Holiday gift cards are the perfect solution for thoughtful and flexible presents.
According to the 2025 Incentive Research Foundation Top Performers Study, gift cards have become a cornerstone of successful non-cash recognition strategies, offering recipients the freedom to choose what they truly value with the added convenience of instant digital delivery.
Below is a list of 24 of the best holiday gift cards, featuring options from general retailers, retailer-specific cards, and specialty gift cards tailored to specific interests.
What are the Top Holiday Gift Card Ideas?
If choosing the perfect gift card feels overwhelming, there’s a seamless solution that takes the guesswork out of gifting—the Toasty Choice Card.
Designed especially for businesses purchasing gift cards in bulk for employee rewards, client appreciation, or holiday incentives, Toasty offers unparalleled flexibility and ease.
Here’s why Toasty is a go-to choice for companies:
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Choice Cards: Recipients can select from thousands of retailers and brands, ensuring the gift perfectly matches their personal preferences.
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Scalability: Whether you’re gifting a small team or an entire organization, Toasty makes it effortless to order and distribute gift cards in large volumes.
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Custom Branding: Businesses can personalize gift cards with their own branding and messages, adding a professional and thoughtful touch to holiday gifting.
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Ease of Use: The digital format allows gift cards to be sent instantly via email, making it ideal for remote teams or clients spread across different locations.
With the Toasty Choice Card, companies don’t need to worry about what gift to send—recipients get to decide what they truly want.
Now, let’s explore the 24 best holiday gift cards, ranging from general retailers to retailer-specific options and specialty cards tailored to various interests.
Top 24 Holiday Gift Cards
General-Purpose Cards
1. Visa Gift Card
If you want to give someone ultimate flexibility, prepaid Visa gift cards are a great option. They can be used at any store that accepts credit or debit cards, making them ideal for a variety of purchases.
2. Mastercard Gift Card
Along with Visa gift cards, Mastercard gift card remains one of the most popular gift cards for its flexibility and its international acceptance.
3. Amazon Gift Card
Amazon is a one-stop shop for everything, making this gift card incredibly versatile. Whether your recipient wants to pick up tech gadgets, home essentials, or something fun like a new book, they’ll find it here.\
One thing to keep in mind when choosing an Amazon gift card as a holiday present is that these cards are country-specific. For example, a U.S. Amazon gift card cannot be redeemed on Amazon UK or other international Amazon sites, so the gift card must be purchased for the recipient’s country to ensure it can be used.
4. Target Gift Card
Target is a popular shopping destination, and a Target gift card is one of the most practical holiday gift cards. From home goods to electronics, clothing, and groceries, your recipient will find something they need or want.
Retailer-Specific Cards
4. Nordstrom Gift Card
For the fashion-forward person in your life, a Nordstrom gift card is one of the best holiday gift cards. It provides access to high-quality clothing, accessories, and beauty products, allowing your recipient to choose something they’ll truly love.
5. Sephora Gift Card
For beauty lovers, a Sephora gift card makes an excellent holiday gift card. From skincare to makeup, your recipient can choose from top beauty brands and exclusive products to make their holiday season sparkle.
6. Ulta Beauty Gift Card
For beauty enthusiasts, an Ulta Beauty gift card is a thoughtful holiday gift card. Whether they’re stocking up on makeup, skincare products, or hair care items, they’ll appreciate the chance to choose from their favorite brands.
7. Williams Sonoma Gift Card
For the home chef or kitchen enthusiast, a Williams Sonoma card is a perfect holiday gift. They can use it to upgrade their kitchen tools, take a cooking class, or indulge in gourmet foods to make their culinary dreams come true.
8. Home Depot Gift Card
For the DIY enthusiast, a Home Depot gift card is one of the best holiday gift cards. Whether they’re planning a home renovation or just need tools for small projects, this card gives them access to everything they need for their next big project.
9. Lowe’s Gift Card
A Lowe’s gift card is ideal for the person who loves home improvement. From tools to home décor, plants to appliances, this gift card will give them the freedom to tackle their next DIY project.
