gift Card Design or one of the many restaurant options such as Fleming’s, On the Border, Red Robin, or any of iCARD’s more than 75 great restaurant redemption options. Deliver it with a homemade dish of the same cuisine or just one of his favorite treats. He can start the party early with a jar of homemade salsa before using a gift card to a Mexican restaurant or he can end a night of dining with your delectable cheesecake waiting at home.

Add-a-Photo Cards:

This is an option that distinguishes iCard Gift Card from some of the other electronic gift card services available and it’s one of the easiest ways to make these gift cards feel special. I have a picture on my iPhone of a recent family trip to Hollywood. I also have a picture of the kids in 3-D glasses from a movie last summer. Fun personal photos included in an iCard Gift Card with a note about going to the movies, turns a convenient gift card into a present that feels planned and perfectly executed.

Here are a few photos you might already have on hand:

• IN HIS SHOES: Surely you have a picture of the kids playing in dad’s clothes, using his shaving cream, sitting in his car, wearing his baseball hat, or even sitting in his favorite chair. Write a note that says, “We’ll never be able to fill your shoes. So why don’t you treat yourself to a new pair!” He can redeem his iCard Gift Card for a card to Nike, Zappos, Shoebuy, or even Sports Authority. Of course, buying shoes is merely a suggestion. He can exchange the iCard Gift Card for any one of the 200+ merchants available.

• HOME IMPROVEMENT: From mowing the lawn to installing a new deck, upload a picture of a recent job well done–no matter how small. Tell him you appreciate everything he does and that he deserves a break with an iCard Gift Card of his choice.

• REST: Got any pictures of dad passed out on the couch after a long day? Or a picture of him having fallen asleep rocking the new baby or reading a bedtime story? Upload a picture of dad finally taking a break and make it even sweeter with the suggestion that he buy himself a hammock with a gift card to Cabela’s, a new lawn chair with a gift card to Sears, or a massage with a gift card to Spa Finder. Print the photo gift card and deliver it with permission to sit poolside, guilt-free.

Ready to get started? Go to our Design A Gift Card Page and make a gift card that Dad will never forget.

Any other ideas? Let us know what you’ve come up with by leaving a comment.

I hope these tips have been helpful as you get ready to celebrate the Dad in your life. For more great ideas on ways to turn any gift card into a thoughtful gift, visit my website at www.GiftCardGirlfriend.com. And don’t forget – the best gift is the freedom to choose your own gift. That’s why honoring the dad in your life on Father’s Day with an iCARD Gift Card is always a great idea.

Hi, It’s Shelley again- your Gift Card Girlfriend. I’m back with some more great ideas on how to turn any gift card into a thoughtful gift. Yesterday I showed you how to use iCARD’s Father’s Day Card and make it special with a touching personal message. Today, we’ll talk about how you can use iCARD’s brand gift cards to make a gift card that speaks directly to your special Dad:

Popular Brand Cards:

Here’s where personalizing a gift card gets fun. You know where Dad likes to shop, you know the kind of clothes he wears, and you may even know his size. But you aren’t quite sure what he would buy for himself if given the chance. Get him an iCard Gift Card to his favorite store or restaurant and use these ideas to make it more personal.

Remember, even if you guess wrong, Dad can redeem the iCard Gift Card for another brand gift card. Your selection is merely a suggestion.

• FISHING! Get Dad an iCard Gift Card to Bass Pro Shops, Red Lobster, Legal Sea Foods or another fish-themed choice and write, “You’re o-FISH-ally the Best Dad Ever!” on the e-gift card note. Print the card yourself and deliver it with fishy crackers, fish-shaped candy, smoked salmon, or another seaworthy snack. Or have the kids draw pictures of Dad fishing or frame a real photo of his “big catch.”

• READING! Get Dad an iCard Gift Card to one of our popular book partners like Barnes & Noble or Borders and write, “I’m glad you’re my Dad, there’s still so much I can learn from you.” Deliver the e-gift card with a list of things he taught you. For example, my dad tried to fix everything with duct tape. So I could deliver a Borders gift card with the note above and attach it to a roll of duct tape or make a duct tape wallet and slip the e-gift card and list inside. Have fun with it.

SPORTS! Get dad off the couch or plant him firmly on it with a gift card to NASCAR.com, NFLSHOP.com, or Nike.com. Tell him, “Happy Father’s Day Old Sport!” and deliver the gift card with a new cooler for tailgating or a supply of his favorite game watching snacks.

