If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, Rolling Stone may receive an affiliate commission. There’s enough pressure shopping for gifts for your favorite and hardest-to-shop-for people. Why take a wild guess and risk a re-gifting situation (or worse, a post-gifting return and exchange trip), when you can make it easy on both of you by getting them something they’ll actually use? Yes, we’re talking about gift cards, but it doesn’t have to be as impersonal as it sounds.
You could stock up on generic restaurant gift cards and call it a day, but that might not go well for those with picky palates (read: foodies) or people who live in areas where said eatery isn’t available. Gift certificates to retailers with online and brick-and-mortar shopping is an easy way to please the most particular pals on your list. The best gift cards don’t have to be wrapped or even delivered in person.
All of our picks on this list offer e-gift cards that can be purchased, sent and redeemed online. These online gift cards are great if you don’t feel like braving the crowds at the mall or if you have a recipient who may not be a store-bought-gift-type. A bonus: e-gift cards make for a great last-minute gift too.
Here, we’ve rounded up ideas for the best online gift cards to buy for a range of recipients, from foodies and fitness fanatics to friends and family who are thirsty for knowledge (and wine). Give someone the gift of home cooking.