This story is a part of Holiday Gift Guide 2021, our checklist of concepts, by subject, by recipient and by worth, that can assist you uncover the proper present.
Gift playing cards get a nasty rap. While some folks consider them as an uncreative, last-minute present, to me, present playing cards are about freedom. That’s the recipient’s freedom to pick the merchandise that they need, not what you suppose they could like, particularly in the event you’re not fully tuned in to their type or tastes. A present card additionally saves the embarrassment and trouble of getting to return or trade an merchandise. The solely factor you could do because the present giver is know what sort of model or shops your giftee likes — the remaining is simple.
This yr, present playing cards may serve one other objective: pace. With the worldwide chip scarcity nonetheless a byproduct of the continuing COVID-19 pandemic, delivery delays on all the pieces from electronics to toys and furnishings means you run the danger of a tangible present getting caught within the mail or massively delayed. The US Postal Service additionally faces vacation delays.
Not all present playing cards are created equal. We deal with the very best of the very best.
Logan Moy/CNET
If you are on a good finances, the versatile scale of a present card means you do not have to spend some huge cash for it to be helpful. We’ll take you thru the very best choices, but when you do not have it already, one present card I recommend you look into for the entire household is a Disney Plus subscription — it has nearly all the pieces you grew up with and the most recent Disney unique content material together with The Mandalorian. (If you want extra concepts, additionally take a look at our different present guides that match a greater diversity of tastes.)
Let’s dive headfirst into present card concepts for everybody in your vacation checklist!
Old Navy, Gap, Banana Republic and Athleta
There are numerous offers obtainable on present playing cards proper now, together with:
Yankee Candle ($50 worth for $40 with code CANDLE)Cold Stone Creamery ($25 worth for $20 with code COLDSTONE)Apple ($100 worth for $90 with code APPLEDIGITAL)
And present playing cards with a number of choices, reminiscent of:
Old Navy, Gap, Banana Republic or Athleta ($50 worth for $40 with code OPTIONS)
Walmart
From toys and tech to garments and kitchenware, there’s one thing for almost anybody to get enthusiastic about obtainable from Walmart. Card quantities vary from $5 all the way in which as much as $500, with a number of nice festive designs to select from.
Disney/Screenshot by Bonnie Burton/CNET
This present card is particularly for the oldsters who need entry to the Disney universe: Disney classics, The Simpsons, Star Wars, Marvel and extra. Disney Plus prices $8 a month or $80 for the yr. Disney has nearly all the pieces for the entire household, so it is an important year-round present. And in the event you’re searching for one thing a bit extra academic, you may atone for National Geographic as properly.
Read our Disney Plus overview.
B&H
If you have received a pictures buff in your life, you in all probability know that they are at all times on the hunt for brand spanking new gear. Unfortunately it isn’t at all times simple to navigate the labyrinth of substances compatibility, and asking instantly might give away your present concept. Instead, give them a B&H present card to allow them to get precisely what they want. Amounts vary from $20 all the way in which as much as $1,000.
Williams-Sonoma
A present card to Williams Sonoma is an ideal present for the gourmand in your life. From chef’s knives and home equipment to dinnerware and cutlery, it has an important choice of a few of the nicest kitchen gear in the marketplace. You can purchase a present card for any quantity between $25 and $500.
Williams Sonoma additionally affords digital occasions like cooking and baking lessons. The expertise makes for a very nice, distinctive present, and you’ll give a voucher value both $25, $50, $75 or $100.
REI/Screenshot by CNET
It may be within the midst of one other chilly winter in the meanwhile, however sunny skies and open trails are proper across the nook. An REI present card is a superb present for the out of doors fanatic in your life, as they’ll gear up proper now, or wait till they’re nearer to getting again on the highway to see what new tools they want. You can seize a present card in an quantity type $10 to $1,000
Fenty Beauty
Fenty Beauty and Fenty Skin are unbelievable manufacturers with midrange costs. There are a number of the explanation why these Rihanna-led manufacturers are so standard — they work; and each the make-up and skincare heart all pores and skin varieties and tones. This present card begins at $25, however when you’ve got a little bit more cash to splurge, there are additionally present card choices all the way in which as much as $200.
Apple
There are numerous Apple merchandise that make nice items, like the brand new iPad, iPad Mini or the Apple Watch. But it is simpler to offer an Apple present card so somebody can select a present for themselves, probably an adjunct for tech they have already got. You can get numerous cool designs on this Apple present card in quantities starting from $25 to $100.
Amazon is the one-stop store for absolutely anything on-line — from toys to tech to designer clothes, you will get all of it. Amazon’s present playing cards can be found in quantities from $1 to $2,000. You could make your present card snazzy by getting it animated or put your picture or video on it. If that is not your type, commonplace present card layouts can be found as properly.
Amazon
The Cheesecake Factory has so many menu gadgets, it will make your head spin. That’s excellent news for a household of choosy eaters or these with all kinds of tastes. And did we point out the enduring cheesecakes, from tart Key lime to ooey-gooey caramel? Starting at $25 you will get a superbly designed card. Gifts high out at $250. If for nothing else, use this present card to get your self a slice of cheesecake for the vacations — or a complete pie. We will not inform.
