Bouquets for less (kinda)

So it is that time of year for giving gifts (and sometimes to people you barely know) which is sometimes easier said than done!  I don't know what to get my own family members (sometimes) much less my husband's secretary!!!!

After him bugging me and me bugging him right back, we came to the understanding that it WOULD get done, but I was going to need his help.  I only had to press him for a week to find out what she likes so I could at least get gift cards.  I hate to buy meaningless gifts that I would like for ANYONE!  What a waste!!!  He let me know where she and her husband liked to eat, and informed me that she was either learning or already knew how to knit (hey, I can't complain about his vague answers...happy to get some answers at all!).  So I figure we are going to spend about $50, but a $25 gift card to each place won't make for a very nice presentation, and I am all about the presentation :)

So here's what I did...

A Gift Card Bouquet

(3 $10 gift cards to Carrabba's, 2 $10 gift cards to Joann)

Not my greatest creation ever, but pretty cute for having to throw something together.  I had everything I needed in various places around my house:

- 1 spool light green ribbon
- 1 spool dark green ribbon
- Tape
- 5 straws
- Lighter
- 5 skewers
- 1 glass vase from the Dollar Tree (etched with Christmas trees previously)
- Tissue paper

I folded the straw around the bottom of the gift card and then taped it in place.  I then wrapped the ribbon around each gift card, down the straw, and then used a lighter to melt the ribbon together on the bottom.  I put a skewer in the straw to give it stability and to help stick it into the tissue paper. Voila!  Cute and easy gift card bouquet.

I must say, I had some other ideas that were more elaborate, but time didn't allow for that this year :(  Next year it will definitely be one of my favorite gifts to teachers and secretaries (and anyone else that I don't know what to get)!!!!