20 Best Gift Cards for 2021

OK, so it’s not the most original idea on the block. But an Amazon gift card opens the door for your recipient to buy anything from a special treat to much-needed groceries, so it might at least be the most versatile. 

For the frazzled parents who need help getting dinner on the table, or just to take some of the stress off the post-holiday weeks, a gift card to this Good Housekeeping Institute-approved meal delivery service will fit the bill.  

With more artisan-made, handcrafted gifts than anyone could possibly count, Etsy is the go-to for those who like to shop small businesses. But warn your recipient when they open it: Choosing just one to support will be a real challenge. 

For that one friend who has lots of opinions about the best way to brew their Joe, a coffee subscription will enable their caffeinated hobby. With both three- and six-month options, you can also choose how much to commit. 

RELATED: 40 Gifts for Every Kind of Coffee Lover

Have you ever tried to buy makeup or personal care products for someone else? Unless you bring the item into the store with you, the chances of picking up the wrong thing are high. Save yourself the stress with a gift card, instead. 

If you’ve ever bought your favorite bookworm a new read just to find out they just finished it, a subscription to audible is the way to go. They can access a whole library full of books to listen to wherever, especially when reading visually isn’t possible. 

RELATED: The Best Audiobooks 

Give your recipient a host of options with a Happy Gift Card. Each one has a selection of retailers, including favorites like Macy’s and Bed Bath and Beyond, Ulta Beauty and GameStop, restaurants like PF Chang’s, The Cheesecake Factory, ColdStone and more. You can also customize their look online, for an even more personal present. 

RELATED: Here’s Where to Get Amazon Gift Cards

We don’t care if it’s cheugy: Nothing says holidays like those signature red cups. Whether they’re a peppermint or gingerbread latte kind of person, a gift card to the ‘Bucks will help keep the caffeine flowing. 

With sizes that run from 00-40, Universal Standard will likely have something that fits, regardless of your recipient’s body type. And with their gorgeous offerings, they’ll also be stepping out in style.  

Friends and family who have moved away from their favorite restaurants can get a taste of home – or source something special they tried on their travels –with this company that ships food from certain restaurants and small food businesses nationwide. 

For teens or college students who are just getting into investing, or seasoned financial pros who take their portfolios seriously, Stockpile Gift Cards are a unique gift. Choose from a selection of popular and high-performing stocks, or let your recipient pick their own investment with a choose-your-own-adventure card. Now that’s really a gift that keeps on giving. 

Give your loved one the gift of relaxation with access to thousands of spas, fitness centers, wellness centers, salons and more. If they want to spend the day getting a massage, facial, mani-pedi, the whole nine, they can use this card that way. If a yoga or pilates class is more their speed, it works for those too. They’ll feel more relaxed just opening the envelope. 

For the recipient who has everything, give the gift of experience this holiday (but always check COVID-19 regulations before booking!)  Cloud 9 lets you choose between over 600 outings, from skydiving to hot air ballooning, to cooking classes and so much more. There’s something for everyone, regardless of their interests. 

For rising high school seniors or even younger kids, adding to their college fund is a thoughtful gift. You can choose your denomination to build their savings for higher education or even help pay off student loans. It may not be flashy and fun, but they’ll really thank you for it down the line. 

Of all the gifts you can bestow upon a frazzled parent or busy person, a clean house might be the most appreciated. MaidPro gift cards enable you to give your loved one some time back in their schedule, not to mention a carpet with those satisfying vacuum lines and a crumb-free countertop. 

Nowadays, we take the vast majority of our photos digitally, and that’s the way they remain. But with a Groovebook subscription, you can gift a monthly photobook, so they always have the latest snaps. This is a great option for grandparents or faraway relatives, so they can still watch the little ones grow. 

As the name suggests, a gift from Uncommon Goods works great for those people with great taste who might also be a little picky. Think of it like a department store with curated goods for people who like the kinds of things that make others say, “Hey, where’d you get that?” 

Many of us have dedicated ourselves to shopping at more Black-owned businesses this year, but that can be hard to do if you don’t know what to buy. Let Bifties help. By buying a Bifties gift card, you open the door to a whole online shop full of goodies your recipient will love that also supports a small business. 

RELATED: Black-Owned Businesses to Shop Now and Forever

Pay it forward by giving with Charity Choice, which enables the cardholder to direct the balance to their choice of more than 1,000 charitable organizations. This year more than ever, so many people are hurting, so the person who has everything may appreciate the chance to spread some holiday cheer.