Netflix
Netflix is without doubt one of the juggernauts of streaming content material, with plans from $9 to $18 {dollars} a month. If you have got a normal Netflix account, upgrading to the HD streaming possibility could possibly be an important present. Or, if your loved ones at present shares an account, the present of a separate account for relations might come as a welcome present. Netflix present playing cards are available in increments of $25, or you may enter your individual quantity. The design of Netflix present playing cards is fairly easy — it is simply its emblem, however the card does not should be flashy when the content material is the main focus.
Amazon
This present card is for the entire players on the market who simply want a little bit cash to assist pay for costly video games. Getting a present card like that is the distinction between buying one recreation and probably two or extra. You can get PlayStation Plus present playing cards for on-line multiplayer and month-to-month video games based mostly on how lengthy you wish to pay for the membership (one, three or 12 months) or just get a PlayStation retailer card for $10 all the way in which as much as $100.
Microsoft
A brand new online game is at all times an important present, however with a number of nice digital gross sales occurring on a regular basis, a present card goes to offer you extra bang to your buck than shopping for a bodily copy. You should purchase a present card for the Microsoft retailer in an quantity of $1 to $100, which can be utilized in direction of Xbox video games, add-ons and DLC, in addition to films and exhibits and different digital content material.
Amazon
There’s nothing like getting a present card for private care merchandise. Typically, this works greatest for individuals who already know what sort of styling merchandise, hand lotion or make-up they like, so the buying could be completed all on-line. However, this present card additionally works for folk who wish to go in retailer and go searching for reductions and designer make-up as properly. You can purchase the Ulta present card for $25, $50, $100 or $250 on the web site — or you may identify your individual quantity.
Target
Target is a treasure trove of house items and a lot extra. There’s a motive why folks joke that they stroll into Target with an inventory and go away with greater than they anticipated. This retailer is simply that good at attractive folks to purchase. This present card begins at $5, however you may add as much as $500 complete, for instance, in the event you’re giving a present for a complete household.
Amazon
What do you get for the gamer in your house who’s at all times on Twitch? One you are able to do is present them with this present card starting from $15 to $200, they usually’ll have the ability to redeem it for Bits or subs to assist a streamer of their selection. It additionally unlocks particular advantages to subscribers as properly.
Best Buy
If you are purchasing for somebody who likes tech, Best Buy is a stable wager. Computers, telephones, TVs, small home equipment and extra — it is received all of it. There are not any expiration dates or charges, and it affords each bodily and digital playing cards starting from $15 to $500. The retailer additionally affords a number of choices for its present playing cards, so you will get one which fits the recipient.
Uber
The Uber present card could be redeemed both in Uber, for rides, or Uber Eats, for meals supply. It could be excellent for folk in city locales or for family and friends that often depend on public transportation. Plus, the flexibleness of with the ability to have meals delivered to their house may also be standard with anybody who needs one final activity on their plate. The quantity obtainable ranges from $25 to $200.
Grubhub
Give the present of a heat meal delivered proper to their door. An ideal card for people who find themselves busy and do not at all times have time to prepare dinner, or those that discover it robust to get out proper now. Gift playing cards are available in 5 costs, starting from $25 to $500, they usually’re nice due to the flexibleness Grubhub gives. Not solely are you giving them an evening off from cooking, however you are additionally not locking them into one particular possibility. They can seize no matter they’re within the temper for, which is the very best type of present.
GameStop
Obviously GameStop goes to enchantment extra to these folks in your checklist who love gaming, however hear us out — not solely does GameStop have numerous nice offers on video games, however there are numerous preowned choices obtainable, which frequently means extra bang to your buck. It additionally sells issues like collectables, past simply video video games, consoles and controllers. Gift playing cards could be set between $5 and $500.
Airbnb
Give the present of journey with an Airbnb card. Cards are solely obtainable digitally, however since you may apply the funds towards any reserving, it should not be an issue. With Airbnb, the giftee can choose their very own vacation spot, facilities and size of keep. The card does not ever expire, however it should be linked to their account inside 90 days of buy, so be sure to allow them to know that once you give it to them. Card quantities run from $25 to $2,000 once you buy instantly from Airbnb.
Ticketmaster
Whether you are shopping for for somebody who loves comedy, theater, music festivals or sporting occasions, Ticketmaster has one thing for everybody. In the age of Marie Kondo, lots of people benefit from the concept of giving reminiscences as a substitute of muddle, however it will possibly typically be laborious to shock somebody if you do not know their tastes or their availability. With the Ticketmaster present card they’ve much more selection about what they wish to do, which could make the present much more thrilling for them. Plus, with a lot uncertainty proper now, it’d make sense to attend earlier than you e-book something particular. Cards are available in both digital or bodily type and vary from $25 to $500.
Sur la desk
Sur la desk can serve up all of your kitchen wants. There is an array of cookware and bakeware obtainable, in addition to small kitchen home equipment. There are additionally cooking lessons obtainable by way of them, so as to grow to be your individual grasp chef.
Massage Envy
Give your self or somebody you like the present of pampering and deep rest. And with {couples}’ therapeutic massage packages, you are able to do each.
MasterClass
Give a present that may assist the one you love comply with their passions and curiosities, all whereas studying from the world’s greatest.
This article was first printed final yr. It has been up to date with the most recent present playing cards and offers.
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