If life is crazy for you on a regular day, then I’ll bet it’s doubly crazy with holiday madness, when schedules are pushed to the limit. Make no mistake: when you’re in a rush, online holiday shopping is efficient, safe and secure shopping, and with an eCODE from Plastic Jungle, you’ll also save money.

Did you know that gift cards are available in an electronic format? An eCODE is an electronic gift card, aka e-gift cards, e-gift codes, or e-certificate: this is the code you enter at a merchant’s online checkout page as a method of payment. It’s not a “promo” or promotion code that gives you a percentage off, or free shipping: an eCODE is actual tender.

So, when you combine the discounted eCODE with a store’s coupon code or promo code, or even a free shipping offer, you can really stack up the holiday savings.

You can buy a discounted electronic gift card, or eCODE, on Plastic Jungle and have the eCODE ready for payment at the specified merchant in a matter of minutes. When you purchase an eCODE, with the Plastic Jungle discount, the eCODE is sent to the email address you registered with. To gift the eCODE, just forward the Plastic Jungle eCODE to your recipient.

Right now on Plastic Jungle, you’ll find iTunes gift cards available as an eCODE*, so you can buy the gift card for less than face value, and use the full face value for online iTunes purchases right away. Barnes & Noble gift cards are available as an eCODE right now too – for online purchases only.

Inside Scoop:  There will be quite a few Zappos gift cards on PlasticJungle.com starting this weekend!

So instead of running from store to store, checking stock and searching for the best deal, smart holiday shoppers are easily finding their holiday deals online. Plastic Jungle definitely wants you to know that with eCODEs, we’re happy to help you with that.

*Remember, gift card and eCODE offerings on Plastic Jungle change all the time. Check back frequently, or sign up for email notifications, for offers from the store of your choice.

Gift Card Deals from Their Favorite Stores Save You Hassle, Make Teachers Happy

Most schools let out this Friday: scrambling for a gift to get to your child’s teacher in time might be a stress-point. Browsing through Plastic Jungle will get you on your way, and at less than retail price.

Any parent will tell you that finding the right balance between meaningful teacher gifts (something written or created by your child specifically for the teacher) and thoughtful teacher gifts (straight-on cash for poorly paid teachers) is an annual quandary.

Teachers love gift cards – they don’t require watering, or display, or even add empty calories to their diet. Here are some ideas from GiftCardGirlfriend.com.

Plastic Jungle saves parents the hassle of even perusing the gift card mall at the grocery store. Right here is an aggregate of top-brand gift cards that run the gamut from Starbucks to Bath & Body Works to Walmart to Sony Style, and iTunes retail and online stores*. With an eCode, or an online gift card, you can shop as late as Thursday night, and get your teacher’s gift in by Friday. Plus, these are discounted gift cards, sent to you with free shipping, offering a price break without any hassle. (Sometimes, when you get a gift card directly from a retail outlet online, you have to pay for shipping… actually adding cost!)

One idea for presentation is to have your child make a card, and include a slot for the gift card, or a print-out of the code. You could even do a collage with items you have in mind for the teacher, or a list of songs you think the teacher might like to download.

You’ve got to save time. You’ve got to save money. And, you have to say “Thanks so much!” Plastic Jungle offers parents, and anyone gift giving this holiday season, just that.

*Remember, gift card offerings on Plastic Jungle change all the time. Check back frequently, or sign up for email notifications, for offers from the store of your choice.