I agree with sushipup, I vote for the gift certificate. Not knowing their coffee making habits or what devices they already have, a consumable item like coffee would always be used. I like Paramount from Lansing, but then you knew that, LOL. Ashley likes Costa Rican Cafe Britt, but I don't know which companies (other than Charbucks ...um.... Starbucks) have gift cards, what's available in their area and what you could get by mail. Annie

Hi Krustytopp, I've been dealing with an invasion of little critters recently, that may be mice - but on the other hand, they don't look quite like garden-variety mice ... more like junior sized rats. Anyway ... ... the tracking that they leave behind to let you know of their presence is quite similar, whichever they are and is here ... in quantity. I'm busy gathering those little black, elongated pellets up, to add to the compost pile. I could perhaps send some to you (possibly labelled as "by-products - of little commercial value" to satisfy the concerns of the postal folks) to take with you when you visit the store that dribbled away the value of your "gift " card/certificate on you. Maybe they'd like some of it scattered along their "service" counter ... ... or you could suggest to them that you could drop some of it among their merchandise, e.g. sweaters, socks, underwear, etc. - to about equal value of the stuff that they denied you. Or, if they have a snack bar, on the tables in there? How about on their check-out counter? I'll bet the check-out staff person would be impressed with that! How long do you think that it'd take for them to get cleaning staff to show up? Do you think that the check-out staff person would still be in attendance at her/his counter by the time of the cleaner's arrival?? Seems like a fitting reminder of your visit, don't you think? Have yourself a lovely week. ole joyful P.S. Hey - I just thought of a better idea. Ask to see the manager. Drop some in his pocket. Tell him that you think that a fitting response to his company's having stolen value out of yours! I think that'd be a fitting conclusion to your visit to his store! Don't you?? On the other hand ... ... if you took the stuff in a Zip-loc bag, showed it and suggested to the various staff people along the route that I mentioned that you were thinking of doing what I suggested, that what did they think about that idea? Ending with your discussion with the manager. I'll bet that they'd remember your visit for a while! On your next visit to the store, you could ask to speak to the manager again ... ... and remind him of your displeasure at your treatment by his store. Mention that you still had that little bag at home ... That you hadn't bought anything at their store today ... ... and wouldn't be doing so for a while. And that you'd been telling several friends of your unhappiness - for months, now. That they'd all had a good laugh at your story - and thought you amply justified in what you'd done. Just thought that he'd like to know. Give him the bag. Just mention in passing that you have another like it at home. No - you didn't threaten them/him with anything. You were just considering certain possible future actions. o j

I enjoyed the ideas. I give my kids,nieces & nephews money every year but like to make it fun. Can you tell me how the person baked the $$ in the bread idea? I am always looking for new ideas. Here are some I have used. The first year I orderd little snowmen ornaments from oriental trade catalogue. They were wooden and opened up and I hid the money in them, bought a cheap gift and wrapped the gift and used the ornament as a decoration to the gift wrapped box. I had to watch because they did not care about the ornament and threw them aside. I have one daughter in law who I have decided can smell $$$ and usually figures it out. In the past I have orderd plastic puzzle boxes but it is expensive. Also they did not have patience and hit the box with a hammer to get to their loot. I have used an old book and glued pages in back section together. Cut out a section dug like a hole and put money in. If you ever saw a hide-a- book, it is along that line. I also purchased the chineese take out boxes and filled them with fortune cookies. A special fortune cookie had $$$ in it. I have a pattern to make fabric fortune cookies(easy & Cheap) So I put the $$ in the fabric cookie you could use real ones but they break easy. Another take on this is to change the fortune to you will receive $$ in your future and wait to give it to them later in the day or in another time. I have used cd boxes nesting boxes picture frames, and balloons. I used stockings that I made for them and put $$ in it ,a double gift. Here was a favorite I ordered money machines-they were a small box with money printed all over and said money machine and a slit in the box and a tab that said pull. You taped the money together with removable tape roll it and put it in the box attache dto the tab & they pull the tab and money continues to come out. You could make them your self with any box or even use a kleenex box, cover it with play money write money machine yourself and do like above. They really liked this one. They assume by now it will be money every year. This year we bought a new house and have not sold the old one yet so they knew we were really tight on money and have heard that all year long so... I used a roll of indiviually wrapped toilet paper. Separated the roll 1/2 way in using a table knife and my fingers and folded the money and stuck it down in there. the card board roll inside bends but I straightned it back out fluffed the edges of TP. Put it back in its wrapper. I made up a poem about times are tough and we don't have much money so we wanted to get them something useful but funny. It went on about something that would last and they would remember how much we loved them all year through.(You are on your own there or e-mail me and I will send it). I have to admit this one really stumped them becasue at first they are looking around shaking the roll,turning it upside down and then got this look on their faces like I think they mean it and started thanking us for the gift and changing the subject real fast. I have to admit I had a funny look on my face and could not make eye contact. I can't lie very well. A few minutes went on and guess who figured it out?(money smeller girl)She was searching for it under the table so we would not see her just in case they weren't getting $$ I have anohter idea but some of my family live in differnt states sometimes thay are home and sometimes we ship gifts. I want to plan a scavenger hunt and wrap clue #1 then hide the clues #2 #3 #4 each wrapped of course until they find the final gift. I give them all the same amount so it won't matter what one they find or pick up. We also celebrate different days so that will help but will take some planning. 2009 I am going to use glycerine soap. I am going to the local craft store and buy supplies to make my own bars of soap around the money. I saw this idea in a catalogue but it was expensive and you did not get a guarantee on how much money was in them. I may make different shapes for different interests or not. I have 11 months to worry about that. I am always looking for new ideas so keep them coming. becca elf

Giftcards have their usefullness. I've heard of inactivity fees, but never experienced it first hand. I give a few giftcards a year. I give them for consumables (coffee shop, restaurant), because I obviously cannot give the teacher 4 cups of coffee for a gift. But I can treat her to 4 cups of coffee at her convenience with a giftcard, if I know she drinks coffee. If not, another place. And you can add my name to Jodi's wishlist. Give me a Barnes & Noble (any bookstore, that's just closest to my house) gift card, and I'll be a very happy girl! When someone gives me one of those, I know they know what I want. Forget the diamonds, books are this girl's best friend- but it's hard to buy a book for someone else, it's best to let them pick it. And I have a B&N discount card, so I will get more than face value of the card, by up to 40%.