Avoid that awkward regifting situation and get them a gift card that they can redeem for something they’ll actually want
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There’s enough pressure shopping for gifts for your favorite and hardest-to-shop-for people. Why take a wild guess and risk a re-gifting situation (or worse, a post-gifting return and exchange trip), when you can make it easy on both of you by getting them something they’ll actually use? Yes, we’re talking about gift cards, but it doesn’t have to be as impersonal as it sounds.
How to Choose the Best Gift Cards
You could stock up on generic restaurant gift cards and call it a day, but that might not go well for those with picky palates (read: foodies) or people who live in areas where said eatery isn’t available. Gift certificates to retailers with online and brick-and-mortar shopping is an easy way to please the most particular pals on your list.
Related: These Digital Holiday Gifts Can Be Ordered Online (and Delivered Instantly)
The best gift cards don’t have to be wrapped or even delivered in person. All of our picks on this list offer e-gift cards that can be purchased, sent, and redeemed online. These online gift cards are great if you don’t feel like braving the crowds at the mall or if you have a recipient who may not be a store-bought-gift-type. A bonus: e-gift cards make for a great last-minute gift too.
What Are the Best Gifts Cards Online?
Here, we’ve rounded up ideas for the best online gift cards to buy for a range of recipients, from foodies and fitness fanatics to friends and family who are thirsty for knowledge (and wine).
One4all Ultimate eGift
Start your gift card search online at the appropriately named, GiftCards.com, where you can purchase everything from VISA gift cards, to cards for restaurants, attractions and more. We like this “One4all” gift card, which can be loaded with any amount from $25 to $100 and is redeemable at hundreds of stores in person or online. See the full selection here.
BEST FOR MUSIC FANS
StubHub Gift Card
Experiential gifts are a great option, but there’s still risk involved — they might be out of town the day you got them concert tickets, or maybe they already bought tickets to the event you had in mind. A StubHub gift card takes out the guesswork, letting them buy concert, sports, or theater tickets.
BEST FOR SPIRITS FANS
Reserve Bar Gift Card
Get them a nice bottle of wine or some limited-edition booze with a gift card to Reserve Bar. The site offers everything from beers and wine, to fine spirits and liquors, with gift sets and exclusive collections too. Gift cards are offered in denominations from $25 and are delivered instantly over email. Your recipient can choose what they want and then schedule their alcohol to be dropped off at their home or office.
BEST FOR FASHION LOVERS
Saks Fifth Avenue Gift Card
The Saks Fifth Avenue flagship store in New York is alive with festivity this time of year, but you don’t have to be in Manhattan to shop from the iconic department store. This year, send them a Saks Fifth Avenue gift card, which lets your recipient choose from the store’s selection of luxury apparel, accessories, footwear, beauty products and home decor. You can choose from various gift card designs and denominations here.
FreshDirect Grocery Card
Give someone the gift of home cooking this season with a gift card to FreshDirect. A digital card gets them access to over 15,000 fresh foods and pantry items that they can order all at their fingertips. They also offer same-day Express Delivery (available in certain zip codes), so your giftee can whip up a full meal in just a few minutes to put on the table. FreshDirect gift cards, delivered electronically, are the easiest way to buy a friend, coworker, or loved one dinner — and breakfast, lunch, and snacks, too.
BEST FOR FOODIES
Goldbelly
Foodies and travel fans alike will love a gift card from Gold Belly, which delivers food and merch from hundreds of restaurants, bakeries, and celebrity chefs from across the country. You can send a one-time gift card with denominations of your choice, or sign your recipient up for a monthly subscription ($80) which gets them a delivery of top eats and special merch each month. Everything ships fresh or frozen in secure, food-safe packaging and is delivered straight to their door.
Amazon Gift Card
One of the most versatile gift cards available online, an Amazon gift card lets you purchase everything from music downloads to electronics, home goods, food, and more. Send a gift card by email, and your recipient can redeem it instantly on Amazon. Choose from more than a dozen designs for every occasion, from festive celebrations to a birthday or “just because.” You can also order a physical gift card that will be delivered to your recipient by mail.
