The Best Gift Cards to Give Everyone on Your List
We all have that one friend who's impossible to shop for — especially during the holidays. But whenever we find ourselves unsure of what to gift a picky recipient, we turn to a tried-and-true product: a gift card. While gift cards might not be regarded as the sexiest or most thoughtful of gifts, oftentimes they are the most reliable — especially if you're looking for a winning gift that anyone can use, from a colleague to a random recipient in your work gift exchange and beyond.
Thanks to the Internet, it's also easier than ever to purchase gift cards online, so you don't even have to go in store to pick them up; there's also the option to have them emailed directly to your friend or loved one. Plus, with so many amazing online retailers, you have a wide variety of store options right at your fingertips (or at least on your screen).
What Are the Best Places to Get Gift Cards?
Most retailers — like Nordstrom or Sephora — all sell gift cards directly through their own websites, but shoppers can also buy gift cards from many of these brands through other e-commerce sellers like Amazon (and oftentimes at a better rate).
To help direct you to the best brands for your gift-card shopping, we rounded up the best gift cards to give this season, with options that come from some of today's top retailers — and others that can be delivered straight to your recipient's doorstep (or inbox) in no time. From the best gift cards for women to cool gift certificates, beauty gift cards, and the best e-gift cards, keep reading to shop our guide.
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Best Gift Card to Give the Binge-Watcher
Netflix eGift Card ($15)
While we all love having access to a full library of our favorite TV shows and films, paying for multiple streaming subscriptions can prove to be pretty costly. Fortunately, with this Netflix gift card, you can cover their subscription to one of the world's most popular streaming services and help them take their binge-watching habits to new heights.
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Best Gift Card to Give the Streamer
Twitch eGift Cards ($15)
Know a teenager whose obsessed with all things Twitch? With this unique gift card, they can have the credit applied directly to their Twitch account, making it easy for them to support their favorite content creators.
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Best Gift Card to Give the Tech-Obsessed
Best Buy eGift Card ($15–$500)
Whether they're an avid gamer, a tech-obsessive looking to stock up on the latest and greatest devices, or simply a student in need of a little extra money to help them get all of their school essentials together (like a laptop, monitor, etc.), they'll be able to shop it all and more with this Best Buy gift card.
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Best Gift Card to Give Anyone on Your List
Amazon.com Gift Card ($25–$500)
Of all the gifts you could give this holiday season, we'd argue that an Amazon gift card is probably one of the best — especially if you're unsure of what to get someone. Amazon is home to seemingly every product imaginable, with items that span a range of categories like home, beauty, fashion, tech, and more.
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Best Gift Card to Give the Fashion-Lover
Nordstrom Gift Card ($25–$300)
In search of a practical gift for the fashion-lover in your life? Nordstrom is one of our favorite destinations for shopping out trendy style essentials and wardrobe staples. And with an Nordstrom e-gift card to the popular retailer, they can stock up on pieces for the new season or even scoop up a designer style or two.
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Best Gift Card to Give the Beauty-Lover
Sephora Gift Card ($25–$250)
Beauty-lovers, this one is just for you! Sephora is the premier spot for stocking up on everything from new skin-care releases to celebrity beauty lines and even trendy makeup products made famous by TikTok. With a Sephora gift card, they can perfect their next beauty haul with ease and seriously upgrade their skin-care cabinet in the process.
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Best Gift Card to Give the Traveler
Airbnb eGift Card ($25–$1,000)
What better way to show someone just how much you care than with a gift that'll help them travel the world — or at least book their next getaway? An Airbnb gift card can be uploaded directly into their personal account, and the available funds can then be directed into any reservations or purchases for activities. It's the ultimate gift for the traveler in your life.
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Best Gift Card to Give the Coffee-Lover
Starbucks Gift Card ($25–$50)
If they need to have a cup of coffee every day to function or simply can't get enough of Starbucks's seasonal drink menu, then they'll be elated to see this coffee gift card in their stocking. Plus, they can even transfer the balance directly into their app or combine it with other gift cards through Starbucks's mobile platform for easier ordering.
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Best Gift Card to Give the Food-Lover
DoorDash Gift Card ($25-$200)
Treat the foodie in your life to a DoorDash gift card so that they can have their favorite meals delivered straight to their door. DoorDash works with a number of different local restaurants and eateries, so they'll have a wide variety of options to choose from.
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Best Practical Gift Card to Give
Instacart eGift Card ($25–$200)
If you're looking to get them something more practical, go for an Instacart gift card. With Instacart, they can have their groceries delivered right to their door each week, rather than having to set aside time to shop at their local store. They'll appreciate having more free time to hang with loved ones or even just relax at home.
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Best Thoughtful Gift Card to Give
Multi-Brand Choice Self-Care Gift Card ($25–$50)
This self-care gift card would make the ultimate stocking stuffer. With this unique product, they can use the gift card like usual at any of the featured chains, including: Bath & Body Works, Jamba Juice, Panera, and Adidas, among others.
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Best Gift Card to Give the Music-Lover
Spotify Premium 3-Month Subscription ($30)
These days, paying for a monthly subscription can add up pretty quick — especially when trying to balance all of your other bills to streaming services. If they're constantly listening to music and making new playlists, they'll get a kick out of having a premium subscription to Spotify — which you can purchase and pay for via this gift card.
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Best Travel Gift Card to Give
Going Gift Card ($37, originally $49)
The frequent jet setter in your life will really appreciate receiving this gift card! Going is hailed as one of the best travel membership services on the market, as it monitors flight prices and notifies members of great deals from their local airports. And with this gift card — which is available in six price options — users have access to certain Going memberships, ranging from a 1-year membership to a 5-year elite membership.
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Best Gift Card to Give the Apple-Lover
Apple Gift Card ($50)
Apple devices are notoriously expensive, but with this gift card, they'll be able to purchase the gadget they've been coveting in full or at a fraction of its usual cost. From Apple AirPods to Macbook computers and even Apple AirTags, they'll have no problem spending this gift card.
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Best Unique Gift Card to Give
Uber Gift Card ($50–$100)
Driving can be such a hassle in our day-to-day lives, but with an Uber gift card, you can help eliminate that stressor from their week — or simply inspire them to enjoy a night out with a couple of friends and some good drinks to accompany.
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Best Gift Card to Give the Person Who Has Everything
Mastercard Gift Card ($55)
For the person who has everything, get them this gift card from Mastercard that they can use for virtually any purpose. The card has to be activated online — and while some restrictions apply — they'll still be able to use the cash credit to just about any online purchase, regardless of the retailer.
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Kyley Warren (she/her) is an award-winning writer, editor, and affiliate strategist with more than four years of experience in the publishing space. She currently works as an assistant editor on PS Shopping and is an expert on all things related to shopping and fashion. She previously worked with Entertainment Tonight as a style commerce writer, and her byline has appeared in publications globally.