7 Creative Ways To Give A Gift Card

Gift cards don't have to feel impersonal with these creative ways to give a gift card.

Gift cards give the recipient the freedom to get what they really want, and there are plenty of creative ways to give a gift card that will make it a gift worthy of any special occasion. In this post, you’ll find a bunch of fun ways to give a gift card or give several cards at a time — feel free to steal these ideas for last-minute gifts, or use them as inspiration for your own unique gift card presentation ideas!

While I don’t personally agree with this assessment, some folks are critical of the idea of gift cards as gifts, arguing that they’re “impersonal,” not particularly thoughtful, or aren’t very fun to give. 

I think gift cards can make an excellent gift, and would even argue that they’re among the best options for recipients who are hard to shop for or who have specific tastes or interests. And the creative gift card presentation ideas below are all great ways to make someone’s gift a little more special!

7 Creative Ways To Give Gift Cards

A cute way to give movie gift cards -- attach them to a package of candy to eat while they watch the movie.

1. Movie Theater Gift Card

Movie theater gift cards make great gifts for movie buffs, couples who could use a date night, students, and pretty much everyone else! Most theater chains sell their own gift cards at box offices and online, and many can be used to purchase both movie tickets and concessions.

If you don’t know which theater the recipient usually goes to, consider giving them a Fandango gift card instead of a theater-specific one. These cards can be used to purchase movie tickets at thousands of theaters nationwide.

How To Gift It: Tuck the gift card into a cute container filled with classic movie treats, like popcorn, Red Vines, Junior Mints, etc.

Creative Ways To Give a hotel Gift Card -- put it in a toiletry bag.

2. Hotel Gift Card

What better gift for your favorite world traveler (or someone who could use a vacation) than a hotel gift card? Most hotel chains offer gift cards that can be used at any of their locations, or you could pick up an Airbnb gift card the recipient can put toward any of their future stays.

How To Gift It: Wrap the card in travel-themed wrapping paper or tissue paper, or zip it into a cute toiletry bag. You could even give the card with a set of packing cubes to make your gift even more practical.

Give coffee shop gift cards with a cute reusable coffee cup.

3. Coffee Shop Gift Card

Who doesn’t love a warm drink in the wintertime? A coffee shop gift card makes a useful gift for anyone, especially those who enjoy treating themselves to a cozy latte or hot chocolate. Since Starbucks has locations just about everywhere, you can be sure a Starbucks gift card won’t be difficult to use (though a Krispy Kreme gift card is a nice two-for-one — coffee and donuts!)

How To Gift It: Slide the gift card into a sleeve and tuck it inside a reusable travel mug that will keep their drink warm for hours and eliminate waste.

Cute way to give a bookstore gift card -- package it with bookmarks, a notebook, and markers.

4. Bookstore Gift Card

Any bookworm would appreciate a gift card to their favorite local bookstore or Barnes & Noble! It gives them the freedom to get a book they’ve been dying to read, and you won’t have to spend hours trying to pick out the perfect book.

How To Gift It: Include the gift card with a notebook, a free printable DIY bookmark, and some pens or highlighters. (Speaking of bookmarks, these woodland animal bookmarks from It’s Always Autumn are an adorable option as well!)

Put beauty box gift cards in a small cosmetic bag.

5. Beauty Box Gift Card

If you have daughters, nieces, or girlfriends who are into makeup or skincare, choosing the right gift card can save you a lot of time and mental anguish! Instead of trying to pick out specific products, give them a Sephora, Ulta, or Birch Box gift card instead.

Birch Box is a monthly beauty subscription box service that delivers samples of skin, hair, and beauty products, which are personalized to suit the recipient’s preferences. Sephora and Ulta are beauty chain stores with locations nationwide, so there’s sure to be one near your intended recipient.

How To Gift It: Place the gift card inside a zippered makeup pouch she can use to carry her favorite products.

Attach craft store gift cards to a great pair of scissors.

6. Craft Store Gift Card

It’s impossible to know exactly what your crafty friends or family members may need for any given project. Instead, buy a gift card to Hobby Lobby, JOANN or Michaels so that your favorite crafter can stock up on their preferred yarn, scrapbook paper, or fabric.

How To Gift It: Wrap the card up with versatile crafting gear, like a pair of sharp scissors or a mini hot glue gun.

Outdoor store gift cards are perfect to gift with a small tool or a mini emergency kit.

7. Outdoor Recreation Store Gift Card

If you’ve been looking for a gift for someone who loves camping, fishing, hunting, or other outdoor activities, give them a gift card to their favorite outdoor retailer, like Sportsman’s Warehouse, Bass Pro Shops, Cabela’s or REI. The freedom to choose whether to use it on small items or a more expensive purchase is one of the most wonderful gifts of all!

How To Gift It: Include the gift card with one or two inexpensive outdoor tools, like a flashlight, compass, map, or multitool. You could also include it in a DIY Mini Emergency Kit!

