$5 GC's for kids

[WendyisDarling]

Background: DH is organizing the Holiday Party for his National Guard unit. Every year Santa comes and each child 12 and under receives a gift. The unit doesn't have the $ this year to do "big" gifts (I haven't gone in previous years so I don't know what this would have been.) A few of them decided to just do goody bags and spend up to $7.50 on each one.

I am not a fan of the goody bag and suggested $7.50 is a lot of junk that will either break or get thrown away and kids don't need a ton of candy. My idea was to put together a goodie bag with a couple of trinket items, a little candy and a $5 GC. My suggestion was taken and that plan is carved in stone.

Kids are ages 0-12 and some live 100+ miles away while others live close. So, we are trying to decide on a $5 GC that is from a location available to most everyone even if living in a rural area. We are thinking McDonald's, Burger King, Target or possibly Barnes and Noble. We woulld like to select B&N but think some may not have one located conveniently. Wal-Mart is off the table simply because DH and I really do not like Wal-Mart (no offense to those that do --I'm glad it is a store that many enjoy).

What do you think McDonald's, BK, Target, Barnes and Noble or other..

 

[dimimi]

I would suggest the $5 gift card to Target. They have $1 bins and some inexpensive items.

 

[crunchymomma]

I'd go with Target too. After xmas clearance can yield alot of toys for $5 And fwiw, I am not a wal-mart fan either!

 

[dodukes]

I would have suggested mcdonalds, only because some kids dont get treated out as much as others and this way they canbuy their own meal one day. Or they can get dessert a few times as a treat. Target is not bad but target is not always available while mcdonalds or bk are on every corner.

 

[Sethsmom]

Is there a Sonic available? That's always a treat. A lot of adults like the food there too.

 

[babytrees]

I would have suggested mcdonalds, only because some kids dont get treated out as much as others and this way they canbuy their own meal one day. Or they can get dessert a few times as a treat. Target is not bad but target is not always available while mcdonalds or bk are on every corner.

I was thinking this too.

I love Target but McDonald's is a treat and not often gone to in my house.

 

[OceanAnnie]

Chic-Fil-A is another good place for GC. They are giving out calendars (with I think it's a total of a $20 purchase of GC). The calendars have coupons good throughout the coming year.

 

[Adi12982]

What about toys'r'us or KB Toys. . . I mean they are young kids. . .

 

[dzorn]

I would think McDonalds is the best with Target to follow. You cannot really by much at Barnes and Noble for 5. You may want to get some Mc Donalds and Some Burger King. Our DD cannot eat Mc due to allergies but can have somethings from Burger King or Wendys.

Denise in MI

 

[Msslaydbug]

I second Target. No matter what the age of the child it is easy to find something at Target.

 

[amp078]

chic-fil-a and sonic are not available everywhere- I think Target is a much better option.

 

[ZPT1022]

I would go with McDonald's or Burger King. My concern with Toys R Us, Target, Barnes & Noble would be that $5 is not enough to really buy anything and could lead to a situation where the kids are asking mom & dad to contribute towards something bigger and Mom & Dad can't or won't. FWIW I loathe McD and BK, so that was hard for me to say. Last year at DH's work party the kids got to visit with Santa and each child got a $5 Wendy's gc tied with a candy cane. They loved it! They got the candy to eat right away and DD and DH went out on a "date" and she treated (and he kicked in the rest for his when she wasn't looking). She thought that was so awesome that she had her very own money and they went out. I thought it was awesome that I didn't have a little cheapy toy in my house. Win-Win

 

[mrsbornkuntry]

I agree with McDonalds, my kids would really like that.

 

[pamlet]

How many kids are there?

You may be able to get one of the local fast food places to kick in - or match..

For that matter maybe even Target ... match you 5.00 for 5.00 and the gift card 10.00... And while you might not like Walmart - you might check with them .. as they do a LOT for local communities.. (as I imagine Target does as well...)

