Quick gifts

I have been starting to think about Christmas gifts. What to get for people, what I want if they were to ask, what to get at the last minute for those I didn't think of. There is always one fall back gift that everyone can use and never goes out of style. What is it? Money of course. Nowadays we don't give cash anymore, we give gift cards. Be it from a particular retailer or from a bank to be used anywhere, gift cards are more and more popular each year.

Here are a couple of gift card holders I made yesterday and wanted to share with you. They are both the size of a standard card and can be mailed in a standard card envelope.

The first one is a sort of gate fold card. It opens in the middle to reveal the gift card inside. There is a small area inside to write a quick message and a mat to mount the gift card on. The circle punched in the front lower corner reveals the snowflake on the inside of the card. The pattern paper helps to cover up any gap that might be there after folding the card shut. The gold elastic band slips off the side so you can open the card and is attached under the image panel.

Stamp sets: Merry, Merry

Paper: Real Red, Old Olive, Dashing DSP, Whisper White

Ink: Real Red, White Craft

Accessories: Winter White EP, Gold Elastic cord, 1" & 1 1/4" circle punches, Scallop punch, dimensionals

The second one is a matchbook style card. The left strip is actually a covering for the flap where the front tucks in. I used a small piece of velcro to close it, but you can also place a staple to the left of the brad to keep the flap down. When you open the card, there is a slot made with the word window punch to put the gift card in. I left the rest of the inside area blank to write on. You could stamp a quick message or images inside if you wished.

Stamp sets: Jolliest Time of the Year, All Holidays

Paper: Old Olive, Whisper White, Real Red, River Rock, Dashing DSP

Ink: Basic Black, Real Red, Old Olive, Summer Sun, black marker

Accessories: Red Grosgrain, Double rectangle punch, Fire Square Brad, velcro, word window punch