More Fun Gift Card Presentation Ideas

Some basic crafting and/or sewing skills is all it takes to make these cute ways to give gift cards.

Use paper and scissors to make these adorable monster gift card holders.

1. Monster Gift Card Holder

For the kids (or kids at heart) on your list, why not make some of these cute monster gift card holders from Polka Dot Chair? All you need for this fun gift card presentation is cardstock, scissors, a paper punch, googly eyes, and some double-sided tape. These could easily be tucked into a stocking or book, too.

You can whip up a mini stocking in no time and it's a cute way to give a gift card.

2. Mini Stocking

Who wouldn’t enjoy getting a gift card in a mini stocking? They look super fast and easy to sew, and you’d be able to use any scraps of fabric or fat quarters you have hanging around. Bev at Flamingo Toes gives patterns and directions for two sizes: one for gift cards, and one for cash. 

Bust your scrap stash by making these lovely fabric gift card holders that can be used as mini wallets.

3. Fabric Gift Card Holder

These fabric gift card holders from Apple Green Cottage have the same advantages as the mini stockings — quick to stitch up, and a great use of scrap fabric. The recipient could also reuse it as a mini wallet!

Minimalist wallets made from faux leather are ideal for guys and they whip up in no time with minimal sewing skills.

4. Minimalist Card Holder Wallet

Not much of a seamstress? Even the most basic sewing skills are all you need to make a few of these great DIY card holder wallets, also from Apple Green Cottage. Use faux leather, vinyl, faux suede — any fabric that won’t fray. These wallets are easy, good-looking, and very useful! 

A gift in a jar full of small treats is an ideal way to give a gift card.

5. Gift Card In A Mason Jar

Much like my beloved gifts in a jar, the only limit to how you can package a gift card in a mason jar is your imagination! In addition to the card, you could fill the mason jar with:

  • Small candies (i.e. M&M’s)
  • Battery powered tea light or string lights
  • Quarters (for laundry, toll roads, etc.)
  • Any small, personal touch that will make that gift card special!

6. Gift Card Tree Ornament

Stitch up a simple tree ornament with green felt and decorate it with ribbon, sequins, buttons, or whatever you have. For the back, use two layers and cut one short to form a pocket when you stitch the front and back together. Put the gift card in the pocket, and don’t forget to add a ribbon or string to the top so the recipient can hang it on their tree!

Make a bouquet of paper flowers and put a variety of gift cards among them for a clever way to give a bunch of gift cards.

Ideas For Gifting Multiple Gift Cards

Giving multiple gift cards to someone on your list? Here’s a few cute ideas for how to present them:

  • Buy or make a festive wreath and attach gift cards with wire or ribbon. 
  • Stretch wire, string, or chicken wire across a framed chalkboard or message board, then use small clothespins or clips to hang the gift cards from the wire.
  • Buy or make a bouquet of flowers and insert card holders into it to turn it into a gift card bouquet! A poinsettia would be perfect for a Christmas gift (or any potted plant, if the recipient is a plant lover!)
  • If you and the gift recipient have a playful relationship, make them work for those gift cards! Package each card in its own wrapped box, then put all the boxes in a bag (or larger box). It’ll take them a while to unwrap all the cards, but you’ll both get a good laugh out of it.
Save money on gift cards at Costco, and watch for deals at your favorite stores and restaurants around the holidays.

BONUS: Buy Gift Cards In Bulk To Save Money

If you’re a Costco member, keep an eye out for deals on bulk gift card sets! They often offer deals like $100 in gift cards (typically in packs of four $25 cards or five $20 cards) for just $80! Closer to the holidays, many small businesses also offer discounted gift cards or freebies with purchase (such as a free $10 gift card with the purchase of a $50 gift card).

What are your favorite ways to give gift cards?

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Jill Nystul (aka Jillee)

Jill Nystul is an accomplished writer and author who founded the blog One Good Thing by Jillee in 2011. With over 30 years of experience in homemaking, she has become a trusted resource for contemporary homemakers by offering practical solutions to everyday household challenges.I share creative homemaking and lifestyle solutions that make your life easier and more enjoyable!

About Jillee

Jill Nystul

Jill’s 30 years of homemaking experience, make her the trusted source for practical household solutions.

About Jillee

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5 Comments

  1. Great ideas! Do you have any for restaurant/fast food gift cards?

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  2. I used a sour dough bread loaf and add the gift card underneath (with tape to package, for the cook! It is as a gift card to his favorite health grocery store! Boy did it look “funny” to unwrap a loaf of bread!

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  3. These suggestions on how to add to a gift card were excellent. I especially like the Barnes and Noble as well as the movie gift card.

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  4. I love this! So much more clever and personal than the card by itself. I agree, cards do show thought.

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    • Thank You, for the ideas I love giving gift cards and now making a bit personal will be fun

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