Take Your Child on a Giftventure!
A Giftventure is a personalized treasure hunt service where all of the materials are custom made and delivered to you! You simply choose an adventure, a character, and a hiding place for a gift that you provide. Enter the location where you have the hidden gift, some of the child’s personal interests, (such as a favorite game, or a local landmark), and you’re all set! Using the information you provide, they create and mail a series of letters and puzzles addressed to the child who must solve the puzzles and follow the clues in the letters to discover the location of your hidden gift.
Trust me when I tell you that Giftventure is as cool as it sounds, if not cooler.
There are currently seven adventures to choose from with more coming soon, and there are seven characters that guide your child along their giftventure.
Giftventure has been undergoing some changes in the past months. Now customers can purchase general Giftventures without having to personalize them first. This means you can purchase, as an example, 3 giftventures. After purchase, you get a confirmation email with an individual ID code for each of the 3 giftventures. You can choose to personalize one right then, keep one saved on your member account to use for another occasion later in the year, send the ID code to a friend or family member for them to redeem on the site and personalize their own giftventure (just like a gift card) or any combination of the three.
Three families including my own were the first crazy Canucks to try Giftventure. They’ve just launched their company in to Canada and I know that if we spread the word it’s going to be huge here. (Canadians have good taste, after all.)
I used my Giftventure for my 9 year old niece. She is all about adventure and imagination and still firmly believes in all of the mythical people and creatures that children should. She was so pumped when she received the first letter that she drove me crazy until the next one finally arrived. The entire experience was wonderful and I know she’ll never forget it!
Read on to see what TOP writers Andrea and Raechelle thought of their own Giftventures:
A child’s imagination is something pretty spectacular. Just last night my kiddos were talking about zombies as if they were actual and factual, it was quite cute. Sometimes I find it difficult to feed their creativity to the length that they desire, but when we started The Treasure Map Adventure from Giftventure I could tell that they would be at their imaginative peak for the next few days.
The ordering online was very easy, just pick a character, fill out a bit of information like the children’s names (you can name up to three), a location by your house, and something that your children enjoy doing. This allows Giftventure to totally personalize your treasure hunt! I was able to order in less than five minutes and the checkout process was super easy. It arrived in the mail about a week later.
Upon opening the package I could see that this would be something the children would enjoy. It contained three envelopes that looked like they were sent directly from “Gunther the Dragon” (the character I chose), and inside them were a story and directions on how to find the hidden present! I had purchased a small gift to use at the end of the hunt. The treasure hunt lasted over the time span of about a week, where Gunther would drop off a letter with a few more instructions each time.
My two older children, ages 5 and 7, took part in the hunt. They’re still at the age where they actually believe dragons exist and that there’s a magical place called Cloudstead up in the clouds. For that week of fun my children went to bed speaking of Gunther and the hunt, and they would wake up looking for letters from this magical dragon. It was great seeing them so excited for something that I really didn’t even have to put any effort in to. All I had to do was buy a small gift, than play along, and giftventure took care of the rest. And now we have to figure out what to do with all of the letters that the kiddos have written to Gunther! And I think I may have to order more adventures for their birthdays (and Christmas, and Easter, and maybe Halloween too)! - Andrea
When Dad leaves for business trips it is always tough on my kids. My preschooler pines for her Dad, and the special time they spend together. This time I wanted something special to distract her while he was away so we had a Giftventure delivered.
We began the adventure on the first day her Dad was gone. We went to check the mail to discover a special letter for her. Being an avid fan of mail, she was extremely excited to open it up and start her Giftventure. (You can have them all delivered to the parents in one package or have them individually delivered to the children. If you’d like to have the control, you can just stick them in your own mailbox for the kids on certain days!)
I had hidden a special gift in our hall closet and on the following days she received more clues in the mail to guide her way. She absolutely adored that a fairy was taking her on this Giftventure. The map was AWESOME and we are now drawing treasure maps on a daily basis.
Before we knew it, Daddy was home and she shared her amazing story of her Giftventure with him. I would not hesitate to have more Giftventures in the future – especially now with the great service and very reasonable shipping rates to Canada. -Raechelle
Save 10% on your Giftventure with the code TOP10CAN.
