18 Unexpected Gift Card Ideas They'll Love Getting—and You'll Love Giving

Gift them the gift of some of the country's best food, delivered right to their door. They can opt for sweet treats (including ice cream!), local specialties (like wings from Buffalo or muffaletta from New Orleans), or even subscriptions that offer the best of a category, such as a monthly sandwich, pizza, or cookie delivery. 

Gift card presentation idea: Goldbelly cards can be delivered digitally or as a hard copy—and you can even splurge a bit more and pick a special gift card presentation that comes with some fun food gifts, stickers, and other swag. 

For your hard-to-buy-for teen, tween, or young adult, an Urban Outfitters gift card may give them exactly what they need to pick out the gifts they really want, whether it's something to refresh their room or their wardrobe.

Gift card presentation idea: If you're doing the e-gift card, try fitting a fun message into the 200-character space. Or pair a tangible version with a small gift they might like—their favorite candy, a cool beauty or skincare product, or a fun Christmas ornament. 

If you know someone has a lot of household to-dos on their list, a gift card from Handy may be just the thing to help them get a few key items done. Whether they're in need of a deep clean, furniture assembly, picture hanging, or other tasks, you'll gift them a few hours of time to put their feet up, while the pros manage their tasks. 

Gift card presentation idea: It's the perfect accompaniment to a product that needs a handyman's touch to put into action—such as a new TV that needs mounting.

For the person who's long overdue for a massage or another wellness treatment, this gift card is just the ticket for them to book their favorite treatments at one of hundreds of spas across the country. 

Gift card presentation idea: Pair this with a fun wellness accessory—some sheet masks, their favorite moisturizer, or a pretty spa robe.

Choose your recipient's favorite gift card from a list of popular options (including Home Depot, Amazon, and DoorDash), and it'll come encased in concrete—with a hammer and safety goggles so they can "unwrap" the item.

Gift card presentation idea: It's already built into the gift! 

If they don't already have a Disney+ account (or you just want to help them keep the magic going for longer), give them the gift of great entertainment with a Disney+ Subscription Card. This gift offers a year-long subscription to unlimited streaming from the service, so they can get their fill of Marvel Universe shows and movies, Pixar films, Disney classics, and even some educational National Geographic content. 

Gift card presentation idea: This gift card is only available digitally, so think of a truly witty (and Disney, Star Wars, or Marvel–related) quote or saying to include with the delivery email.

Give the gift of learning with a membership to MasterClass. You can purchase an All Access Pass ($180) that allows them to watch what they want whenever for a full year.

Gift card presentation idea: This is an e-gift card, so you'll need to use your words instead of ribbons and bows. Take some time to research classes the recipient will like and list them in the message to get them excited about using their gift ASAP.

Whether they've already got a well-developed green thumb or they're just starting to get some dirt under their nails, everyone could use a new plant. Bloomscape delivers plants across the country with gorgeous planters and has a huge variety, so they can pick the plant of their dreams (thinking of you the whole time, of course).

Gift card presentation idea: Bloomscape keeps it green and only offers e-gift cards. You have the option to send it with a message, though, so include a sweet sentence or two about your hopes for their new plant baby.

Travel may have slowed down a bit, but the beauty of an Airbnb gift card is that they can use it for a future (even way-future) getaway, a staycation, or a virtual Airbnb experience. (Virtual wine tastings are all the rage now, haven't you heard?) If their wanderlust is flaring, use this gift to remind them that they can still escape mentally.

Gift card presentation idea: Delivery options are by email or text only, so your best option for getting creative with this gift is to write a meaningful message. You only have 150 characters, so be brief—consider writing a list of the best trips you've taken together or a single favorite (short) travel memory.

Whether they're celebrating a new addition to the family or just trying to get through a hectic holiday season, anyone is sure to appreciate a little help with meal planning. Blue Apron delivers everything they need for a healthy, delicious meal straight to their door, minimizing food waste, eliminating the need to go to the grocery store, and making meal cooking a little more enjoyable. (Of course, this gift card idea is best for those who still enjoy cooking but want to eliminate the prepwork of scouring the internet for recipes and searching for ingredients in the grocery store.)

Gift card presentation idea: Start their streak of home-cooked meals off right with a gifted one. Make a casserole, sweet treat, or bread and deliver it with the gift card tucked inside.

Equip them to donate to any cause of their choice with a TisBest charity gift card. This organization offers gift cards in any increment that recipients can then use to donate to their pick of 1.5 million leading charities. They can split their donation across organizations or pick just one for maximum impact, and TisBest can print and send custom biodegradable plastic gift cards or email an e-gift card, depending on how you want to present your gift.

Gift card presentation idea: Minimize your footprint—and respect the charitable recipient's likely ecological leanings—by sending an e-gift card with a witty message.

When you can't recall if it was Chardonnay or Cabernet that they prefer, this is the smart gift-giving solution. Meant for the holiday host who enjoys handpicking and ordering their bottle after the company has gone home.

Gift card presentation idea: Bundle the card with a set of cute coasters.

RELATED: The Best Gifts for Foodies

When you're looking for something handmade, personal, or truly one-of-a-kind, Etsy is the marketplace to scour. Finding that perfect present can be challenging when faced with so many creative and customizable options, until now. This card will allow gift recipients to purchase at any shop that accepts the gift card.

Gift card presentation idea: Make it truly personal: Package with an initial ornament or maybe a homemade batch of the recipient's favorite treat.

Never underestimate the power of the gift that gives back. A card to DonorsChoose.org lets your recipient be instrumental in improving the lives of students across the country. Making a difference can happen in a few ways: Think purchasing classroom supplies (pencils, reference books, lab materials) or browsing and choosing a specific project they're most inspired by.

Gift card presentation idea: This much love needs only a simple festive ribbon.

RELATED: Gifts That Give Back

If your friend loves trying out the latest food trends, they'll love shopping at Mouth, which sells unique, American-made indie food products. They can also try out monthly subscription boxes, such as popcorn or bacon of the month.

Gift card presentation idea: Attach to a serving tray or cheese board.

You can't beat the fruit basket, but certain people like picking their own peaches and pears. For the shopper with an all-natural mentality, this idea is worth just as much as money to spend at their favorite market.

Gift card presentation idea: A reusable bag, of course!

Help him up his grooming routine with a gift card from The Art of Shaving. The online store let customers build their own shaving kit, or purchase items such as soap, razors, and brushes separately. He can also fill out a questionnaire on the site to get personalized advice and product picks, and if he likes any of the products, he can sign up to get the shaving essentials sent to him every time he runs out.

Gift card presentation idea: Pair it with a sleek toiletry bag or dopp kit—chances are he doesn't have one (or it's worn out).

Each month your friend will get a sampling of five beauty products for skin, hair, and style. Each box is tailored to her own style and preferences, so it's truly a personalized gift. Whether she's a beauty junkie or someone who prefers a no-fuss makeup routine, she'll love trying out new and bestselling products to find her next go-tos. With the gift card, your friend can decide when to start the subscription service.

Gift card presentation idea: Place the card in a makeup pouch that she can use later to hold each month's offerings.

RELATED: Surprising Subscription Box Ideas