Who doesn’t love getting gift cards? Whether you want to buy something you could never afford on your own or you just feel like being generous and giving someone else the power to choose, a gift card makes an amazing present. The best part? The receiver of your gift card can get something they actually want and will use. Read the article that will answer to your question – Are Gift Cards A Good Gift?
And this guide will tell you about the most popular gift cards in Canada for 2023, so you can make sure you pick the perfect one for any occasion!
What Is A Gift Card
A gift card, gift certificate, or gift voucher is a prepaid stored-value money card usually issued by a retailer or bank to be used as an alternative to cash for purchases within a particular store or related businesses. Gift cards are also given out by retailers and marketers as part of a promotion strategy, to entice the recipient to come into their store and buy more goods; it is essentially a coupon awarded in advance.
In many cases, gift cards can only be redeemed at retail locations affiliated with that issuer. The value on the card never expires, so it may act as an alternative to other gifts which do have an expiration date.
The best and secure way to buy gift cards is Baxity Store. The most popular cards and vouchers are available to purchase on store making your digital life easy. The code of the card is instantly delivered after the payment, so you can redeem it immediately wherever you want. By the way, you can exchange your gift card for crypto. Read this article on how to do it!
Main Types Of Gift Cards
According to Statista, gift cards are one of the most popular Christmas presents. Statistics show that over $1 billion was spent on gift cards by Americans alone during Christmas 2020. This is a huge figure, considering that all of them were given as gifts, and some will be resold online or via auction sites afterward. A gift card is quite similar to a regular card. You can give it to someone and they can use it to buy whatever they want at your chosen store or brand without restriction. Also, there are different types of gift cards available and we will discuss each one below:
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Digital gift cards
A digital or electronic gift card is a virtual present that can be redeemed online or through a mobile device, instead of being received by mail or handed over in person. Depending on your audience, you may find them more useful than paper cards. As technology becomes increasingly integrated into our daily lives, many companies are moving toward electronic gift cards in Canada. Digital gift cards have become an excellent way to market your business as well.
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Physical gift cards
Moving beyond digital e-gift cards and apps, physical gift cards in Canada are still very popular. Retailers will have to come up with new ways to make sure consumers take advantage of these opportunities, and they will likely do so by offering additional incentives (such as increased rewards points) or marketing campaigns. Consumers are savvy enough to take advantage of bonuses that can be earned if they’re willing to spend more—but only if it makes sense financially.
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Closed Loop gift cards
A closed-loop gift card can only be used at a single retailer or service provider. These are popular with restaurants, retailers, and travel companies as they help make transactions simpler by eliminating customer confusion over multiple forms of payment and tip amounts. In addition, closed-loop gift cards promote brand loyalty as customers are likely to visit their preferred brands more often once they have one of these cards.
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Open Loop gift cards
With an open-loop gift card, you can purchase your choice of merchandise from a variety of retailers. This is one of the most flexible and popular types of gift cards available today. The most common open-loop Canadian gift cards are Visa and MasterCard gift cards, which can be used at any retailer that accepts either card type as payment.
Top 10 Most Popular Gift Cards in Canada for 2023
Gift cards are often given out during special occasions, and just like with any other item, there are certain gift cards that tend to be more popular than others. Whether you’re trying to pick out the perfect present or you’re simply interested in which Canadian companies offer these cards, the list below should be helpful to you. Here are the top 10 most popular gift cards in Canada in no particular order:
Uber And Uber Eats gift cards
Uber and Uber Eats are two of Canada’s most popular companies, but gift cards for them can be hard to find. Both Uber and Uber Eats gift cards are available in $25, $50, $100, and $200 denominations, meaning you can send one that fits perfectly into your budget. These Uber gift cards can be purchased at numerous retailers across Canada. They are also available online via Square.
Starbucks gift cards
Topping both statistics was Starbucks, with 12.2% of Canadians carrying one at any given time. For many Canadian coffee drinkers, their gift card isn’t just a way to treat themselves to a pick-me-up on a morning commute—it’s also an easy way to save money by taking advantage of Starbucks’ rewards program (although some people may be sacrificing rewards by buying non-rewarded items). As an added bonus, gift cards are usually accepted in most locations and online.
Apple gift cards
It’s no surprise that Apple gift cards are on our list of most popular gift cards in Canada. When it comes to gifts, Apple products are right up there with jewelry and clothes. Even if your loved one doesn’t want a new Mac or iPhone they can always put an Apple gift card towards a purchase of a friend or family member’s special gadget or accessory.
Sephora gift cards
In 2021, gift cards were offered in amounts of $25 and up. Choose from physical or e-gift cards, both of which are available for purchase at Sephora locations or online at Sephora.ca. You can also buy a Sephora e-gift card at participating retailers, including Hudson’s Bay, The Bay, and Holt Renfrew stores across Canada.
Visa gift cards
Using a Visa gift card is a quick and convenient way to pay for goods and services. Visa gift cards can be used almost anywhere Visa is accepted, including online and at any ATM. These cards are very popular in Canada and can be purchased in denominations of $25, $50, $100, or up to $500.
Walmart gift cards
If you’re looking for a go-to gift card that nearly everyone loves, Walmart is an excellent choice. Whether your loved one is shopping for clothes, accessories, or food, they’ll likely be able to find what they need at Walmart—and even score a few extra stocking stuffers. You can choose between $10 and $500 denominations; like most gift cards, unused credit will stay on their account for future purchases. There are no fees or expiration dates attached to these cards.
