Homemade coupon book.
Jan 21 '00
It's been so long ago, I don't even remember who it was that initially gave me this idea, but I do know I can't take credit for having thought of it on my own. Wish that I had, though.
What this inexpensive (read FREE) gift is, is a coupon book that you make yourself.
I have made them a couple of times (even a thoughtful, homemade gift, gets kind of old-hat when it's given too many times) for my wife as anniversary or birthday gifts. No, I didn't give these as a substitute for something else and thereby dooming myself to a reputation as being the pen-ultimate in cheap-skates. These coupon books were given IN ADDITION to other gifts.
These can actually be made for pretty much any occasion and for anyone. I am only going to describe what I had created for my wife, but I think you will get the idea how you could modify it to be more appropriate for whomever the recipient would be.
REQUIRED ITEMS
1) Cardboard paper or some other heavy bond, colored paper. This is what I used to create the cover for the coupon book, with the one I made some years ago, before I owned a computer. How you "dress up" the cover is entirely up to you, but cutting out and gluing a picture of a b-day cake and some flowers worked well for the first one I did (for her b-day as you can probably guess).
Once I acquired a computer and software such as American Greetings Create-A-Card, I was able to create and print up a much more impressive cover.
2) Several sheets of regular notebook paper or plain typing paper. I know, by now you are probably thinking, "Geesh....regular sized paper is gonna make for one HUGE coupon book", but you will understand why, in a moment, it's better to go with full-size paper. Using a large tipped felt marker or pen, write across the top of each page, "THIS COUPON GOOD FOR", don't put anything further...yet.
Now starting with the first page, below the "THIS COUPON GOOD FOR" heading, write in what you want that coupon to be good for. Some of the ones I made are:
One day of shopping while I stay home and watch the children (and to spice this one up a bit, I even stapled a $100 gift certificate for Meyer and Frank to it).
One full day of relaxation - I will prepare the meals, clean around the house, do the laundry and take care of the children while you do whatever makes you feel comfortable.
One evening "out on the town", just the two of us, to include your choice of festivities - dinner, movie, going to a play, etc.
One romantic candlelit dinner for two, prepared by me, and the children are at a friends or babysitters.
One bubble bath, prepared by me, including scented soaps and bath oils.
One full body massage
One paid trip to a hair-stylist, beauty salon, manicurist or other personal beauty shop. (I know this one isn't really free, but it still doesn't cost anything to add it to the coupon book and you paying for one trip isn't gonna break the bank).
One full day of the house all to yourself, while I take the children out for matinees, family fun center, etc.
The list is virtually endless of what you can promise on the coupons. For the hubby you might offer a car wash, pay for a round of golf for him, send the children to the babysitter and prepare his favorite meal for just the two of you. Your only limit is your imagination.
The last thing to write on the bottom of each page is, "This coupon has NO expiration date." You may, or may not, decide to add some clipart or pictures to each of the pages, just to spruce them up a bit.
3) Lastly, you staple all the pages between the covers and put it in a large envelope or at least attach a bow to it (you should still have a couple of those laying around from last Christmas). Present it with the other gift(s) you are giving and be prepared to stand by the promises you made on the coupons.
Granted, this isn't all that fabulous and it may even make some people upset if they were to receive one, "You mean THIS is all you got me?!?!?!" However, I think that on the whole, most anyone would appreciate receiving something that first of all took some thought and was creative, and secondly, it all but guarantees some niceties down the line.
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Epinions.com ID:
leolion1
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Member: Matthew Thies
Location: Vancouver, WA
Reviews written: 43
Trusted by: 41 members
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