Remember wine ninjas? It was like the height of the pandemic when people were running around, sneakily dropping off bottles of wine at their friend's house to spread a little joy. (What a time!) 

Well, this is like wine ninjas BUT make it gift cards!

(^us trying to drop off wine and now gift cards on other Okotokians decks without them seeing us.)

The 'What's for Dinner - Okotoks Gift Card Exchange' is this super cool, pay it forward, initiative that some local gals started to help spread joy AND do their part to support local.

We caught up with Karly Hribnak, one of the organizers of the event, and she let us know how it all started:

With a lot of restaurants in town, Karly wants people to know that they are specifically focusing on showing the smaller businesses love through their exchange!

They've already done around 74 gift cards in the town of Okotoks which translates to a total of $1,850 towards local restaurants! (HOW UNREAL!) 

(How many times have you said "oh we'll try that place...next time" and then you never do! This is the perfect way to FINALLY try that place!) 

So if you're interested in participating in this super fun gift exchange there are a few things you have to do:

1. Go to their Facebook page - What's For Dinner Okotoks? GC Exchange.

2. Message Facebook page and let them know if you want to be a gifter or giftee...OR BOTH! 

3. If you're a giftee: are you gifting one GC or multiple? (Many have gifted multiple which has been a pleasant surprise for Karly and the crew 😊)

4. They'll give you a name and an address, you'll grab a gift card and then drop it off within the next 2 weeks to surprise someone awesome with a GC to a lovely local spot! 

Now, the other side of this is the whole paying it forward factor, a lot of the people within this group are expecting a GC in return as they've contributed one themselves BUT as many have donated multiple gift cards (and expect nothing in return) the group is able to pass some forward to people that may just need a little pick me up!

Fun right? So get involved! Give a gift card! Get a gift card! Spread some joy! Support local! And help these lovely ladies hit their goal of 100 gift cards given!

~ShayneÂ