A Quick Look at Some Gift Card Packaging Options

The National Retail Federation lists gift cards as the most requested holiday item, and they remain a popular choice year round. With their consumer appeal, and ability to draw new customers who are likely to spend more than the face value, gift cards' only drawback is their size.

To help booksellers increase the visibility of gift cards, here's a shortlist of alternative sources for packaging and holders:

• Marian Heath Greeting Cards offers creative gift card envelopes.

• Specialty Bottle sells gift card tins (used by Bookshop Santa Cruz).

• Seastone, a gift card package company, offers a large selection of presenters, but has large minimum orders.

• W.G. Ellerkamp, supplier of IndieBound natural Kraft recycled bags, also offers the Huckleberry envelope (pricing here)

Another alternative is for stores to create and print their own presenters. ABA offers a downloadable gift card presenter template, which has been used by several indies (including Builder's Booksource, Books Inc., and Greetings & Readings) to create their own unique presenters.

Some of the greeting card companies listed in ABA's Booksellers Resource Directory may also offer envelopes for gift cards. And, of course, a quick Internet search will always bring up some possibilities that may be worth exploring.