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Northwest Arkansas friends, have you been to Southern Giving? This gift and home decor boutique opened a few months ago. Already, it’s become my go-to place for charming southern gifts. Owner Susie Baker is like a long lost friend. She’s friendly, creative, and has an eye for helping a confused gift giver find that perfect something.

Baker is known for monogramming. Her business started out of her home. When the business took over her home (as home businesses can do), she opened Southern Giving in downtown Fayetteville, Arkansas on the square (just behind Tiny Tim’s Pizza). It’s a tucked away place filled with lots of goodies perfect for Christmas. And yay (!) she focuses on local artisans.

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This post is sponsored by InComm for Walmart as part of the #SaveMoneyGiveBetter2017 Campaign. All opinions are my own.

Hey friends! I’m that person who doesn’t start thinking about Christmas until the calendar flips to December. And yay, it has! Now I’m all in. Yesterday, I started decorating my house. Yesterday, I picked up a few Walmart gift cards for those on my Christmas list.

Tis the Season, for Walmart gift cards!

Remember when the children were nestled all snug in their beds, while visions of sugarplums danced in their heads?

I do.

But now in our family, there are no babies, no sugarplums, no nestling, not really. My kids are adults in their twenties with lives and careers and new homes and serious goals. My sister’s kids (twins) are seniors in high school with visions of graduation on the very fast approaching horizon.

It’s like I settled down for a long winter’s nap and woke up two decades later.

And then in a twinkling, they grow up in a flash. Take it from me. It’s true.

During the past few years when I ask, “What does everyone want for Christmas?” the answer is the same.

Gift cards.

There was a time I thought giving gift cards was boring and dull. What’s the point of exchanging gifts if I give you a Starbucks card, and you give me a Starbucks card? But there is a point. A huge point.

Giving is important and impactful. It’s about the love we put into it. Giving brings about happiness. We open our hands and hearts and spread a little joy and glitter and tinsel in this world that so needs it.

And here’s the thing. Walmart gift cards can be fun for both the giver and receiver. And the truth is, a gift card is way easier than putting together a Barbie house during the wee hours of Christmas Eve or scouring the interwebs for a rare and sold-out Lego set.

Would I go back and relive one of those Barbie – Lego Christmases? Absolutely. But a stress-free adult Christmas is pretty sweet, too.

How to Make a Gift Card Personal

So how to make a gift card personal?

Match the card to the recipient. Obvious right? Walmart has a variety of gift cards to choose from, so you can be as specific as you like. For the movie lover: Fandango, Netflix, Regal. For the foodie: Olive Garden, Chilis, Outback. For the person who needs a break: a Spa card, Starbucks, Hotels.com. For the gamer: Google Play, Xbox, iTunes. And on and on. For my niece and nephew, I chose Vanilla Mastercards which can be used anywhere MasterCard is accepted. Senior year is busy busy BUSY. (And expensive.) They can use their Vanilla Mastercards for new clothes, choir trip souvenirs, dorm room things. Whatever.
Treat the gift card like the special gift it is. In other words, present the card in a fun box or gift bag rather than handing it over in a plain envelope. Make it festive! I seriously love to wrap gifts, so adding ribbon and gift tags is a big part of holiday magic for me.
Tie it to a theme. Whatever card you choose, include other goodies and trinkets that fit the theme of your card and personality of your recipient. A movie card? Add Milk Duds and Sweet Tarts. A spa card? Add a fizzy bath bomb or lavender lotion. Although I chose a rather non-specific card for my niece and nephew, I made it personal by adding a few Arkansas Razorback items to the gift: a hog koozie, peel & stick tattoos, and a Razorback ornament. Full disclosure: the twins have applied to several colleges, been accepted to Arkansas, but have not committed. As their favorite aunt, I’m doing my part to guide them in the right direction. #WooPigSooie

I love the way my gifts turned out. The boxes were less than $2.00 and can be reused. How cute are these Razorback ornaments? Your local Walmart is a great source for fan goodies, no matter which team you support.

So Many Gift Card Choices

The next time you’re at Walmart, stop and visit the gift card kiosk. You can’t miss it. During the holidays, it’s topped with a big red bow visible from anywhere in the store. The available varieties of gift cards is incredible. There’s definitely something for everyone on your list—teachers, your postman, the barista who creates the perfect art on your skinny pumpkin latte. Your favorite blogger, haha, just kidding.

I’d love to hear how you make gift cards part of your holiday gift-giving. And which gift card do you want Santa to bring you? When I see him, I’ll put in a word.