This is a sponsored post from Gift Card Planet. Where you can get custom gift cards.

GIFT CARDS

Birthdays and the holiday season are a reason to celebrate, spend time with your loved ones and give yourself permission to eat lots of food. It is also a time of giving gifts and sharing gifts, which can be a stressful business when you just can’t  figure out the perfect gift. In such a consumer driven society, we are constantly buying the things we want, when we buy presents we don’t want to run the risk of the gift being unwanted and non-returnable. It makes you feel a little guilty and it is also a waste of your money. It takes time to find the gift you really want to give, especially when you have multiple gifts to buy at once. The search is the hardest part, and considering our recent economic situation, sometimes the present you want to give may even be out of your price range.

There are a few alternatives to your average shopping method, the easiest is the gift card. Gift cards allow you as the buyer to control the amount of money you want to spend and the freedom to pick from a range of stores and brands. For that special someone receiving it, it gives them the choice of a range of products from the brand or store you have selected. You can go into the store to purchase gift cards or you could easily jump online to a site such as Gift Card Planet that have a range of brands to choose from and more importantly, the option to load a personalised card of any value to be used at any store that accepts EFTPOS. This option removes the restriction of having to choose from one store or brand allowing your gift card to be used anywhere. There’s no need for the silly season or birthdays to be a stress fest anymore!

I love filling Easter baskets with lots of goodies, but not much candy. We already have a ton of candy in this house from every holiday before. I like to find other things they can use or play with to put in their Easter baskets. Michael’s and Joann’s have a lot of cute little items to put in eggs other than candy. Here are a few Easter gifts that are not candy to get for little ones this Easter.

Easter Gifts Under $20

1. Aren’t these little treat bags so cute? These would make wonderful Easter gifts for the little one in your life. Only $12.95

2. I just love these rhinestone mugs. I would love to drink coffee out of one these in the morning. Only $15.95

3. Send a friend with Build a Bear Workshop. Here is the cutest Easter Bunny for $18, or this little chick for $16, or this Flower Fun Bunny for $18

4. What about giving the gift of Tea? I love tea and Tazo has plenty of teas under $20 to choose from to enjoy.

5. Happy Easter, Mouse is a cute book for only $6.29. Books area  great gift for Easter.

6. I love giving chalk for Easter. It is such a great basket filler and with all this chalk for only $8.95, you can fill a lot of baskets!

7. Melissa & Doug has a great selection  of toys and personalized toys to choose from under $20 and shipped.

Chocolates + Flowers = The Perfect Mother’s Gift

If flowers symbolize passion and love, then chocolates echo out this love. Together, they achieve the perfect blend that would make any women swoon. But more than any women, it is our mothers that deserve this perfect gift. Check out some tips in choosing the right chocolate and flower for the most important woman in our life.

Choosing The Right Chocolate

Tip #1: The best kind of chocolate to give along with a bouquet of flowers is the assorted type – the ones that come in a pretty box and contain a delightful assortment of truffles, bonbons, and pralines. As the popular movie line says “Mommy said that life is like a box of chocolate, you’ll never know what you’re going to get” – Forrest Gump. Trying to guess whether the chocolate is stuffed with coconut ganache, caramel, or swirling mint is part of the excitement and pleasure that comes with opening a box of chocolates. And what is better than our mothers getting a little excitement in life after doing all those boring house chores.

Tip #2: Make your own chocolates. The best chocolates are those that you made yourself. So if you are a bit of a baker type, make some for your mothers. They would appreciate it a lot because you put in efforts in making them.

Choosing The Right Flower

Tip #1: Do not buy roses (or mixed it). Roses are for your love interest. It would not work as well for your mothers. So don’t give them a bouquet of roses. You can mix it though. Think about mixing roses with tulips or with asters.

Tip #2: Learn what different colors represent to ensure you are sending the right message. Pink blooms show gratitude and admiration and are a good choice to send your mother or favorite aunt. You can also give a mixed color bouquet if you aren’t completely sure. The expression of feeling remains subtle and the mixed colors are bright and cheerful.

Tip #3: Consider giving a potted plant instead of cut flowers. Some women would want a bouquet instead of a potted plant. But most mothers would prefer it because they will last much longer and provide a constant reminder of the relationship. Mothers also have this nursing feeling that will help them take care of the potted flower. Blooming varieties, such as orchids, last a long time and remind her she is special every time she looks at the plant you gave her.

Follow these tips when you buy flowers and chocolates for your mother. Most of the same day flower delivery also has combinations of flowers, chocolates and even gift baskets. At the end whatever it is you have chosen, flowers and chocolates are still a token of love, care and appreciation. It’s the perfect gift for our mothers, who loves us unconditionally. Use them to give happiness to your mother. After all, they deserve all the love we can give back.

Valentine’s day is fast approaching and I know I am always looking for great gift ideas for everyone. I have searched and found things, I know my guy and kids would love to get as gifts. I have also all my spa gifts you can make for great gift ideas too.

Valentine Gift Ideas Under $20

Gift Ideas for Him:

If you have the luxury that your man likes to cook just like mine does, then this makes an awesome gift for the man in your life for only $18.88. My husband was given one of these for Christmas. Now any meal he cooks is in the cast iron skillet. He just loves it.

We love to have a glass of wine at night when we are watching TV. Here is an awesome wine opening set for only $15.55.

We love coffee around here. This little mug will remind him of you every morning. This cute mug can be personalized with his name and  your name.

Gift Ideas for Her

This adorable little silver pendant is available for only $17.00.

Any girl who loves coffee would love this rhinestone monogrammed mug to add a little bling to her morning. Only $18.95

This cute personalized iPhone 4 case is a cute gift for her. This little gift can be fun to personalize your iPhone case. Your names will be in the graffiti heart design available in plum, black and mint green! Only $19.95

Gift Ideas for Kids:

Available at Melissa and Doug Decorate-Your-Own Wooden Butterfly Chest only $6.99.  There are a lot of cute gift ideas at Melissa and Doug.

This heart stuffed puppy from Build a Bear is so adorable any child would love for Valentines day. What better gift than a new friend to love. Only $16.00

This adorable little personalized embroidered treat bag can be filled with all kinds of goodies and used from year to year. This is a great frugal find! Only $12.95

Affiliate links may be used in the above post. I may be compensated for clicking on a link or making a purchase from this page.