This code is the newest addition to the TOP Shops – the most fabulous collection of online shopping discounts anywhere on the web!
Win it! We’re giving away a Giftventure to one lucky T.O.P. reader. To enter, leave a comment on this post by noon MST on May 29/08. (Yes, any comment – even the lazy ones will get through this time!) ONE ADDITIONAL WINNER will be drawn from those that blog about this contest and get the word out about Giftventure!
Additional entries available. See contest entry information and rules.
CONTEST CLOSED – Congrats Wendy and Angela!
May 22nd, 2008 at 4:19 am
What a great idea someone came up with. I would love to be included in your giveaway. Thanks.
Carey’s last blog post..Wordless Wednesday
May 22nd, 2008 at 5:13 am
This sounds like a really cool thing to do with kids. We love family activities!
May 22nd, 2008 at 5:42 am
I’m lazy,LOL, count me in!
May 22nd, 2008 at 5:53 am
Gee this is sure unique – great concept!
May 22nd, 2008 at 5:58 am
Oh, Giftventures are much fun. I did one for my 7 year old daughter for Valentine’s Day, and she had a blast with it.
May 22nd, 2008 at 6:02 am
This sounds like so much fun for my pirate treasure obsessed son.
Gwen’s last blog post..Overheard
May 22nd, 2008 at 6:03 am
lazy person here
May 22nd, 2008 at 6:11 am
This is a totally unique and intriguing idea! How cool is that? I would love to do this.
May 22nd, 2008 at 6:15 am
WHat a neat idea! Sounds like lots of fun and a great memory maker.ty 4 the contest!
May 22nd, 2008 at 6:24 am
enter me in drawing ;please.
May 22nd, 2008 at 7:17 am
My brothers would love this. Please enter me to win.
Andrea’s last blog post..Baby Banz Giveaway
May 22nd, 2008 at 7:34 am
Lazy ones – that’s me!! This sounds great! Can’t wait to try it!!
May 22nd, 2008 at 8:24 am
This is the most awesome idea. I know a slew of kids AND adults that would really like to be gifted with a gift adventure. I’m sending this one to all my Mommy friends.
May 22nd, 2008 at 9:12 am
ok, i’m lazy
May 22nd, 2008 at 9:34 am
Thanks for the contest!
May 22nd, 2008 at 9:43 am
oh my gosh this is AWESOME! thanks!
Wendy’s last blog post..Sleep Tight Baby – Nightlight
May 22nd, 2008 at 9:52 am
I’m not lazy!
this would be a fun gift as my son’s a bit young now!
Krista’s last blog post..Prayers
May 22nd, 2008 at 9:53 am
Thanks for the giveaway. This looks like a lot of fun.
May 22nd, 2008 at 11:30 am
This would be a fun and exciting giveaway for my girls and I to use. They are very adventurous and at age 5 and 6; they will use it everyday!!!!
Going to the site and exploring it has made me excited and more eager to win (for my girls…and me (LOL)).
Great contest, would be nice to win something useful for my girls minds.
Barbara Baker’s last blog post..» Blog Archive » Our May Giveaway!
May 22nd, 2008 at 12:20 pm
enter me please- i’m defintally a opinionated parent of furbabies!
May 22nd, 2008 at 12:21 pm
What a great way to start your summer with the kids!
3beez at bellsouth dot net
May 22nd, 2008 at 12:23 pm
My son would love this. He is crazy about pirates and I’d love to win this for him. Thanks for the giveaway!
May 22nd, 2008 at 12:24 pm
How cool is this! My girls would totally enjoy a giftventure!! Thanks for offering this!
~Tanya
the4moyers(at)msn(dot)com
May 22nd, 2008 at 12:39 pm
It makes it so much more fun ; a treasure hunt to find the gift. We used to have treasure hunt birthday parties when I was little….
The memories of the hunt are more vivid than the memory of a specific gift.
Thanks!
mannequin’s last blog post..I Etsy, Do you Etsy?
May 22nd, 2008 at 1:00 pm
This sounds sooo fun! My son is all about treasure maps! He would love this!!
