Gift cards have become a popular choice for birthday gifts due to their flexibility, allowing recipients to pick what they want or need. With so many options available, it can be challenging to choose the right gift card. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the best gift cards for birthdays, covering different interests and budgets. Additionally, we’ll provide tips for maximizing your gift card purchase, ensuring the recipient is satisfied with their gift, and creative presentation ideas.
Popular Gift Card Options for Different Interests
Fashion-Forward: Gift cards to popular clothing and accessory stores such as Shein, Nordstrom, Forever 21, or H&M.
Foodie: Gift cards to popular restaurants or food delivery services such as Grubhub, DoorDash, or Uber Eats.
Tech Enthusiast: Gift cards to popular technology stores like Best Buy, Apple, or Amazon.
Gaming Enthusiast: Gift Cards to popular gaming platforms and games like Playstation, Xbox, Nintendo, Fortnite, GTA 5 or Cosmetics.
Beauty Enthusiast: Gift cards to popular beauty stores such as Sephora, Ulta, or MAC.
Gift Cards for Different Budgets
Tight Budget: Gift cards to popular fast food chains such as McDonald’s, Subway, or Starbucks.
Moderate Budget: Gift cards to popular department stores like Target, Walmart, or Macy’s.
Larger Budget: Gift cards to popular luxury brands such as Louis Vuitton, Gucci, or Prada.
Maximizing Your Gift Card Purchase
- Check the expiration date and any fees associated with the gift card.
- Consider purchasing a gift card with a higher value than the intended purchase to provide the recipient with more flexibility.
- Consider purchasing a physical gift card for the recipient to keep as a memento.
Ensuring the Recipient is Happy with their Gift
- Ask the recipient for their preferences and interests before purchasing a gift card.
- Provide the gift card in a thoughtful manner, such as writing a personal note or including it in a birthday card.
- Follow up with the recipient after their birthday to ensure they had a pleasant experience with the gift card.
Physical vs Digital Gift Cards
Physical gift cards are traditional and typically made of plastic, while digital gift cards are delivered electronically and can be purchased and delivered instantly. Both types have their own advantages and disadvantages, and the choice between them depends on the recipient’s preferences.
Finding the Best Deals on Gift Cards
Gift card discounts and promotions are available year-round, but it can be challenging to keep track of them. To stay informed, sign up for the mailing lists of your favorite retailers and restaurants. You can also check online marketplaces such as Gift Card Granny, Raise, and Cardpool, which specialize in buying and selling gift cards at a discount. Additionally, websites like RetailMeNot and Coupons.com can provide the latest coupons, deals, and promo codes for different retailers.
Benefits of Giving Gift Cards as a Gift
Gift cards are a great option for birthdays due to their flexibility, convenience, and ease of use. They also eliminate the stress of choosing the perfect gift and avoid the risk of giving something the recipient may not like or need. Additionally, gift cards are a great way to support small businesses.
Redeeming and using multiple gift cards
Multiple gift cards can be used to make a purchase by either redeeming them all at once or using them in combination with other payment methods. To redeem multiple gift cards, present them to the cashier or enter the card numbers online during checkout. If the total value of the gift cards is less than the purchase amount, use another payment method such as a credit card to make up the difference.
Checking the balance on a gift card
To check the balance on a gift card, simply call the customer service number on the back of the card or visit the retailer’s website. Some retailers also have a balance checker feature on their app, so you can check the balance on your gift card from your smartphone.
Impact of Covid-19 on gift card usage
Due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, the use of gift cards has increased, as many people are opting for contactless and convenient payment options. Gift cards are an ideal choice for those who want to support local businesses and avoid physical shopping trips. Additionally, with many people working from home and spending more time online, digital gift cards have become more popular as they can be purchased and delivered instantly.
Conclusion
Gift cards are a convenient and thoughtful option for birthdays, allowing recipients to choose what they want or need. With so many options available, it can be overwhelming to choose the right gift card. Gift cards are a great way to show appreciation and support for those you care about. It is important to consider the recipient’s interests and preferences, choose a card with a good balance and no fees, and present the gift card in a thoughtful way.
