Top Holiday Gift Card Brands: Individual vs Family Experiences

As the holiday season approaches, gift cards remain a top choice for both gift-givers and recipients, with 80% of workers preferring a gift card over other types of gifts. The flexibility, convenience, and personalization they offer make them a perfect holiday present, especially when it comes to catering to different generations and group activities.  

This year, GiftCard Partners has identified some of the top gift card picks, whether you're buying for individuals to use for themselves or for their families. In this post, we'll explore the top gift card brands, highlighting trends in gift card preferences for different age groups and use cases. 

Gift Cards for Individuals: Tailored to Every Generation 

1. Beauty and Pampering Gift Cards for Gen Z: Gen Z continues to prioritize self-care, beauty, and wellness, making beauty and pampering gift cards a perfect choice for this generation. Delight them with brands like Fragrancenet.com, Sephora, and Ulta Beauty, which offer a wide selection of products from skincare to cosmetics, ensuring that recipients can pamper themselves in their own way. 
2. Open-Loop Visa^® or American Express^® for Millennials: Millennials value flexibility, and nothing offers more freedom than an open-loop gift card. With a steady rise in demand for versatile gift options, Visa^® Reward Virtual Accounts and American Express^® Virtual Reward Cards are ideal because they can be used anywhere. Millennials, now in their prime spending years, are looking for ways to cover daily expenses, make meaningful purchases, or indulge in something special. These cards offer the perfect blend of practicality and choice. 
3. Dining/Restaurants for Boomers: Baby Boomers, many of whom are nearing or enjoying retirement, often prioritize experiences over material goods. Dining out is a favored activity, making restaurant gift cards a great holiday option for this group. With 85% of Boomers valuing dining as a social activity and a way to spend time with family, gift cards to Applebee’s^®, Darden Restaurants, or the Brinker family of restaurants offer a memorable dining experience they can enjoy with loved ones. 
4. Multi-Brand Gift Cards for Everyone: Multi-brand gift cards are increasingly popular because they offer recipients the flexibility to choose their own reward. For the holidays, gift cards that allow access to multiple retailers and experiences are an excellent choice for the 36% of consumers who reported their preference for a multibrand gift card. The Engage2Reward™ Choice Card is an excellent option, allowing the recipient access to hundreds of digital gift card brands through the Engage2Reward™ Gift Card Ordering Platform. Whether redeemed for retail shopping, dining, or entertainment, these gift cards are perfect for those who want to explore different options or cater to their family’s diverse interests. 

Gift Cards for Groups: Shared Experiences 

This holiday season is all about shared experiences and activities with family and friends. Many employees are now opting for gift cards that can be enjoyed with a group. In fact, 78% of young employees would rather spend money on experiences rather than material goods, highlighting a growing trend toward collective experiences rather than individual gifts. 

1. Activities: Whether it’s a fun outing with friends or a family day, activity-based gift cards like Dave & Buster's and AMC Theatres are perfect for bringing people together. 
2. Dining: For family dinners or team celebrations, dining gift cards continue to be a favorite. Darden Restaurants, which includes popular brands such as Olive Garden and LongHorn Steakhouse, offers a variety of dining experiences suitable for any occasion. Whether it's a casual family meal or a formal team dinner, these gift cards allow groups to come together and enjoy a meal out during the holiday season. 
3. Travel: For those looking to gift experiences that go beyond the local scene, gift cards for Hotels.com^® are an excellent choice. As travel continues to recover, families and teams are looking for ways to get away together. With hundreds of thousands of places to stay in 200 countries and territories, recipients can find accommodations that suit their travel needs. Disney gift cards are another choice that’s sure to please. Redeemable for Disney Park tickets, dining, hotels, and shopping, a Disney gift card offers endless possibilities for fun for the whole family. 

Gift Cards are a Holiday Winner 

The holiday gift card market continues to evolve, with recent data showing significant preference for gift cards this season: 

• Universally loved: 90% of survey respondents consider gift cards an appropriate item to give, making them a popular gift choice that’s guaranteed to please. 

• Gift of freedom: 72% of holiday gift card buyers want recipients to be able to select their own gifts, ensuring they are happy with the selection. 

Begin Your Holiday Gifting Strategy Today 

This holiday season, gift cards are once again taking center stage, offering flexibility, choice, and the opportunity for shared experiences. Whether you’re gifting for an individual or for a family or team, gift card trends show that recipients value both personal rewards and group activities. From beauty and dining to entertainment and travel, there’s a gift card for everyone on your list.  

The Engage2Reward Gift Card Ordering Platform makes it easier than ever to bulk order these top gift card brands, whether for personalized gifts or company-wide incentives, ensuring that everyone gets a gift they’ll love. As you prepare for the holiday season, consider these top gift card picks to spread joy, reward achievements, and foster connections through shared experiences. Register your business for an account on the Engage2Reward Platform and start your corporate gifting today!