May 22nd, 2008 at 1:11 pm
Thanks so much for the opportunity.
mistchlo[at]hughes[dot]net
misty’s last blog post..Thursday Thirteen (7th Edition).
May 22nd, 2008 at 1:26 pm
Gee, I’m not used to being lazy when I give a comment! I give it my all or at least attempt to! LOL. Thanks for another chance to win a fun prize. Please enter my name in your drawing. Many thanks,Cindi
TOP Says: Cindi, I love reading your comments! They’re always a pleasure. Thanks for your continued support and good luck!
May 22nd, 2008 at 1:26 pm
Sounds like fun! Does it work for husbands too? I’d like to do something different for his birthday this year
May 22nd, 2008 at 1:31 pm
sounds cool!
May 22nd, 2008 at 2:03 pm
great idea
May 22nd, 2008 at 2:51 pm
gosh what a great idea. I can see how kids would totally love this whole concept
May 22nd, 2008 at 3:02 pm
What a fantastic idea!! I would love to win this for my kids for when their dad goes on a business trip again. Thanks for the great giveaway!
May 22nd, 2008 at 3:32 pm
Great giveaway! Count me in. bebemiqui82(at)yahoo(dot)com
Bebemiqui’s last blog post..We were Kung Fu Fighting
May 22nd, 2008 at 3:52 pm
This is GREAT! I’d love to win this for my god-son. He would have a BLAST!
Deborah’s last blog post..Broken Angel by Sigmund Brouwer
May 22nd, 2008 at 4:15 pm
What a great concept! Not only is it fun but it looks like a great learning tool, too.
May 22nd, 2008 at 4:53 pm
This sounds really cool! I have never even heard about it before! My son would get such a kick out of it.
May 22nd, 2008 at 4:59 pm
My daughter would love this, first of all because she is just learning to read, so she would love trying to figure out what it says, and second, because she loves mysteries! If I were more creative, I might say I could do this on my own, but I definitely need a service like this to help me out. This would be a great win for me!
May 22nd, 2008 at 5:29 pm
Enter Me !!
May 22nd, 2008 at 6:01 pm
I’ve never heard of this! Count me in. I know my oldest would enjoy this a lot.
Megret’s last blog post..Very, very helpful songs!
May 22nd, 2008 at 6:03 pm
That sounds awesome! My dad would send us on treasure hunts for easter eggs filled with stickers — he must have spent hours making up the rhyming clues!
May 22nd, 2008 at 6:41 pm
What a cool idea! I love anything that get the kids thinking and moving.
May 22nd, 2008 at 6:42 pm
My daughter would love this!
May 22nd, 2008 at 6:48 pm
that is so neat! Connor is a bit too young but it would make a fabulous gift!
I blogged you on Prize-a-Tron!
http://www.prizeatron.com
Angela’s last blog post..Bob The Builder – The Three Musketrucks
May 22nd, 2008 at 7:34 pm
Wow! These look like so much fun!
Anita’s last blog post..Thursday 13: 13 Things I could live without but won’t
May 22nd, 2008 at 8:05 pm
okey dokey, lazy comment… umm… sign me up, count me in, I’d like to win please, sounds great, great giveaway, and all that jazz.
Tara’s last blog post..Olivia rides again
May 22nd, 2008 at 8:14 pm
This is such a cool idea!
Colleen’s last blog post..What’s for Dinner: BBQ Pork Ribs
May 22nd, 2008 at 9:24 pm
What a fantastic idea! My dad used to do scavenger hunts with me when I was a kid.
Ellie’s last blog post..Happy Birthday little man!
May 22nd, 2008 at 9:53 pm
Great giveaway, thanks!
Mary @ Adventures in Mommyland’s last blog post..Win a Bob the Builder DVD
May 22nd, 2008 at 10:13 pm
sweet!
Stephen Saunders’s last blog post..A thief among us…
May 22nd, 2008 at 10:56 pm
sounds great!!!
May 23rd, 2008 at 4:13 am
thank you!
May 23rd, 2008 at 4:26 am
I would love to do this with my grandchildren.
