With the pandemic dragging on and the weather growing colder, trawling through retail stores seeking gifts is a daunting prospect. Shopping online can be just as time-consuming, and you may run into delivery delays due to a series of global supply chain issues. Even if you successfully secure a haul of presents, many will wind up in closets or charity stores. Maybe it’s time to try an online gift. Show Digital gifts are so much easier. Shop from your cozy bed. No need for gift-wrapping or shipping. You can find something they really want, or give them the chance to choose for themselves. We have a virtual smorgasbord of delicious digital gift ideas for you. Some Online Gifts to Try
Photograph: Amazon They may not be all that imaginative, but electronic gift cards let your loved ones choose what they actually want, and it's never disappointing to receive one (assuming it's at a place you like). Gift cards are everywhere—you can also look beyond the retail giants to find highly rated independent stores, delis, or restaurants near your giftee.
Movie and TV Subscriptions Sling TV We are living in a golden age of entertainment. It has never been easier to get great TV and film pumped into your home. Cord-cutting gives us more control, and there’s an increasingly wide choice of streaming services you can give as presents.
Spotify via Matt Jancer Music makes a wonderful gift. It can conjure memories, boost your mood, and get you dancing. Our guide to the best music streaming services runs through our favorites and why we like them in more detail, but these three subscriptions are the best options for most people:
Kindle Paperwhite Photograph: AmazonThere’s nothing quite like settling down with a good book, whether you read it on a Kindle, tablet, or smartphone. Ebooks and ebook subscriptions make great gifts, and there are some fantastic audiobook versions with big-name casts for folks who love to listen. Amazon dominates this scene, but it’s not the only game in town.
Digital News and Magazines Photograph: Getty Images Some of the best journalism you can find online requires a subscription. Magazine, journal, and newspaper subscriptions make great gifts for anyone.
Photograph: Amazon There may be too many gaming subscription services now, but that’s good news for gift shoppers with gamers on their list.
Password Managers and Security Photograph: 1Password If you have family or friends with questionable online security habits, no amount of nagging will change their ways, but buy them a digital security gift and they might just try it. Here are a few security-related digital gift ideas. (We also have guides to the best password managers, the best VPN services, and the best smartphone security apps.)
Rosetta Stone Photograph: AmazonEveryone wants to acquire new skills, but motivation can be hard to come by. If your loved ones talk about learning a musical instrument, a new language, or picking up some photography skills, why not spring for some online lessons to help them get started?
Photograph: GRAY HAMNER/Peloton It’s crucial to stay fit if you want good health and a general sense of wellbeing, and our favorite fitness apps and services can help anyone do it with online classes that guide workouts in your own home. Exercise some caution when gifting fitness services, though. Make sure your intended recipient is genuinely interested.
Photograph: Walmart Some retail memberships or subscriptions give access to better deals, free priority shipping, and other benefits that make them highly appreciated gifts.
Donating to Charity In Their Name Photograph: Getty Images Many of us have more than we need, and gifts can be hit or miss. Making a charitable donation in someone’s name is a great alternative that lets people know you’re thinking of them and also does some good in the world. Just be careful to do a little research on your chosen charity or service before you spend. Organizations like Charity Navigator and Charity Watch can help you find the most deserving and trustworthy charities.
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Can you send gift cards electronically?Because they're digital, eGift cards are much faster than physical gift cards. There's no need to buy postage, print anything, or wait. If you don't select a specific date/time to send the card, it will be sent immediately. Most recipients have their digital gift within a few minutes or hours at most.
How does sending an eGift Card work?The recipient follows the instructions in the email to claim and activate the card. The recipient gets an email with their e-gift card code. The recipient can browse the gift card provider's website and choose what they would like to buy. The recipient can pay for the item using the code they received.
What kind of eMost Popular. Google Play. Sephora. Lowes. GrubHub. Nordstrom. Macy's. View all popular cards.. Featured brands. Saks. Bloomingdales. Hotels. AirBnb. Roblox. Ulta. GameStop. Darden. View all featured brands.. Can you send eText gift cards allow you to text a digital gift card straight to a recipient's mobile phone. Instead of needing to mail, email, or deliver a gift card in-person, it's as simple as sending a text message to a family member.
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