Rebranding the Gift Card

I'm making a case for the power of a gift card. This year has been an emotional doozy and I have found myself challenged in the gift department. While I would like nothing more than to give the best gift ever this year, the pressure seems more than I can muster. Part of this derives from helping people find viable and powerful solutions during a time when choices are at a minimum. I get first-hand information on how many people want to support small businesses this year but find myself in a conundrum of trying to satisfy the "list of solutions" only to find they just aren't available in the shops they want to support. This gave me pause to think about the beauty of the gift card.I have a small family compared to most. My mother is an only child, and my father has one brother who never married. This would be my Uncle Alvin. Even though he has no children of his own, he's never forgotten a birthday or Christmas. I would also describe my uncle as a "giver." When I was about nine, he started a charm bracelet for me. Each year he would commemorate the milestones in my life with a magical gold trinket. I cherish that bracelet and his thoughtfulness to stay connected to my life.Uncle Alvin has been on my mind a lot this last month. He lives by himself in a remote area and has a bit of a stubborn streak that I like to define as "strength of character" (although my dad might call it something a little different!). I know I'm not alone in the concern I have for loved ones who live alone. The frustrating inability to check in with a much overdue trip comes with metaphoric baggage and angst. As I got older and the bracelet became loaded with memories, Uncle Alvin started giving gift cards for Christmas. Somewhere along the way gift cards got a bad PR spin, but as a young adult, they are full of possibilities. So, I want to give them a reset - especially this year - and send Uncle Alvin a much overdue shoutout for being an incredible uncle too!  Last Saturday was Stylist Heal Thyself in my own closet. I was doing my December closet swap (a major event that took more than a couple hours!) and unpacked a sweater I've had for 30 years. This particular sweater was a purchase I made from the gift card Uncle Alvin gave me in 1990. I always think of him when I get the sweater out and appreciate it for its "strength of character" - I mean, it's held up incredibly well over all these years! I don't purchase a lot of luxe designer label pieces. I usually prefer indie designers for the unique point of view they offer. Back in the day, you had to wait until after Christmas to get the best deals on clothing. My happy place was the Neiman Marcus sale rack and a license to indulge, thanks to Uncle Alvin. I'm not sure either of us could imagine that little joyful exercise with a gift card would one day turn into a styling business. I can attribute becoming a master at breaking down the value based on parameters to gifts such as this. That navy Gucci turtleneck has clearly stood the test of time and the quality is what you might expect from a luxury brand out of Italy.  The gift cards I've received have guided me to make better decisions because I wanted them to matter. I understand that not everyone on the receiving end will frame theirs with such clear expectations, but I want to help those who are at a loss this year for finding a great gift idea during our COVID Christmas season to embrace the gift card as a thoughtful choice. And if you receive a gift card, take the Tullebox challenge and see if you find something that will last as long as my sweater! Besides, it translates during the season of giving to support the businesses you love and want to see succeed. Let's not underestimate the ability a gift card has to spark anyone's desire to find joy at the end of a year full of challenges. I think it's safe to say that nearly every business has a way to connect you to a gift card opportunity. Small retailers will move mountains for you and so will this stylist. If you or someone you know wants to engage in a styling session in 2021, please reach out and I'll put a gift card in your hands from Tullebox. Together we can put my eye for quality and strategic styling solutions to work in your closet!