May 23rd, 2008 at 5:46 am
This is the coolest thing I have ever seen for birthdays,etc…
May 23rd, 2008 at 6:02 am
How fun is this! My son would have a blast with this!
May 23rd, 2008 at 6:08 am
this is so neat! i hope you choose me
chantelle’s last blog post..Busy Busy
May 23rd, 2008 at 6:18 am
this is so sweet and a great idea. so original
May 23rd, 2008 at 6:43 am
This sweepstakes has been featured on Sweepstakes Advantage, http://www.sweepsadvantage.com. The Web’s Largest Directory of Free Online Sweepstakes. Good Luck to Everyone!
May 23rd, 2008 at 7:22 am
I think that this is a great idea! Perfect for a kids birthday party!
May 23rd, 2008 at 7:35 am
This sounds like such an awesome idea. Very creative and different.
May 23rd, 2008 at 8:54 am
This sounds super cool, my kids would love it! Thanks for the contest!
May 23rd, 2008 at 8:57 am
well,im not sure what this is all about but it sounds interesting,so please count me in as one of the lazy ones,thanks
May 23rd, 2008 at 9:20 am
What a cool idea! I hope I stumble across this in a few years when I can use it with my daughter
Becki’s last blog post..Your Mission…
May 23rd, 2008 at 9:39 am
This sounds really neat! I think my daughter would enjoy a treat like this!
May 23rd, 2008 at 9:58 am
What a concept! I always liked these kind of things as a kid and getting things in the mail (personalized things at any age) is always great!!
May 23rd, 2008 at 10:05 am
This could be fun for adults too!
May 23rd, 2008 at 10:10 am
I would love to win this as a gift for my nephew! Thanks a million!
helene’s last blog post..Natalie Kate
May 23rd, 2008 at 10:21 am
That sounds like so much fun. I think I’d enjoy it too!
May 23rd, 2008 at 10:23 am
thanks for the contest
May 23rd, 2008 at 11:35 am
thanks
May 23rd, 2008 at 11:44 am
Very cool Please Pick Me
May 23rd, 2008 at 12:13 pm
i want to win
May 23rd, 2008 at 12:55 pm
Thanks for the chance!
May 23rd, 2008 at 1:26 pm
Super fun! Thanks for the contest.
May 23rd, 2008 at 1:38 pm
Great site!
May 23rd, 2008 at 2:14 pm
This would really be fun for my grandson! Enter me please
May 23rd, 2008 at 3:16 pm
Love the Treasure Map Adventure. My kids are all about kings, castles, pirates and all things make believe. Hope I win.
May 23rd, 2008 at 3:33 pm
lol to all
May 23rd, 2008 at 3:48 pm
Wow!!
May 23rd, 2008 at 3:59 pm
I’d love to win this for my nephew. Thanks for the chance!
Jennifer H.’s last blog post..Maybe I Should . . .
May 23rd, 2008 at 5:43 pm
i am IN LOVE with this idea and cannot wait to use it!! so fun and crazy creative!!!
May 23rd, 2008 at 7:54 pm
My nephew would be enthralled, what a neat way to deliver a gift! Gunther the Dragon starring in Scrambler’s Maze Adventure would probably appeal most to him.
May 23rd, 2008 at 8:00 pm
This is an interesting concept. I looked at the site awhile ago, but didn’t fully understand it. I think my youngest daughter would love this though!
Ginny’s last blog post..Saturday Giveaways & Contests
May 23rd, 2008 at 8:00 pm
This looks fantastic
May 23rd, 2008 at 10:24 pm
I did something similar for my daughters birthday a few years back but the letter coming from a totally different person would just be super excitng!
I would love to win this for her!
bvbabybv at gmail.com
May 23rd, 2008 at 10:31 pm
This sounds so incredibly fun and cool! Thanks for telling about it and the chance to win!
May 23rd, 2008 at 11:56 pm
I could see my daughter having a blast with an adventure!!
Noreen’s last blog post..Ice Cream Cake
May 24th, 2008 at 6:27 am
wow- thiese would be so fun for any child
May 24th, 2008 at 7:51 am
cool, any comment! here it is. COMMENT!
