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
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.
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.
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.
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!)
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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!
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!
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.
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?
Great ideas! Do you have any for restaurant/fast food gift cards?
Please log in or create a free account to comment.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!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.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.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I love this! So much more clever and personal than the card by itself. I agree, cards do show thought.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Thank You, for the ideas I love giving gift cards and now making a bit personal will be fun
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