• GADGET DAD. Does he really need a motorized tie rack or a set of wireless TV headphones? Maybe he does! Let him decide with an iCard Gift Card to  Sharper Image, Brookstone, The Container Store, or Crate & Barrel. Deliver it with the batteries he ALWAYS needs and a promise not to giggle when you see him using the new fangled contraption.

MUSIC MAN. Get Dad an iCard Gift Card to iTunes, F.Y.E. or another entertainment site. Deliver it with a musical montage you create using pictures and songs showing some of his best dad moments over the years. He can download new music and videos to enjoy now, but the musical tribute from yesteryear will be treasured for years to come.

I’m hoping these ideas are getting your own creative juices flowing. To see our list of the more than 200 brand gift cards we carry, go to our Gift Card Partners List. Or if you’re ready to get started making your own creation, Get Started Here.

Let us know what you’re planning by leaving a comment in the comment section below. Or visit my site, www.giftcardgirlfriend.com, to see more ideas about how to make any gift card for any occasion special and unique. Tomorrow, I’ll share some ideas for how to use iCARD’s standard gift card themes and the add-a-photo feature to create some magical Father’s Day memories.

Think you don’t have time to get dad a thoughtful Father’s Day gift? Think again. With an iCard Gift Card, you can deliver the perfect gift almost instantaneously. Worried an electronic gift card won’t be personal enough to show him how much you care? Worry no more. We’ve partnered with Shelley Hunter, the founder of Gift Card Girlfriend (www.GiftCardGirlfriend.com) and asked her to provide us with some great ideas on how to turn any gift card into a thoughtful gift. Take it away, Shelley!

Hi, I’m Shelley, the Gift Card Girlfriend!

I used to hesitate giving someone a gift card for fear the recipient would think I hadn’t put any effort into the gift. And yet, I love to receive gift cards because they allow me to buy for myself without feeling guilty. Even when I use a gift card to buy a product or service that I need (versus want), doing so without impacting the family budget is a treat. I know others feel the same way. And that’s when I realized that the problem with gift cards isn’t on the receiving end–it’s in the giving. No matter how much time you took picking out or purchasing the right gift card, simply sending an e-mail or handing over a printed certificate can feel too effortless. To make YOU feel better (because ultimately I think the recipient is happy regardless), here are just a few ways I would turn an iCard Gift Card electronic gift cards into a thoughtful gift for Father’s Day.

Let’s Get Started! Making an e-gift card feel personal starts with a great design and iCard Gift Card has several to choose from. Select the “Buy a Gift Card” button on their home screen and you’ll find four ways to customize the delivery e-mail announcing your gift.

You can choose Holiday & Event Cards, Popular Brand Cards, Standard Theme Cards, or Add-A-Photo Cards. All designs give you the opportunity to add a personal message telling him how you feel on Father’s Day.

Using their standard designs for inspiration, I came up with several clever ways to make the gift card delivery even more special and I’m excited to share those ideas with you today. Take my ideas and take care of Father’s Day this afternoon or use them to jumpstart your own creativity.

Holiday & Event Cards:

Sometimes simply saying the right thing is all that is needed to make a generic gift card feel personal and purposeful. So select “Father’s Day” from the list of Holiday & Event Card designs and add the following note: “This gift card is easy to use and gives you the freedom to choose what you want. Just like you Dad. You made my life easy and always believed I could be anything I wanted to be.”

I’ll be back tomorrow with some more ideas on how to make this Father’s Day memorable for the whole family. If you’re ready to make your own card,  Get Started Here Have another great Father’s Day idea? Leave a comment and let us know what you’ve done for your Super Dad!

At Your Loved One’s Graduation, Gift Cards Can be the Hit of the Party

It’s that time of year again. As the weather gets warmer, students all across the United States are getting anxious to get out of the classrooms and on vacation. But certain classes are getting ready for an even bigger step – they are getting out of school and beginning their adult lives. While many might give these students money for a gift on their graduation, gift cards can be an even better way to show you support them.

As your favorite graduate gears up for being free of the building that has kept them all these years, they may be preparing a big party to celebrate their newfound independence. With all the people that will be there, a lot of money will be given to the graduate. Don’t you want your gift to stand out from the pack? Get that graduate one of the graduation gift cards at iCARD Gift Card. With an iCARD Gift Card, you can give that loved one a voucher to be redeemed online for any of hundreds of retailers. Your graduate can have the joy of finding their favorite store and redeeming it for a gift card to that store, which will guarantee to you that they will get something that they like with the gift.

