20+ Ways to Use Your Partners Card

Growing up, I always loved the holidays. Then, as newlyweds, my husband and I set aside nights every season to look at lights, watch good Christmas movies and partake in special events such as tree lightings, concerts and cocoa stops. Having a child now (especially one with a Christmas Day birthday!), has really made the season more magical. It has also made the season more hectic, more pressure and more expensive than ever before! We’re entertaining at the house, creating magic for a little one and trying to keep some peace of mind at the same time. 

If you’ve lived in Dallas for a while, you’ve likely heard of Partners Card, the 10 days of the year where you can purchase a card for $70 and “unlock” 20% off discounts in stores all over town. The $70 donation goes to work supporting survivors of family violence through The Family Place’s shelters and programming, while you can load up on all of your favorite items that are rarely discounted. This is a special initiative for me, since I know through personal contacts that the 38% of Texas women who have experienced intimate partner violence in their lifetime occurs in every neighborhood, and close to home. (Ok, I also really love the card because I really love to shop!)

For a while, I bought the card and then shopped casually, usually getting back what I paid for the card in savings on my purchases. I recently became more privvy to how some of the smartest shoppers in Dallas use the card. They plan and execute Partners Card week retail ninja style, and not only have all of their holiday shopping and prep done in 10 days, but have saved a significant amount of money while supporting local businesses and helping families suffering from domestic abuse. 

The way to maximize your Partners Card is to plan, plan, plan. After some market research, I’ve discovered some unlikely ways to use the card that not only are genius, but free up time during the peak of holiday season for family and fun. Here’s my holiday prep checklist and how I’m knocking it out thanks to Partners Card!

Home Ready

I love the spontaneity of people dropping by during the holidays with a cookie delivery or to say hello while in town visiting family. I should clarify, I like these pop-bys if I am experiencing a rare moment of my home looking presentable. I purchased my first “nice” vaccum cleaner during Partners Card years ago from All Vac, and it’s never needed repair or replacement and it’s still getting our floors clean in minutes. It’s more than paid for itself from the many times I’ve pulled it out after a “headed over” text appearing on my phone! Company coming to bunk up for Christmas? I also purchased our new mattress after our wedding from Sleep Experts on Partners Card, saving a few hundred dollars on a great quality mattress set.

Holiday decorations are done and suddenly on sale in November when you use the card at Apples to Zinnias and Wisteria. Don’t forget the front porch at Nicholson Hardie, where you can use your card on planters and mums for the holidays plus bulbs to plant now for a gorgeous spring. If family is coming in with children, you can outfit the backyard for plenty of outdoor fun with incredible play sets and trampolines from The Wooden Swing Company. Has your dog or potty training child taken the last life from your sofa? I’ve been there, and Partners Card is an awesome time to save on new furniture. Pottery Barn classics are available for discount, and I always find something eye catching and unique at Zuri Modern Furniture. You can even spruce up your carpets or design rug spaces with a Partners Card discount at FLOR!

Set the Table

If company is coming, you’re likely going to feed them! Stock up on new dishware and cooking supplies from Williams-Sonoma and Sur la Table. Partners Card retailer Saint Bernard is now carrying Halo Home by KSW linens, and even taking custom monograms for the cocktail and dinner napkins on the Friday, November 6, from 10:00 a.m. – noon as a special Partners Card event. Local paper stores like Paper Affair are fully stocked with clever and chic disposable napkins and cups for your parties. Make the food easy by loading up on gift cards and ready to heat meals now from TJ’s Seafood Market and Holy Ravioli. 

Gift Closet

I love to give and receive gifts during the holidays, but there is nothing more stressful or embarrassing to me than being caught off guard! A stocked gift closet is the way to go and easy to “shop” out of for anything that comes up over the next few busy months. My favorite local toy store, Toy Maven, is a partner on the card and I can go grab a baker’s dozen Melissa and Doug puzzles to keep in my closet as long as they last. Babybliss has the sweetest baby items, many gender neutral to keep on hand for baby showers. I love that Hair Bar is on Partners Card – what a great gift for a teacher, executive assistant, babysitter or girlfriend! Make sure you have plenty of gift wrap on hand and ready by stocking up at The Container Store. 

In the Mail

It may be hard to believe, but you do not (I repeat: do not!) have to order your family holiday cards online! Write Selection personally helps you design your family holiday card, real person talking to you and all, and will take 20% off your purchase during Partners Card week with your card. Stock up on pens, envelopes and everything at once so you’re ready to add a personal note and send them off once they’re finished. Getting married, creating birth announcements or updating your address? They do that too. Looking back, I would have *loved* the thought of personal wedding invitations and the sound of 20% off the register at the same time. 

Packed and Ready

Holiday party outfits and packing lists can be in the bag using Partners Card too! Headed to the slopes or just grandma’s house up north? Saint Bernard is already fully stocked with winter apparel for men, women and kids. I always look for the “igrow” feature on many of their kids’ coats, which lets me let out the seam on the arm sleeves for an extra one or two inches in length over time and hopefully an extra season of wear! The kids holiday dress-up clothes are in at adorable local boutiques like KidBiz and Doodle & Stinker. Instead of waiting for a late in season sale, get it all picked now for breakfast with Santa and family photos. Check the luggage now and make sure it is travel ready, or you can always invest in some new gear using your card at Bag & Baggage!

Peace of Mind

My favorite thing to do at the holidays is spend rare, unlimited quality time with my family. I’ve learned I can do that best when I also make sure to take a few hours away to myself! So many amazing local fitness studios such as Dallas Yoga Center, Lync Cycling and Body Bar Studios offer discounted class packs on Partners Card that you can cash in over holiday season. This year I am booking some time with girlfriends by purchasing some spa services at Hiatus Spa + Retreat during Partners Card for something more covetable and fun than the typical ornament exchange. 

Ready to shop? You can buy a card online, at stores on the retailers page featured in dark purple with a check or using your credit card at Tom Thumb or Saint Bernard. Because of the savings you’ll rack up on the card, Partners Cards are not tax-deductible. 

All of a sudden, a Partners Card isn’t just an investment in our community but the ticket to a more sane and less expensive holiday season! That’s more than 20 ways to use your Partners Card to get all of your usual drive-you-crazy December errands done, discounted and doing good in the community!

Do you have a place you head to with your card first? Fill us in with a comment!