So, don’t have a clue what to give your favorite gadget hound for the holidays, or are you simply pressed for time? Here’s a simple solution: a gift card, which you can send via email, print out, post on Facebook, or deliver the old-fashioned way. Read on for 10 gift card ideas that’ll appeal to gadget lovers, online video fanatics, gamers, and more.
Amazon
What can you get? Just about anything under the sun, ranging from books and MP3s to gadgets and clothing, not to mention the Amazon Kindle e-reader
Gift card denominations: Anywhere from 15 cents to $2,000
Number of designs: 35
Delivered by: Physical mail, email, Facebook, or printed out
Barnes & Noble
What can you get? Books, DVDs, gadgets, household items, and more, as well as the Nook e-reader
Gift card denominations: From $10 to $350
Number of designs: 55 for physical cards, 16 for e-cards
Delivered by: Physical mail or email
Best Buy
What can you get? A smorgasbord of home electronics and personal tech, from cell phones and digital cameras to HDTVs and computers
Gift card denominations: $5 to $500 for e-cards, $15 to $200 for physical cards
Number of designs: 39 designs for e-cards, 16 for physical cards
Delivered by: Physical mail, email, Facebook
Hulu Plus
What can you get? Thousands of network TV shows, including complete seasons, streamed instantly over the Web, smartphones, game consoles, HDTVs, and other home-video devices
Gift card denominations: Range from $7.99 (for a month’s subscription) to $95.88 (for an entire year)
Number of gift card designs: 3
Delivered by: Email, or printed out
iTunes Store
What can you get? Downloadable apps, movies, TV shows, and music for your iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch
Gift card denominations: $15, $25, and $50 for physical gift cards; $10 to $50 for virtual gift cards (which you can buy in the iTunes desktop client); or $50 to $100 for “special edition” Beatles cards.
Number of gift card designs: 15
Delivered by: Physical mail, email, or printed out
Netflix
What can you get? Instant, unlimited streaming of more than 20,000 movies and TV shows over the Internet
Gift card denominations: Range from $7.99 (for a month’s subscription) to $95.88 (for an entire year)
Number of gift card designs: 8
Delivered by: Email, or printed out
PlayStation Network
What can you get? Downloadable games, videos, wallpapers, and more for your PlayStation 3 gaming console
Gift card denominations: $20 and $50
Designs: 1
Delivered by: Email (physical cards are available in retail stores)
Redbox
What can you get? DVD and video game rentals from kiosks in grocery stores, quick marts, fast-food restaurants, and other locations
Gift card denominations: $5 to $10 (for DVDs) or $10 to $20 (games)
What they can be redeemed for: Five to 10 DVD rentals, or five game rentals
Number of gift card designs: 9
Delivered by: Email, text message, Facebook, or printed out
Xbox Live “Points” cards
What can you get? Downloadable games, videos, wallpapers, and more for the Xbox 360 gaming console
Gift card denominations: $20 and $50
Number of designs: 1
Delivered by: Physical and email
… and last but not least …
American Red Cross
What can you get? Nothing for yourself (beyond the satisfaction of giving to a worthy cause), but plenty of nifty (and essential) “gadgets” and services like blankets, personal care kits, emergency water containers, and other essentials for those who need them most
Gift card denominations: $18 and up (the sky’s the limit, naturally)
Number of designs: 1 (it’s a good one, though)
Delivered by: Physical and email
Have any other good gift card ideas to share? Post ’em below!