10. Adidas Gift Card
For the fitness or sports enthusiast, an Adidas gift card is a great gift card choice for the holidays. Whether they need new running shoes, workout clothes, or sports gear, this card gives them access to high-quality athletic products from one of the most trusted brands.
Specialty Gift Cards
11. Wine.com Gift Card
For the wine lover in your life, a Wine.com gift card is one of the most thoughtful holiday gift cards available. They can choose from various wines, sorted by type or region, making it easy to find the perfect bottle for their taste.
12. Disney Gift Card
Give the gift of entertainment with a Disney gift card. Whether your recipient is a fan of Disney classics, Star Wars, or Marvel, this gift card provides access to a world of imagination.
As an added bonus, the card can even be used on Disney+!
13. Uber Gift Card
An Uber gift card is a practical gift card for anyone who needs ridesharing or food delivery services. It’s perfect for busy professionals, city dwellers, or anyone who wants to enjoy a meal without the hassle of cooking or driving.
14. REI Gift Card
For the outdoor enthusiast, an REI gift card is one of the best holiday gift cards. Whether they need gear for a camping trip, hiking adventure, or outdoor workout, REI has a wide selection of high-quality products.
15. Xbox Gift Card
For the gamer in your life, an Xbox gift card is a perfect holiday gift card. It can be used for buying games, in-game content, and subscriptions like Xbox Game Pass, giving them access to the best gaming experiences available.
16. The Cheesecake Factory Gift Card
For the foodie in your life, The Cheesecake Factory gift card is a delicious holiday gift card option. Known for its extensive menu, it’s perfect for a casual meal or an indulgent slice of cheesecake.
17. Airbnb Gift Card
Give the gift of travel with an Airbnb gift card. This gift card allows your recipient to choose their perfect getaway, whether they’re looking for a cozy cabin or a city apartment. It’s a great way to inspire new adventures.
18. Spotify Gift Card
For the music enthusiast, a Spotify gift card is the perfect gift card. It can be used toward a premium subscription, allowing for ad-free listening, offline downloads, and access to exclusive playlists.
19. PlayStation Store Gift Card
For gamers, a PlayStation Store gift card is a top holiday gift card choice. It gives them access to the latest games, downloadable content, and even PlayStation Plus subscriptions, offering hours of entertainment.
20. Grubhub Gift Card
Perfect for the person who enjoys takeout, a Grubhub gift card gives them the freedom to choose from a wide selection of restaurants. Whether it’s a night in or a busy day when cooking isn’t an option, this gift card makes meals easy and enjoyable.
21. StubHub Gift Card
For the live entertainment lover, a StubHub gift card is an exciting gift card option. Whether they enjoy concerts, sports, or theater, this card gives them access to a wide range of events and experiences.
22. Netflix Gift Card
Give the gift of endless entertainment with a Netflix gift card. This holiday gift card can be used for monthly subscriptions, allowing your recipient to enjoy their favorite shows and movies during the holiday season and beyond.
23. GameStop Gift Card
For gamers, a GameStop gift card is a fantastic holiday gift card option. It can be used to purchase the latest video games, consoles, and accessories, as well as collectibles for those who love everything gaming-related.
24. Apple Gift Card
For the tech lover, an Apple gift card is an ideal gift card. It can be used toward a wide range of products, including iPhones, iPads, AirPods, and even app store purchases. With amounts starting at $25, it’s perfect for any budget.
Why Gift Cards Are the Perfect Last-Minute Gift for the Holidays
In the whirlwind of holiday preparations, it’s easy to forget a gift or two. That’s where holiday gift cards come in as the ultimate last-minute saviors.
These versatile presents are ideal for even the pickiest recipients, offering them the freedom to choose what they truly want or need. Here are a few reasons why gift cards are the perfect solution when you’re pressed for time:
- Instant Digital Delivery: Many retailers offer the option of sending holiday gift cards via email or text message, meaning you can send a gift even minutes before the holiday dinner starts. This option is especially helpful if you’re separated by distance and can’t give a physical gift in person.
- Wide Variety: Whether you’re shopping for tech enthusiasts, food lovers, or fashionistas, there’s a holiday gift card for everyone. From popular retail brands to restaurant chains and entertainment platforms, you can find a card that fits any personality or interest.
