What gift cards topped your shopping list last month?

After being cooped up for a long winter, shoppers were ready to get some fresh air and visit their favorite big-box retail stores. Nearly all of the gift cards in the Top 10 were to superstore chains. And with Cinco de May, Mother’s Day and Memorial Day, there were plenty of holidays to celebrate.

Home Depot and Lowe’s topped the list (#1 and #2 respectively). Perhaps many of you were tackling home improvement projects or shopping ahead for Father’s Day.  Nearly 10,000 Home Depot gift cards were purchased – that’s Jungle-riffic!  Did you paint a nursery?  Re-tile a bathroom?  Build new shelving?  Not only are our Plastic Jungle friends savvy shoppers you are also quite handy!  We’d love to hear your home improvement stories and see pictures of your new-and-improved abodes.

Here’s your Top 10 Most-Wanted list for May:

#1 Home Depot – buy today for 7% off!

#2 Lowe’s – buy today for 7% off!

#3 Walmart – no gift cards currently available but check back soon or get set up on a notification alert. New gift cards are added all the time!

#4 Target – buy today for 3% off!

#5 Best Buy – buy today for 5% off!

#6 Macy’s – no gift cards currently available but check back soon or get set up on a notification alert. New gift cards are added all the time!

#7 Kohl’s – buy today for 15% off!

#8 JC Penney – buy today for 14% off!

#9 Apple Store - no gift cards currently available but check back soon or get set up on a notification alert. New gift cards are added all the time!

#10 Cabela’s – buy today for 10% off!

And check this out – the top six also made an appearance in the May 2010 Top 10 list. Home Depot, Lowe’s, Walmart, Target, Best Buy and Macy’s have been solid merchants year-to-year.

What are YOUR favorite gift cards this month? Can you predict who will top the charts in June?

Value-minded golfers rejoice! It just got even easier to get top-brand golf clubs and gear at outstanding values (like up to 80% off) thanks to a new partnership between leading internet golf retailer, 3balls.com and the web’s largest secured gift card exchange, Plastic Jungle.

If you haven’t already heard of 3balls.com, you should know it’s not your standard golf website. It’s more like a golf bargain-hunter’s dream for top-brand clubs, both used and new.

Any given day on 3balls website you’ll find thousands of unique, used clubs trade-ins from pro-shops around the country up for sale alongside manufacturer overstock, closeouts and “open box returns”, all selling at a fraction of their retail cost. (Of course, 3balls also has full selection of the latest “inline” products that just hit the streets, at very competitive prices.)

And now, you can get the clubs you want even more affordably by converting gift cards from dozens of different establishments into PayPal dollars instantly redeemable on 3balls.com. Integrated PayPal Express checkout makes the whole process easy and seamless.

If you’re looking to drive the ticket price down even further, 3balls can help there too, with their online club trade-in program.

All good news for golfers! Take a look at what you could exchange your gift cards for today at 3balls.com:

Top 10 Brands
TaylorMade
Ping
Callaway
Cobra
Titleist
Cleveland
Mizuno
Adams
Nike
Odyssey

Top 10 Product Types
Iron Sets
Drivers
Golf Apparel
Golf Shoes
Golf Bags
Golf Balls
Fairway Woods
Putters
Wedges
Hybrids

Perhaps this will provide you a little early inspiration for Mom (Mother’s Day is coming up May 8th) or Dad (Father’s Day is June 19th)… or maybe this is just the excuse you were looking for to get rid of your old clubs (it’s nearly time for Spring Cleaning after all) and buy some shiny new clubs to up your game.  Tell us what you think!

If you haven’t found Mom the perfect gift, we have plenty of suggestions that will help you avoid spending a fortune.  Shop with discounted gift cards to save money along the way and show Mom how much you care.

Save 25% on 1-800-flowers.com Gift Cards

Thank Mom for all she does with an arrangement from 1-800-flowers.com or buy her sweets, treats, and more from sister brands, such as 1-800-baskets and The Popcorn Factory.

Save 12% on SpaFinder Gift Cards

Reconnect with Mom by booking a Spa Day for the two of you. Get away and enjoy spending quality time together in a relaxing environment.

Save 60% on Restaurant.com Gift Cards*

Celebrate with family and friends at your Mom’s favorite restaurant and let her enjoy the night off from cooking. Find restaurants in your area to save on food and drinks.

*This is an electronic code and only valid at participating Restaurant .com restaurants. Discount is based on discount dining purchase, and is not in addition to any discounts that may be offered by Restaurant .com.

Save 13% on Bath & Body Works Gift Cards

Brighten up your Mom’s day with a collection of her favorite scents. Maybe she would enjoy a home spa package?

Share with us below how you plan to treat your Mom this Mother’s Day… or tell us what makes her so special to you!

Just a friendly reminder, Spa Week is beginning in just a few days!  Don’t miss this opportunity to enjoy exclusive treatments and special deals across the country.

Today’s Sock Drawer Savings Tip:

Purchase a $50 SpaFinder Gift Card on PlasticJungle.com at a 12% discount.  Use your Spa Finder Gift Card on a 50 minute therapeutic warm milk foot bath with creme honey polish pedicure (for example) originally at a rate of $75.  Combine the Spa Week discount and SpaFinder gift card, and this treatment can be yours for $44!

Pampering yourself never been so affordable – and you deserve it!

For all the early bird shoppers, Mother’s Day is May 9th… Nothing says ‘thank you for all you have done for me’ like a relaxing spa day.  SpaFinder gift cards are accepted at 5,000 spas.  Search for spas near you by visiting SpaFinder.com.

The clock is ticking…if you need your SpaFinder gift card quickly, please call the Plastic Jungle Customer Service Team between Mon. – Fri. 8 am- 4pm (pst).

And don’t forget Graduation 2010 is just around the corner. Planning ahead will save you money and the headache of last minute shopping.