Most at times when you do not know what item to gift a person, or you are not sure of gift item, the next best thing that comes to your mind is a gift card and giving gift cards is a very common practice among Canadians.
There are many Canadians that often search the web for the best gift cards available, either for free or for purchase. When looking for a gift card, if is very important to consider what you intend to buy, or where the person you are giving the card loves to shop.
Gift Cards are a convenient digital asset that helps you pay for items at your favorite brand and they are also a cost effective method of shopping.
Gift cards are so popular in Canada cause they can be used for a variety reasons such as; shopping both online and offline, paying for items purchased at stores, or paying for foods consumed at a restaurant or better still paying for gas at a selected station.
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What is a Gift Card?
A gift card is a prepaid debit card with a specific amount used as an alternative to cash for various forms of purchases in a retail store. From a honest point of view, even if you are used to a person, you cannot always know what every individual needs at every precise moment, hence, the importance of gift cards.
The most amazing thing about gift cards is that the recipient of the card can use it to shop what ever he/she wants at the store at the given time.
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How Do Gift Cards Work?
Gift cards or gift vouchers, are prepaid debit cards loaded with funds that can be used for future purchases. Gift cards are mostly issued by banks, credit companies, or retail merchants as a cash substitute within that retail outlet enterprise.
Some times, gift card are often distributed by organizations to their customers or employees as a form of reward for their loyalty or good work towards the organization.
There are some marketing companies that make use of gift cards as promotional tactics to attract more customers to their business or store. The purchase of gift cards if mostly common during holiday season and in time of festivities. This is due to the fact that people now choose to give out and receive gift cards an alternative to selecting a specific gift the receiver might not always need.
Just like a credit card, a gift card has unique code or numbers but the major difference is that gift card do not carry any name and so can be used by any individual.
The card can also be set up to work in line with an electronic system, such that it can be registered online to alleviate the risk of losses. With this system set in place, the balance on a gift card can be tracked and frozen when in case you loss your card or it gets stolen.
Similar to your plastic credit card, many gift cards come with bar code, serial numbers or magnetic strip that can be read by electronic credit card devices. Most of the gift cards are protected by encryptions and the magnetic strip on the card cannot be read by any standard equipment.
Gift cards have fast grown to become so popular due to the fact that it gives the holder of the card, the freedom and flexibility to purchase whatever they want with the preloaded amount of money.
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Best Gift Cards in Canada
Below are some of the most popular and best gift cards in Canada:
1. Amazon Gift Card
There is no other gift card that provides its customers with as much product options as the Amazon gift card. It is actually the largest online retail store in Canada for all household items like electronics, books, toys, healthcare products, and many more. There are millions of amazing products for Canadians.
You can obtain the Amazon gift card for as low as $5CAD to over $2,000CAD. The good thing about this card is that you can easily purchase it online and have it delivered to the recipient. If you want, you can also add a personalized note to the card before sending it to the receiver.
2. Happy Kid Gift Card
The Happy Kid gift card, issued by People's Trust Company, can be used to make purchases at the Canadian retailers featured on the card, such as Indigo, The Children's Place, Sport Chek, Master Mind Toys and many more.
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3. Gap and Banana Republic Gift Card
This gift card can be used online at any store locations of Gap, Banana republic, Atlanta, and Old Navy. This gift card is provided by two Canadian corporations (Gap and Old Navy).
4. Rexall Gift Cards
You can use the Rexall gift cards to purchase daily living products like health and beauty merchandise, at any Rexall Pharma Plus Store in Canada.
5. Home Hardware Gift Cards and E-Gift Cards
This gift card is a good option for home owners as it helps them shop for furniture, tools, plumbing and electrical pieces of equipment, sporting goods, and more. You can find the Home Hardware gift card available in virtual, mobile, or physical forms and it is non-refundable.
6. Happy Active Gift Cards
The Happy gift card is issued by People's trust company. This gift card can be used in-store at participating Sport Chek, Cabela’s, Gift Town, and Running Room locations in Canada. Other notable gift cards from Peoples Trust are:
- Happy Dining Gift Cards For Ontario
- Happy Dining For Western Canada
- Happy Teen Gift Cards
- Happy Student Gift Cards
- Happy Her Prepaid Gift Cards
- Happy Him Gift Cards
7. Sephora Gift Cards
The Sephora gift card is made available in both plastic and e-gift cards and it is a great option for people who are intentional about beauty routines. This gift card is suitable for skincare, makeup and perfume purchases. You can redeem this card at Sephora beauty stores in Canada and the U.S.
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8. Best Buy E-Gift Cards
Enjoy endless opportunities on name-brand home entertainment, electronics, kitchen appliances, laptops, and computer accessories at any best buy store locations in Canada with the Best Buy e-Gift card.
9. Cineplex E-Gift Cards
You can make use of this card to purchase concessions, admissions and merchandise at Cineplex movie theaters or online. This gift card is actually and amazing option for those that love watching movies at Cinemas.
10. Esso and Mobil E-Gift Cards
This gift card can be used to buy gas, car washes, snacks, and many others at participating Esso and Mobil service stations in Canada. You can equally load it on the speedpass app to pay at the pump.
11. Vanilla Gift Cards
Vanilla gift cards are prepaid gift cards loaded with funds for purchases. Vanilla gift cards are made available in both MasterCard and Visa Card and the card can be redeemed at millions of merchant locations where Visa and MasterCard are accepted as payment method- either online or at any retail store.
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12. Uber and Uber Eats E-Gift Cards
The Uber card code is redeemable via the Uber and Uber eats app within Canada to top up your Uber app or scroll through a list of restaurants near you.
Other Notable Gift Cards in Canada
- Apple/iTunes gift cards
- Cadillac Fairview gift cards
- Etsy gift cards
- Hudson’s Bay gift cards
- Shopper’s drug mart gift cards
- Indigo e-gift cards
- Star bucks gift cards
- Tim Horton’s gift cards
- Visa gift cards
- Whole foods gift cards
- Winners, Marshalls, and Home Sense gift cards
- Walmart Canada e-gift cards, and more.
Final Thoughts on Best Gift Cards in Canada
Getting a gift card is like being given a free cheque to spend on anything you like, such as books, clothes, videos, household items, groceries, and more.
There are many Canadians that often search the web for the best gift cards available, either for free or for purchase. When looking for a gift card, if is very important to consider what you intend to buy, or where the person you are giving the card loves to shop.
This article compiles 12 best gift card present ideas you can try.
Frequently Askes Questions
Which gift card is high most?
Sephora gift card is one of the most sought-after among the numerous types of gift cards, which is also why it is one of the most expensive gift cards.
What gift card is used for in USA?
A gift card is a form of payment that can be used to make purchases at retail stores, gas stations, restaurants, and other locations.
Can I convert gift card to cash in USA?
Yes, you can easily turn gift cards into cash (or more desirable gift cards) through reputable sites like Raise and CardCash.
Is there a steam card in Canada?
Yes and Steam Gift Card Canada is a convenient method of topping up your Steam Wallet. It is also completely safe and instant.