Doordash Gift Card
The great thing about a gift card from DoorDash is that your recipient can use it to get everything from food to drinks to desserts straight to their door. You don’t need to use your DoorDash account to order and send a gift card either, if you prefer to keep your information private. Just head over to DoorDash.com to select your gift card design and denomination ($25-$200), and enter your recipient’s email address and the day and time you want the card delivered. You can also choose to have the gift card sent in the mail.
READER FAVORITE
Target Gift Card
You can’t go wrong with a gift card from Target. The mass retailer has something for everyone, whether they just need to restock pantry essentials, want to pick up a new piece of furniture, or need a new laptop from the tech department. Anyone who likes to go to Target “just because” will appreciate this gift card.
Shopbop Gift Card
For the stylish, designer-loving people on your list, a Shopbop gift card is one stylish solution, and recipients can shop menswear and womenswear from a roster of cult-favorite luxury labels and streetwear brands. Shopbop also has stylish accessories, home decor items, and luxe bath and beauty products, too. Plus, you can pair your Amazon Prime account to Shopbop to take advantage of fast, free shipping on most items on the site.
BEST FOR SPORTS FANS
Nike Gift Card
For the friend who pushes themselves to work out harder and smarter every year or the sneakerhead who’s always ready to stock up on new kicks, a Nike gift card can cover their latest high-performance gear or their AF1 addiction. You can choose digital gift card designs ranging from the classic swoosh to the logo of your recipient’s favorite team.
Masterclass Subscription
If your giftee’s mantra is “knowledge is power,” contribute to their brain matter fund with a one-year, all-access pass to MasterClass. The online learning platform features classes helmed by the who’s who of across a range of industries, meaning subscribers can get schooled in photography by Annie Leibovitz, business strategy by Bob Iger, filmmaking by Martin Scorcese, and science by Neil deGrasse Tyson, among many, many other courses from over 90 celebrities, industry leaders and yes, “masters.”
Nintendo Switch Online Membership
The gamer in your life might appreciate a Nintendo Switch Online membership, which is good for a year and gets subscribers access to over 70 classic Super NES and NES games plus access to online play in compatible games, as well as the ability to back up data to the cloud.
Nordstrom Gift Card
Nordstrom has everything from luxury designer clothing to sneakers and beauty essentials, making it a great gift card to gift across a variety of ages, tastes, and budgets. Nordstrom gift cards are available both physically and digitally.
Wine Insiders Gift Card
Even if you don’t agree on which varietal is superior, you can still send a thoughtful gift to your beloved oenophile with a subscription to Wine Insiders. Values range from $25 to $250, and you can also shop exclusive selections curated by celebrity partners including Martha Stewart and Iron Chef Geoffrey Zakarian — think everything from Mediterranean-made chianti and sauvignon blanc to California classics.
EDITOR’S CHOICE
Bookshop.org Gift Card
Know someone who likes shopping online, but still wants to support local businesses? Bookshop.org has a vast selection of books, with purchases raising money for local, independent bookshops. Whether they’re after an obscure title they can’t find locally or the hot Booktok title that keeps selling out, a Bookshop.org gift card is a great option for the bibliophile.
REI Gift Card
Shopping for the outdoorsy type? REI has hiking and climbing equipment, snow and ski gear, bikes and running shoes, and more. The retailer has easy online shipping and a large retail footprint, so whether your recipient likes shopping online or in person, an REI gift card is a great option.
Atlas Coffee Subscription
If you’re stumped on what to get your favorite third-wave coffee connoisseur (hint: ditch the Starbucks gift card), earn cool points, and get them an Atlas Coffee subscription. Whether they prefer a fruity-meets-chocolate dark roast or single-origin beans, home baristas can personalize their delivery and receive a curation of single-origin coffee from over 50 countries. The service sends a six- or 12-ounce bag of whole or ground beans each month. A three-month subscription is just $60.
Class Pass Gift Card
Shopping for someone looking to start the new year on the right foot? The online wellness booking platform offers an expansive network of boutique fitness studios across the world and allows users to book in-person and virtual classes as well as skin and body treatments.
VinylMePlease Gift Subscription
Give the vinyl collector on your list something to look forward to with a VinylMePlease subscription, a record-of-the-month club that ships exclusive LPs straight to their door. You can gift a three-month, six-month, or 12-month membership, and members can choose the genre they want from there, from classics to new releases alike.