Picking The Perfect Card
The best part about gift cards is that they can be used almost anywhere. This gives recipients a lot of flexibility with what they buy and makes them perfect for people who are indecisive or difficult to shop for.
However, it can also make choosing a gift card slightly more challenging because there’s no way to guarantee that your recipient will like whatever they buy—something you risk when you give cash. Some of these tips should help you pick out a great gift card regardless of who you’re shopping for!
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Give a Usable Amount
Find and give a gift card that is worth a decent amount. The whole point of gift cards is to be flexible—and $10 isn’t very flexible! Look at how much things cost before you shop, so you can make sure you’re giving them enough money to buy something they like.
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Consider Their Interests
Do they love music? Do they enjoy going out to eat? Is there a cool store around town that you know they always wanted to visit? Think about what your recipient likes and try to match it with an appropriate gift card.
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Avoid Restrictions
If you’re giving a gift card to someone else, make sure it has no restrictions. If there are restrictions or time limits on your card, ask about them before you buy. If there are things you don’t like about your present, try to find another gift card with different terms.
Buy Cards That Can Be Used Online
If you’re not sure what they want to buy, consider buying a gift card that can be used online. If your recipient doesn’t like your card or if they don’t spend all of it, they can always spend it online later on.
How To Use Your Online E-Gift Cards In Canada
E-gift cards in Canada have become increasingly popular in recent years. If you’re an online shopper, chances are you’ve received one or two of these gift cards from a friend or family member. Instead of giving you a physical card that gets lost amongst your paperwork, e-gift cards allow you to keep track of your balances and use them to shop on any major retail website, including Amazon and Walmart.
Where Can They Be Used
A gift card can be used to make purchases at stores, gas stations, restaurants, and other establishments as well as online.
How To Check The Value/Status Of Your Card
The most common way to check your gift card balance is by calling an automated line. The first 8 digits of your gift card number should be printed on a sticker or imprinted on your card, depending on your provider. If you have a digital gift card, you can check the status using a barcode scanner app. Simply open up the app, take a picture of your gift card and they will tell you everything you need to know!
Are They Reloadable?
Gift cards in Canada are exclusively for spending; they do not enable cash withdrawals and are not usually reloadable.
Tips On How To Get the Most Out of E-Gift Cards
- Consider gifting an e-gift card if you do not know what to give a person as a gift. Some people prefer receiving an e-gift card rather than cash because they are given the freedom to choose whatever they want instead of having to stick with a specific item that they might have chosen as their gift.
- E-gift cards can be sent through email or text message and can be used to purchase items online without necessarily purchasing them from a particular store, which allows recipients more flexibility when shopping on their own terms.
- There is no limit on how much money one can put on an e-gift card, which makes it ideal for those who tend to forget birthdays or other special occasions.
- The recipient does not need to worry about losing his/her e-gift card since it can always be reissued with the help of the service provider. Furthermore, some service providers will offer protection services for purchases made using your e-gift card so you can rest assured knowing your loved ones will get exactly what they paid for without worrying about unauthorized purchases afterward.
- Although e-gift cards cannot be redeemed for cash, most merchants provide generous return policies that allow customers to exchange merchandise bought using an e-gift card at no additional cost should they change their minds after making a purchase. This option gives them plenty of time to try out products before deciding whether or not to keep them, essentially allowing them to make amends after discovering something better suited for themselves down the road (this applies primarily to electronics).
What Are the Pros and Cons
There are both pros and cons to gift cards. One of their biggest benefits is that they can be used anywhere that accepts debit and credit payments. That makes them very convenient and flexible, which can make them great gifts. On top of that, you don’t have to worry about size or color if you give a gift card. This can be helpful if you need to find a present for someone who’s hard to shop for, like your boss or grandparent. There are other benefits as well, such as letting people buy what they want instead of just receiving something they might not use or want. However, it can also be difficult to pick out a gift card that someone will actually enjoy—unless they tell you exactly what they want!
Buy Gift Card Online In Canada
Canadians are spending more money on gift cards than ever before. With just a few clicks and swipes, you can buy almost any gift card in Canada online. That makes shopping for birthday gifts or anniversaries super easy—you can do it from your phone while you’re waiting for a movie to start! It’s also a great way to help out friends who have trouble making decisions, or who already have everything they want. There’s no wrong way to give a gift card in Canada. If you feel like being traditional and giving an actual plastic card with numbers on it, that’s cool too! But don’t worry—we made sure to include those options in our list of top ten most popular gift cards as well!
Frequently asked Questions
What is a Gift Card?
A gift card, a prepaid card, or a gift certificate is a voucher or plastic card issued by a retailer that can be used as an alternative to cash for purchases of goods and services. Gift cards are also known as gift certificates in North America, or gift vouchers, or gift tokens in the UK and Ireland.
How Do eGift Cards Work?
With a credit card or debit card, you can order an eGift Card and send it to a friend or family member’s email address. The eGift Card will arrive as an attachment with instructions on how to redeem it. The recipient can enter in their code at checkout when they make a purchase at any physical stores or online.
What to Look for When Buying Gift Cards?
With all of these gift card options available, deciding which to purchase can be a big challenge. Just keep in mind how you plan on using it, and what your budget is. If you don’t already have an idea of where you want to use it, or how much money you want to spend, try buying a small amount from each store that appeals to you. This way you can try out different shops and not spend a fortune until after Christmas.
