Let’s talk gift cards — specifically the top gift cards to give this year.
Gift cards make great holiday presents. It’s like giving money without the awkwardness. Chances are, you have friends who prefer something generic like an Amazon gift card and others who want something fancy, like an Uncommon Goods gift card. Whether you’re shopping for a coworker you hardly know or your longtime best friend, I have you covered.
Read on for 33 clever and popular gift card ideas for everyone on your list. You can also jump to the section you want:
Table of contents
Top gift cards for acquaintances
Buying gifts for people you don’t really know is a challenge. You need to get something generic, but too generic can feel, well, impersonal. Gifting a Visa gift card to a coworker, for example, might send the wrong message. Like, you bought the gift as a task you had to complete while running errands. You might as well write a check and stick it into a blank envelope.
You might leave a better impression with a gift card that’s a tiny bit experiential. Here are five options I like.
1. Starbucks
If your giftee hates coffee, he or she can easily sell this card for cash on the usual gift card websites.
Where to buy: Starbucks
2. Treat yourself
The Treat Yourself Gift card has a shopping element to it. Your giftee uses the card to buy egifts for these brands: Cheesecake Factory, Grubhub, Macy’s, Outback Steakhouse, Athleta, and Buffalo Wild Wings.
Where to buy: Giftcards.com
3. Fun and fabulous
The Fun and Fabulous gift card combines dining out with shopping and beauty for a perfect fashionista trifecta. Your giftee can use it for purchases at The Cheesecake Factor, Nordstrom, Victoria’s Secret, Bath & Body Works, Sephora, or Bloomingdale’s.
Where to buy: Giftcards.com
4. One4all
If you’re really not sure what your giftee likes, the One4all Ultimate eGift covers all bases. The cash value can be spent at 100 different stores, ranging from movie tickets at AMC to eyeliner at Ulta Beauty. There are fashion choices, too, including Old Navy and Gap.
Where to buy: Giftcards.com
5. Doordash
Who doesn’t love having dinner delivered? DoorDash is a fun gift that offers choice — as long as your giftee doesn’t live in a rural area with no restaurants.
Where to buy: DoorDash
Top gift cards for best friends
You know what your besties love, but you might want to gift something that’s unexpected. Below you’ll find eight clever gift card ideas for someone special.
1. Goldbelly digital e-gift card
Goldbelly delivers gourmet food from 900+ restaurants in 50 states. Your bestie can order food from Commander’s Palace in New Orleans, PieCaken Bake Shop in New York, or Hattie B’s Hot Chicken in Nashville.
Where to buy: Goldbelly
2. Zeel
Zeel offers in-home massages. Giftees use the card to book private massages on their schedule. You can gift a single massage, couples massage, or set your own dollar amount.
Where to buy: Zeel
3. The Sill digital gift card
The Sill provides in-home plant delivery. Your giftee can shop live plants, dried plants, pet-friendly plants, and more.
Where to buy: The Sill
4. Virgin experience
Virgin Experiences range from adventure activities — like race-car driving or flying school — to memorable tours — like a microbrew tour in Denver. You can gift an experience your bestie will never forget.
Where to buy: Virgin Experiences
5. Golde
Golde is a retailer of superfood-based skincare and supplements. A popular choice is the Turmeric Latte Blend for glowing skin, immunity support, and debloating.
Where to buy: Golde.co
6. Airbnb gift card
A digital gift card from Airbnb helps fund life’s most amazing adventures — from renting a mansion for the night to staying in a castle overseas. This gift is sure to create some incredible memories.
Where to buy: Airbnb
7. Nordstrom
With a Nordstrom gift card, your bestie can shop for her closet, her home, or her bathroom cabinet. You know Nordy carries quality merch and provides great service, so the card is sure to be a hit.
Where to buy: Nordstrom
8. Spotify
Your music-loving friends will appreciate the opportunity to upgrade their Spotify to a premium account, even if the change is only temporary.
Where to buy: Spotify
Most popular gift cards
If you still need more inspiration, here’s a look at the 20 best gift cards according to WalletHub. These are projected to be the most in-demand gift cards of the year.
1. Visa gift card
A Visa card is among the best gift cards to give thanks to its versatility. Your giftee can shop with any retailer that accepts Visa, either online or in-store.
Where to buy: Get physical cards at the supermarket or digital cards at usa.visa.com
2. Amazon gift card
Amazon gift cards come through in a pinch when you need a last-minute, no-fail present. Most people I know are familiar with how to use an Amazon card, too — from adding it to your account to spending it to checking the gift card balance.
Where to buy: Amazon
3. Target gift card
Target cards make nice offerings, especially when you prefer a physical gift over an e-card. Like an Amazon card, your giftee can use the Target gift card on a wide range of goods, including apparel, home goods, and beauty products.
Where to buy: Target
4. Sephora gift card
Sephora is a delightful shopping experience for anyone who loves beauty products.
Where to buy: Sephora
5. Disney gift card
Disney gift cards can be used on Disney merch, theme park annual passes, food at theme parks, and purchases at Disney Cruise Line.
Where to buy: Disney
6. Starbucks gift card
Starbucks credit might be the most popular coworker holiday gift. If you never see Jane in accounting without caffeine nearby, she’s likely to love some free coffee.
Where to buy: Starbucks
7. Walmart gift card
A Walmart gift card is more versatile than Amazon cash. Giftees can buy groceries, bicycles, personal care products, and nearly anything else in Walmart’s online marketplace.
Where to buy: Walmart
8. Chick-fil-A gift card
Give the gift of fried chicken with a Chick-fil-A gift card!
Where to buy: Chick-fil-A
9. Chipotle gift card
If your friends don’t like Chick-fil-A or Dunkin, they’re probably Chipotle fans.
Where to buy: Chipotle
10. eBay gift card
Know someone who loves to haggle? That’s the right recipient for an eBay gift card. He or she can watch auctions and negotiate some great deals with gift funds.
Where to buy: eBay
11. Mastercard gift card
Just like a Visa gift card, the Mastercard gift is as versatile as they get. Use it at any merchant that accepts Mastercard.
Where to buy: Mastercard
12. Google play gift card
For your Android friends who can’t stop telling you how their phones are better than yours.
Where to buy: Amazon
13. Home Depot gift card
Home Depot gift cards make great gifts for the dads, brothers, and fathers-in-law who enjoy diving into a big home improvement project.
Where to buy: Home Depot
14. Nike gift card
You can email or mail a Nike gift to your sporty friends. The cards can be used in stores and online.
Where to buy: Nike
15. American Express gift card
People love American Express gift cards, especially those who associate the brand with success.
Where to buy: Amexgiftcard
16. Etsy gift card
An Etsy gift card is a good choice for the creative soul in your life who loves truly unique gifts.
Where to buy: Etsy
17. Costco gift card
Did you know you don’t need a Costco membership to shop at Costco? It’s true. All it takes is a Costco gift card, which must be purchased by a member.
If you’re a member, you can gift your friends the gift card — which lets them shop Costco without a membership.
Where to buy: Costco
19. Netflix gift card
Netflix allows existing users to pay their monthly subscription fee with a gift card. That’s why I have this option on my list of practical gifts for cash-poor friends.
Where to buy: Amazon
20. REI gift card
You know the type who’ll love an REI gift card. He or she is out right now climbing a mountain or kayaking across a channel.
Where to buy: REI
Best gift cards
There you have it — 33 gift card ideas for everyone on your list! You might stash a few of the generic options (Visa, Amex) in a drawer, just in case a neighbor drops by to gift you a bottle of wine this holiday season.