Gift cards have become a popular gift-giving option in recent years. Rather than trying to pick out a specific item that the recipient may or may not like, gift cards allow them to choose their own gift. Gift cards come in a variety of amounts, allowing the giver flexibility in determining how much money to put towards the gift.
Average Gift Card Amount
According to various surveys and studies, the average gift card amount falls somewhere between $25-$50. However, there is a wide range when it comes to gift card amounts.
Here is a table showing some statistics on average gift card amounts from various sources:
| Survey/Study | Year | Average Gift Card Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Blackhawk Network | 2021 | $47 |
| Mercator Advisory Group | 2020 | $45 |
| First Data | 2018 | $45 |
| National Retail Federation | 2017 | $47 |
As we can see, most studies show the average gift card amount hovering between $45-50. However, average amounts can vary greatly depending on the situation.
Average Amounts by Occasion
Gift card amounts often vary depending on the occasion. Here are some common gift-giving occasions and average gift card amounts:
| Occasion | Average Amount |
|---|---|
| Birthday | $50 |
| Graduation | $75 |
| Wedding | $100 |
| Christmas | $25-$50 |
| Thank You | $25 |
As we can see, birthdays, Christmas, and general thank you occasions often call for gift cards in the $25-50 range. Bigger events like graduations and weddings warrant larger gift card amounts from the $75-100 range.
Average Amounts by Relation
The relationship between the giver and recipient can also impact average gift card amounts. Close family and friends often receive higher gift card amounts than acquaintances or distant relatives. Here are some examples:
| Relationship | Average Amount |
|---|---|
| Immediate family (spouse, parents, siblings, children) | $50-100 |
| Extended family (grandparents, aunts/uncles, cousins) | $25-50 |
| Close friends | $50-75 |
| Casual friends/acquaintances | $15-25 |
| Coworkers | $15-25 |
Those closest to us often receive gift cards in the $50-100 range, while casual acquaintances get smaller token amounts from $15-25.
Factors That Impact Gift Card Amount
There are a few key factors that impact how much someone spends on a gift card:
1. Recipient Age
Younger recipients often receive lower gift card amounts. Teenagers and children commonly get gift cards in the $15-25 range for birthdays and holidays. Young adults in college may get slightly higher amounts up to $50. Gift card amounts tend to increase with the recipient’s age and responsibilities.
2. Income of Giver
The income level of the gift giver also affects how much they spend on gift cards. Those on tighter budgets will stick to lower amounts from $10-25. Middle income givers often choose amounts in the $25-50 range. Higher income givers can splurge on larger gift card amounts from $50 up to $100 or more.
3. Type of Gift Card
The type of establishment the gift card is for also impacts the amount. Gift cards for coffee shops or fast food may be $10-25. Cards for casual restaurants and stores are often $25-50. High-end restaurants or hotels may warrant a gift card up to $100 or more.
4. Number of Gift Cards
Some givers like to buy multiple gift cards for the recipient. The total amount may be split across several $10-25 cards rather than one large card. This allows the recipient to redeem the cards at multiple locations over time.
Most Popular Gift Card Amounts
Although gift card amounts vary greatly, there are a few popular benchmarks that many consumers stick to. Here are some of the most commonly purchased gift card amounts:
- $10 – For coffee shops, fast food, discounts
- $25 – The most universal amount, can be for anything
- $50 – A common amount for nicer restaurants and stores
- $100 – For higher-end gifts and luxury experiences
- $250-$500 – For extravagant gifts like travel and leisure activities
Gift cards in the $25-$100 range likely make up the bulk of most gift card purchases. But some givers like to go big with gift cards from $250 up to $500 or more for luxury trips and activities.
Things to Consider When Selecting Amount
When trying to determine the perfect gift card amount, here are some helpful tips:
- Take into account the occasion – bigger events warrant bigger amounts
- Consider your relationship with the recipient – closer relationships may get higher amounts
- Factor in the recipient’s age, income level, interests
- Check if the merchant has amount suggestions or guidelines
- See if you can combine multiple lower amount cards
- Make sure the amount matches the establishment
- $10-$25: coffee, fast food, discount stores
- $25-$100: casual restaurants, department stores, entertainment
- $100+: high-end restaurants, hotels, travel
The amount you choose can make a big difference in how much the recipient can get with the gift card. Put some thought into the factors around occasion, interests, and where the card is for before selecting an amount.
Creative Ways to Determine Amount
Rather than just picking a random dollar amount, here are some creative ideas for coming up with a personalized gift card amount for a loved one:
Significant number
Base the amount on a number that holds special meaning for the recipient, like their:
- Age
- Birthday (month/day)
- Graduation year
- Jersey number
- Wedding anniversary date
Favorite things
Tie the amount to some of the recipient’s favorite things, like:
- Favorite sports team/player jersey number
- Favorite movie/TV character number
- Their “lucky number”
- Their go-to Starbucks order cost
- Price of their favorite pizza order
Memorable number
Connect the amount to a memorable number for the recipient:
- Street address growing up
- Childhood home phone number
- High school graduation year
- College dorm room number
- Sports stats (career points scored, etc.)
Getting creative with the amount rather than just a random number can give the gift card more meaning and thoughtfulness.
Fun and Unique Gift Card Ideas
For a fun twist, you can purchase gift cards tailored to the recipient’s unique personality and interests:
| Personality Trait | Gift Card Idea |
|---|---|
| Adrenaline junkie | Sky diving, race car driving |
| Pop culture buff | Comic book store, action figure shop |
| Foodie | Restaurants, food tours, cooking classes |
| Homebody | Furniture shop, home goods, streaming services |
| Jetsetter | Airline miles, hotels, luggage |
| Gamer | Gaming shop, arcade, gaming membership |
| Beauty guru | Spa, cosmetics, skincare |
Picking a gift card that fits their unique personality makes for a fun and thoughtful gift.
Unexpected Gift Card Ideas
For a gift card they’d never expect, try thinking outside the box:
- Charity donation in their name
- Ancestry family tree research
- Genealogy DNA test kit
- Greeting card monthly subscription
- Graffiti art class
- Introductory flight lesson
- Race car driving experience
- Indoor skydiving session
- Axe throwing session
- Escape room admission
Experiential gift cards for adventures and activities can make for exciting unexpected gifts.
Gift Card Bonuses and Discounts
To get the most value from gift cards, be on the lookout for special promotions and discounts:
- Retailer sales – Special sales around holidays often offer discounts like buy a $50 gift card, get $10 free
- Credit card rewards – Some credit cards offer 5-10% back when purchasing gift cards
- Shopping portals – Portals like Swagbucks offer cashback on gift card purchases
- Secondary market discounts – Gift card resale sites like CardCash sell new gift cards at a discount
With the right promotion, you can end up with a bigger gift card amount for less money out of pocket.
Reselling Unwanted Gift Cards
If you end up with an unwanted gift card, you have options for getting value from it:
- Sell it on a gift card resale site like CardCash or GiftCardGranny
- Trade it in on a gift card exchange site
- Regift it to someone who would use it
- Use it towards a portion of a larger purchase
- See if the merchant allows using it for online purchases
Although you may lose a bit of value, reselling or regifting an unwanted card is better than letting it go unused.
Conclusion
When selecting a gift card amount, there are many factors to consider around occasion, recipient interests and preferences, and what type of establishment it is for. While $25-$50 is a safe bet for general gifting, tailoring the amount to the recipient can make it more thoughtful. With a variety of creative amount ideas and money-saving bonuses and discounts, gift cards make it easy to find the perfect gift at any price point.
