I don't know about you, but gift cards are very popular in my family. People prefer to receive them because they get exactly what they want, when they want it. So we give a lot of gift cards for birthdays, special occasions and especially at Christmas.

I enjoy packaging my gift cards so it has a little more pizzazz than just giving the card in an envelope, or using the plain covers that some stores provide. This little project is a simple idea, easy to mass produce, and looks great! You can dress this up for different events just by changing the colors, designer papers and stamps used.

For this gift card, I used one of my retired gift card holders, but you can easily create your own with a piece of card stock cut 4" x 7 7/8" and scored at 2 3/8" and 5 1/8".

Fold your wrap along the score lines and determine which side you want to be the front. Stamp the front of your gift card holder as desired (for my sample, I used Brilliant Blue with the Serene Snowflakes).

For the belly band, cut a piece of Ballet Blue card stock 2.5" x 7.25" and score at 2.5" and 5.25". Now stamp the belly band using the Shimmer Paint and Brilliant Blue ink and the Serene Snowflakes stamps. Stamp the greeting with Brilliant Blue ink, if desired. Punch a strip of white cardstock with the scallop edge punch and attach to the left side of the belly band. Wrap the belly band around the gift card holder and attach in the back. Tie a ribbon around the belly band (and don't forget to insert your gift card – you can use the slit punch to create a place to slide your gift card if you don't have an existing gift card holder).

Isn't this much nicer than just a simple, small envelope?

Stamps: Serene Snowflakes, All Holidays

Ink: Brilliant Blue

Paper: Ballet Blue, Whisper White, Sahara Sand gift card holder (retired)

Accessories: Platinum Shimmer Paint, scallop edge punch, red gingham ribbon (retired), slit punch (optional)