May 24th, 2008 at 10:24 am
Wow this sounds really exciting and adventurous , a very fun and unique gift idea!
Kristinia’s last blog post..Need your Prayers
May 24th, 2008 at 10:25 am
We have ya’ll listed on our bloggy sidebar!
Kristinia’s last blog post..Need your Prayers
May 24th, 2008 at 10:25 am
We are also subscribed to your RSS feed/newsletter!
Kristinia’s last blog post..Need your Prayers
May 24th, 2008 at 11:07 am
This sounds like a lot of fun!
Julie’s last blog post..Update! I won the essay contest!
May 24th, 2008 at 2:51 pm
Well, I don’t want to be “lazy” lol but this sounds like a lot of fun and I hope I win!
May 24th, 2008 at 4:47 pm
great
May 25th, 2008 at 9:34 am
My grandkids would think this is great! Thanks for letting us know about it and for having the giveaway!
May 25th, 2008 at 9:59 am
I guess i’ll be a lazy one this time. I usually leave a long comment so this is good for now. Please enter me !
May 25th, 2008 at 11:46 am
enter me
May 25th, 2008 at 4:36 pm
This is such a cute gift idea!
Thanks!
May 25th, 2008 at 4:36 pm
Im a subscriber too!!
May 25th, 2008 at 4:38 pm
And a button holder!!!
May 25th, 2008 at 4:40 pm
Sounds so much fun I am sure my two oldest would love to win this. Thanks
May 25th, 2008 at 7:46 pm
what a great idea!
May 26th, 2008 at 8:41 am
This would be so fun for my grandson.
May 26th, 2008 at 8:46 am
Sounds like an awesome idea! My 4.5 year old, Jonathan would love it!
Eileen’s last blog post..California Baby® Products.
May 26th, 2008 at 1:04 pm
never heard of this but it sounds like a lot of fun
May 26th, 2008 at 3:12 pm
Please count us in.
May 26th, 2008 at 7:06 pm
This…is…the…coolest…idea. My kids would love it.
May 26th, 2008 at 10:06 pm
What a great idea!! The treasure hunt sounds fun and around the hoildays it would keep the kids busy also they would have so much fun.
Count me in
May 27th, 2008 at 7:42 am
I have been wanting to do with my my niece, and even have the prize. What a great idea!
May 27th, 2008 at 7:59 am
What a cute idea! I am going to pass the info on to all of my friends with older children.
May 27th, 2008 at 9:28 am
No lazy comment on this one – I think this is a great idea and I am going to order one for my youngest daughter for making all A’s in school. I love that these are customized by age and I think that my older 2 will want their own after they experience her adventure.
May 27th, 2008 at 11:53 am
This sounds great! I’m in
May 27th, 2008 at 12:16 pm
enter me!
May 27th, 2008 at 1:34 pm
i’m as lazy as they come…
pam’s last blog post..laptops
May 27th, 2008 at 2:12 pm
My kid’s are really into treasure hunts especially after National Treasure!!!
May 27th, 2008 at 8:28 pm
What a creative and fun idea. My boys would love this!
May 28th, 2008 at 2:24 am
This sounds too cool, I think daddy could have fun with this too. This could be a memory building tool that he can tell everyone daddy and him did. Count me in, thanks for such a cool idea.
May 28th, 2008 at 2:53 am
This is such a great idea and could be used for any age. Imagination is a wonderful thing. I would really like this, sounds like a blast. Everyone loves to get mail, especially when it’s mail not bills.
May 28th, 2008 at 9:56 am
lazy ones, my kind of contest!
May 28th, 2008 at 10:50 am
looks cool
May 28th, 2008 at 11:56 am
This is very cool! I’d love to win, of course, but I’ve also bookmarked them for the future.
May 28th, 2008 at 12:02 pm
I am not sure who would have more fun with this me or her
May 28th, 2008 at 12:04 pm
wish i thought of this
May 28th, 2008 at 12:50 pm
What a creative and ingenious idea.
May 28th, 2008 at 2:38 pm
Sweet niblets!
May 28th, 2008 at 6:49 pm
They all looked fun. My children would love it. They are 6 and 8, so they would love the older age ones
May 28th, 2008 at 7:24 pm
great idea for those of us that have little imagination and wish for my kids to have a great birthday.
