Easy Ways to Dress Up a Card

Here lately I find myself giving more gift cards.

I'm not completely happy about that, but I feel like sometimes it's just the best option.

Both sets of parents, for example...well, they have everything there is to be had.

I think I've bought every 'standard' gift at least once.

Well, not every one, but I've certainly purchased a fair number of ties, 

Bath & Body Works, purses, books, etc.

You get the gist.

Case & point of why I've decided to go with gift cards more often.
This way, the recipient can buy just what they're needing or wanting.

I also enjoy buying restaurant gift cards to places that they may not ordinarily go.

A new dining experience is always fun.

I don't like giving just a plain card though.

It just seems, well, plain.

I tend to always look for something to attach to the outside to bump it up a notch.

This was my dad's Father's Day card, with his Kohl's gift card inside.

We had taken a trip to Jungle Jim's the day before & I picked him up 

this little package of Divinity.

Definitely nothing major ... no bells & whistles ... just enough to perk up a 'plain ol' card.'

Here are some additional ideas for dressing up an envelope:

• write the name extra fancy, maybe scrolly cursive, bubble letters or calligraphy
• use a colored ink, or maybe metallic or glittery, depending on the recipient ...                                             {I like using red & green at Christmastime}
• use a decorative seal or sticker {another thing I do especially at the holidays}
• seal the envelope with wax for an old-fashioned flair
• using an ink stamp can be a fun feature {birds, butterflies, flowers, vines}
• put your scrapbooking supplies to use: try embossing, texturing, or stenciling 
• tie the envelope up with raffia, ribbon, or twine {it'll seem a bit like unwrapping a gift}