- Customization Options: Many holiday gift cards come with customizable designs, allowing you to choose festive holiday-themed visuals. You can also add a personal note to make it feel more thoughtful.
- Guaranteed Usefulness: Unlike a sweater that might not fit or a gadget they already have, holiday gift cards guarantee that your recipient gets something they will truly appreciate. They can redeem the card for something they genuinely need, removing the guesswork from your shopping process.
- Holiday Shipping Woes: Every shipping service (USPS, UPS, etc) has a significant increase in volume during the holidays. They also have an increase in lost and delayed packages as well. If you need cards fast, digital is the way to go.
Best Places to Purchase Holiday Gift Cards Online
Finding the right place to buy holiday gift cards is essential to ensure security, ease of purchase, and versatility.
Here are some of the best platforms to shop for gift cards, whether you’re a consumer or a business.
For Consumers: GiftCards.com
GiftCards.com is a one-stop shop for purchasing gift cards from a wide variety of popular retailers, restaurants, and entertainment services. Some of the features that make it an excellent option for consumers include:
- Variety: Choose from thousands of retailers, including Amazon, Starbucks, and more, with options for every type of recipient.
- Customization: Personalize your gift card with festive designs or even upload a custom image to make it special.
- Instant Digital Delivery: Send holiday gift cards via email, making it perfect for last-minute shoppers who want to ensure timely delivery.
GiftCards.com also offers discounts and special promotions during the holiday season, so you can save a little while giving the perfect gift.
For Businesses: Toasty
Toasty is an excellent solution for companies looking to purchase gift cards in bulk for employee rewards, client appreciation, or holiday incentives.
Here’s why Toasty is a go-to for businesses:
- Choice Cards: With Toasty’s Choice Cards, recipients can choose from a wide variety of retailers, ensuring that the gift aligns with their personal preferences.
- Scalability: Whether you’re buying for a small team or an entire organization, Toasty makes it easy to order holiday gift cards in large denominations for your business.
- Custom Branding: Toasty allows businesses to add their own branding to the gift cards, giving a professional touch to holiday gifting.
- Ease of Use: The digital nature of Toasty’s gift cards means you can send them effortlessly via email, making it ideal for remote teams or clients across different locations.
For companies, gift cards purchased through Toasty are not just presents; they’re a way to build loyalty and appreciation during the festive season.
If you’re curious to learn what a digital gift card platform is and see how it works, check it out here.
Tips for Buying Holiday Gift Cards
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Consider the Recipient
Choose a gift card that aligns with the recipient’s interests, hobbies, and needs. A well-matched card shows thoughtfulness and increases the likelihood it will be used and appreciated. -
Be Aware of Fees
Some prepaid gift cards charge purchase, activation, or inactivity fees. Check the terms carefully so your gift retains its full value for the recipient. -
Inspect Packaging and Card Integrity
If buying in-store, examine the card packaging for intact security seals and ensure there is no visible damage or signs of tampering. -
Buy from Trusted Sources
To avoid scams or counterfeit cards, purchase gift cards directly from authorized retailers or reliable online vendors. Avoid third-party sellers or auction sites with uncertain reputations. -
Understand Terms and Expiry Dates
Read the fine print to know if the card expires, whether fees apply after periods of inactivity, and any restrictions on usage or redemption. -
Treat Gift Cards Like Cash
Keep the receipt and safeguard the card as you would money. Report lost or stolen cards promptly to the issuing retailer—many have processes to help recover funds. -
Confirm Redemption Locations
Some cards are regional or retailer-specific and may not be valid internationally. Make sure the card can be used where your recipient shops or lives.
Conclusion
Gift cards offer flexibility, convenience, and thoughtful gifting options for everyone on your list. Whether you’re buying for a tech lover, foodie, traveler, or beauty enthusiast, these 24 gift cards cover all interests.
The best part? Each of these gift cards are options on the Toasty Choice Card, so you don’t even have to choose!
You can simplify your holiday gift giving by opting for the Toasty Choice Card, letting your recipients choose something they truly want.
Happy gifting!