May 28th, 2008 at 8:34 pm
My nephew would love this!
Thanks so much!
May 28th, 2008 at 9:28 pm
This sounds like alot of fun for the kiddies!
May 28th, 2008 at 10:14 pm
What a great idea! – - Very cute!
C Duran’s last blog post..Questionnaire for Possible Free SENSEO Coffee Machine
May 28th, 2008 at 11:28 pm
Great for my grandkids. enter me.
May 29th, 2008 at 3:29 am
Sounds great. Count me in.
May 29th, 2008 at 3:30 am
It sounds like so much fun.
May 29th, 2008 at 5:19 am
My granddaughter would love this.
May 29th, 2008 at 6:10 am
This is really cool! My kids are always going on treasure hunts- making maps, hiding things and giving each other clues, etc. They would have so much fun with this
May 29th, 2008 at 6:30 am
We all need many adventures even as adults. Many Thanks SW
May 29th, 2008 at 6:45 am
My daughter loves treasure hunts. I am sure we will have a blast with this!
Thanks
May 29th, 2008 at 6:47 am
YAY! I feel lazy today!
May 29th, 2008 at 6:49 am
This is a great idea! Whoever thought of this is one SMART person!!
May 29th, 2008 at 7:01 am
This is a great idea and I know a little girl who would love this.
May 29th, 2008 at 7:14 am
please enter me
May 29th, 2008 at 7:52 am
What a great idea someone came up with.
May 29th, 2008 at 9:06 am
Please enter me into the contest. Thanks!
May 29th, 2008 at 9:11 am
What an awesome idea. This may be just thing to get all my little ones working together as a team!
May 29th, 2008 at 9:25 am
What a great idea my daughter would love to hunt for her birthday present
May 29th, 2008 at 10:43 am
Wow…this sounds awesome!
May 29th, 2008 at 10:55 am
What’s a lazy post? haha
I’m excited about this. What a cool idea!
May 29th, 2008 at 10:59 am
This is such a great idea for gift givers! I love this. Thanks for sharing the great site with us!
Miranda Kuskie’s last blog post..Win a Ergo Baby Carrier!
May 29th, 2008 at 1:40 pm
I am lazy, but I do like this giveaway
May 29th, 2008 at 2:18 pm
What an awesome idea! I know a little girl who has a birthday coming up . . .
May 29th, 2008 at 4:11 pm
I would like to try The Scrambler’s Maze Adventure.
June 11th, 2008 at 9:50 pm
Gift Baskets Flower Tattoos Christmas…
I didn’t agree with you first, but last paragraph makes sense for me…
June 19th, 2008 at 1:10 am
Eric…
Thanks for the nice read, keep up the interesting posts…..
June 19th, 2008 at 4:04 am
jennifer walcott videos…
I Googled for something completely different, but found your page…and have to say thanks. nice read….
June 20th, 2008 at 6:19 am
Nicholas…
I’ve been a member of the aarp for about 5 years now. At first I resisted it, thinking it was an admission that I was getting older, but hey, I need the insurance and with them, I was a shoe in. If you haven’t checked them out recently, the America…
July 2nd, 2008 at 12:20 pm
maxaquin…
streptococco vaginale maxaquin…
July 4th, 2008 at 12:30 pm
Flowers Types Of Flowers Amy Rose…
I didn’t agree with you first, but last paragraph makes sense for me…
July 5th, 2008 at 6:05 pm
percocet…
percocet cold water extraction…
July 19th, 2008 at 4:24 pm
deltasone…
deltasone…
October 4th, 2008 at 1:59 pm
customized children\’s books…
The term is used colloquially for any kind of Linkback. As a result, TrackBack spam filters similar to those implemented against comment…
October 27th, 2008 at 6:28 pm
Great idea. keep up the good work
Martin Foster’s last blog post..Jose – child sponsored by Freelygive.org in Peru
November 4th, 2008 at 12:09 pm
senseo coffee maker reviews…
A Trackback is one of three types of Linkbacks, methods for Web authors to request notification when somebody links to one of their documents….