And an iCARD Gift Card is even more useful for those of you who are not going to be able to make it to the graduation party. Instead of waiting for the slow mail to deliver that check and card to them, you can email your iCARD Gift Card to the graduate, so that they can enjoy it as soon as possible!

Memorial Day, taking place this year on May 30, is a significant occasion for several reasons. It started out as a day to recognize the extraordinary sacrifices of the United States soldiers who have died while serving in the military.

It initially began after the Civil War, as neither a specifically Northern nor Southern event; it was enacted to honor Union and Confederate soldiers alike, partly in an effort to reunify the damaged country. After the great losses of World War I, the day’s meaning was expanded to recognize Americans who have died in all wars.

For many people, this historical significance goes hand-in-hand with its status as a seasonal landmark; Memorial Day often kicks off the summer vacation season, which for many people in the U.S. – especially those who happen to be children – is a huge cause for celebration. Given the day’s dual significance, it is no surprise that Memorial Day gift cards have become a hugely popular way to show appreciation for the people who make our lives sweet.

Over more than a century, the purpose of Memorial Day has expanded from an occasion for remembrance to include a long weekend dedicated to family, fireworks, beachfront trips, shopping, and events like the Indianapolis 500. Whichever manner of observance is most relevant to you and the people you love, Memorial Day gift cards are an excellent choice to commemorate the occasion.

To choose the perfect Memorial Day gift cards, visit iCard Gift Card today. You can select from among hundreds of premier gift card merchants, including the most popular restaurants, clothing stores, beauty and spa destinations, home improvement and home furnishing stores, movies and entertainment, and electronics stores, to kick off the summer season and show the people you love that they matter.

Armed Forces Day is the annual holiday to recognize the men and women who serve in the armed forces of the United States. It takes place on the third Saturday of May to cap off Armed Forces Week, which always begins on the second Saturday of May. This year, Armed Forces Day is on Saturday, May 21.

Every year, there is a variety of different ways to observe Armed Forces Day. The recognition includes people who serve and have served the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, and Coast Guard; people participating in National Guard and Reserve units may celebrate the day at any time in May, because of their different training schedules. Regardless, popular events and activities each year include military displays for the public, performed by multiple services; educational activities for children; and large parades. The bugle call known as Taps is often played to recognize those who have died in military service.

Armed Forces Day began in 1949 to unify and replace separate Army, Navy, and Air Force Days, because at this time the armed forces were unified into the Department of Defense. The Marine Corps still supports Marine Corps Day in addition to Armed Forces Day.

Many of our lives have been touched by the efforts and sacrifices of people in the armed forces, in one way or another. In recognition of their hard work, dedication, and sacrifices, Armed Forces Day shines a spotlight on these extraordinary men and women. To commemorate the event, visit iCard Gift Card to choose from a wide variety of gift card vendors sure to delight all manner of friends and loved ones.

Every year on May 6, National Nurses Day reminds us to show our appreciation for the extraordinary professionals who bring their expertise and care to emergency rooms, school-based clinics, homeless shelters, and many other settings.

Regardless of the official titles they hold, which can include staff nurse, nurse researcher, educator, nurse practitioner, and more, all nurses work to provide the attention and assistance that make medical science work. This year’s National Nurses Day theme is “Nurses Trusted to Care,” because patients and doctors alike depend on their skill and dedication.

Whether because we count a hardworking nurse among our family members, or because we owe the health of our loved ones (or even ourselves) to their care, we all have personal reasons to appreciate nurses. Given this, National Nurses Day is an occasion worth commemorating.

On this day, like so many others, gift cards have you covered. Situations just like these are why iCard Gift Card offers gift certificates from all of your (and your favorite nurses’) favorite destinations. Clothing stores like J. Crew, Zappos.com, Land’s End, H&M, and Old Navy, restaurants and eateries like Black Angus Steakhouse, Panera Bread, Starbucks Coffee, and Buca di Beppo, and one-stop department stores like Bloomingdale’s, Marshalls, Crate and Barrel, Kohl’s, and Macy’s all have gift cards available in a variety of amounts and delivery methods, as do stores that serve fans of electronics and gadgets, books and music, spa and beauty rituals, and trips to the movie theater.

We are very lucky that these men and women devote their lives to our and our families’ health, so take a moment to choose a gift for National Nurses Day today.