 

[SunKat]

I would go with McDonald's or Burger King. My concern with Toys R Us, Target, Barnes & Noble would be that $5 is not enough to really buy anything and could lead to a situation where the kids are asking mom & dad to contribute towards something bigger and Mom & Dad can't or won't.

I was thinking exactly the same thing. I'd go with McD's, Wendy's, Burger King etc.

 

[luvsgrumpy]

I agree with those mentioning to stay away from Target, B & N, etc. Only within the last year and 1/2 did we get a Target in our area. My kids would love the fast food options since that is the only time they ever get to go (if they have a gift card) The idea that some of the stores might "match" or help out the organization is a good one. The worst they can say is NO.

It's a great thing DH and his unit are doing, thanks a bunch!!

 

[WendyisDarling]

Thanks so much for all the great replies.
ZPT1022--Yours made me feel great. It is a terrific story. I am hoping I'm not the only mom there that would rather my child have a $5 GC than a bunch of kazoos and yo-yos.
Pamlet-There are 80 kids and I'm sure you are right about getting corporate help. Problem is the party is Sunday! (DH only mentioned it this past weekend. " Oh yeah, btw, I'm planning a party for a couple hundred people and their kids for next week " Luckily, he and some others had done some things). I think we are a little late to ask for sponsors, plus we live 90 miles from there. Maybe next year.
So, B&N is definitely a no.
I'd like to stick with one place just to avoid problems.
Sethsmom--I would love to use Sonic. I don't know about the others, but our nearest one is about 1/2 hour drive. It might be close for most others, though. OceanAnnie--Chik-Fil-A would be nice and we could give out the calendars as door prizes, but as amp078 wrote I don't know how widely available they are...we have several near us. Are we just lucky? Or is Chik-Fil-A more common now?
If I think about my kids...they would like the Target card, but would probably put it toward something more expensive and I don't want the gift to end up costing parents. But, Target does have some neat stuff in their dollar bins. We don't go to McD's or BK very often, so it would be a special treat for them.
I appreciate any further comments and/or suggestions. You guys really give great advice. So many things I never would have thought about on my own.

 

[canwegosoon]

My kids would like anything...but I think I would prefer Target-they even have gift cards that are like mini gifts(I got a crank light and a glob). You can get a T-shirt, socks, books on clearance or mittens all for under $5. I have gotten shorts and bathing suits (clearance) for under $5 too. There is a lot there for the money-or they can get a slushie and a pizza too.

Check with Friendlys-they sometimes have a promo for 6/1 coupon books, Mcdonalds does too 10/1(I have some from Halloween-and they might do holiday ones too).

 

[StephMK]

Who are the kids? Depending on if they are kids that get toys for tots, my answer changes. If they are kids that will have Santa gifts & other presents, I vote for McD. My kids love to spend their own $ & that would be a treat that wouldn't add stuff to the house.

If they are kids that won't get much, I'd do Target. They can get a gift they can keep or choose food treats if they wish. For $5, you could easily get toys not in the dollar bin. LPS singles, matchbox cars, some smaller board games, cards, clothes, stuffed animals, dolls, etc.

 

[luvsgrumpy]

Who are the kids? Depending on if they are kids that get toys for tots, my answer changes. If they are kids that will have Santa gifts & other presents, I vote for McD. My kids love to spend their own $ & that would be a treat that wouldn't add stuff to the house.

If they are kids that won't get much, I'd do Target. They can get a gift they can keep or choose food treats if they wish. For $5, you could easily get toys not in the dollar bin. LPS singles, matchbox cars, some smaller board games, cards, clothes, stuffed animals, dolls, etc.

Very good point...Is there any possibility that a little note could be attached with the card mentioning that if Target (or whereever) is not available in their area, that it could be traded for an alternate card? Possibly for McD's. This might be more cumbersome and I wonder if anywhere would agree to take back any leftover cards and give a cash refund. Maybe for an activity/service such as this they could make an exception.