Homemade Gift Ideas: Coupons and Certificates That Give Your Time

Some of the best gifts cost very little. A coupon that promises your time, a favorite meal or some help with a chore can mean more than something from a shelf, especially when it comes from the heart.

Why coupons make good gifts

A coupon gives someone something they actually need: a break, some help, or time with you. It also lets you tailor the gift to the person. A stack of coupons can be given as a set, and it keeps the giving going long after the day itself.

Ideas for kids

• An extra bedtime story
• Choose the family movie
• A one-on-one trip to the park
• Stay up thirty minutes later

Ideas for a partner

• Breakfast in bed
• A night off from dishes
• A walk and a coffee together
• A sleep-in morning

Ideas for family and friends

• One favorite meal cooked for you
• An afternoon of help with a project
• A babysitting evening
• A ride to the airport

Think about what the person values

The best coupon speaks to what that person would really like. A busy parent may treasure a free evening more than anything else. A teenager might want a ride and a late curfew. A grandparent may simply want a visit. Before you write a coupon, spend a minute thinking about what would make that person’s week easier or happier.

Make the gift feel special

• Write the coupon in your own words and add a date to use it by.
• Be realistic. Only promise what you can really do.
• Pick up the gift card holder or envelope and pair it with a small treat.
• Follow through. The coupon is only a gift when it is honored.

How to present them

Stack the coupons with a ribbon or slip them in an envelope. Add a small treat, such as a favorite chocolate or a plant cutting. Tell the person they can redeem a coupon any time, and let them know how: a text, a note on the fridge or simply asking. The easier it is to use, the more it will be used.

Gift certificates for experiences

A printed gift certificate can also hold an experience: a dinner out, a movie night or a trip to somewhere you both enjoy. Fill in the lines by hand and slip it in a card.

Printables to make it easy

Our Gift Certificate and Coupon Pack has 12 gift certificates, 24 cut-apart coupons, 4 gift card holders and an envelope template. See how it works with the free gift certificate and coupon sample. These are personal gift pages. They are not store credit and have no cash value.

You can also browse every free sample on the Free Printables page, or see all digital downloads.