Decorative tins, boxes, plush carriers, other packaging from Seastone, Provo, UT, house gift cards, boost sales for gift that never needs to be returned.

Consumer appeal boosts gift card packaging sales 250% to more than 100 million units in 2007 versus about 40 million in 2006. Customers include major retailers like Kohl^™, Albertson^™, Home Depot, Dick^™ Sporting Goods, Walgreens, Wal-Mart.

While gift card sales continue to rise at a steady pace, gift card packaging has exploded as a product category, says Eric Child, president of Seastone, which pioneered packaging concept.

Survey by Comdata, Brentwood, TN, a specialist in electronic payments, shows 57% of consumers are more likely to purchase gift card with special packaging, 45% are more likely to purchase gift card in decorative tin. Seastone holds multiple patents related to gift card packaging, offers holiday, year-round designs, wide range of customizing options.