Why you should choose a gift card this holiday season
4 Minute Read
Summary
- Gift cards top holiday wish lists, combining flexibility and personalized giving.
- Most consumers prefer gift cards, valuing choice over traditional holiday gifts.
- CAA Members earn 5% back on gift cards through the CAA Gift Card Store.
Unwrapping a present and finding a gift card is a universal experience that can trigger a range of emotions. There’s the initial surprise, perhaps a fleeting curiosity about what the giver thinks of you, and honestly, a little sense of relief.
Once considered impersonal, gift cards and e–gift cards have undergone a real swing over the past decade. These days, they’re a standard, practical gifting alternative. The headache of trying to pick out the perfect item, followed only by the disappointment of receiving a present you don’t particularly like, are dilemmas that gift certificates are designed to avoid.
Instead, they offer a little spending power at a favourite store. For many recipients, the freedom to think about something they actually want may well be the best gift that you can give.
If you’re staring down a holiday gift list that feels more lopsided the longer you look at it, consider making some budget for gift cards this holiday season.
Why you should give gift cards in 2026
One of the top-ranked gifts year after year, consumers have increasingly come to realize that practical doesn’t necessarily mean impersonal. With gift cards available for every webstore, wholesaler and boutique under the sun, choosing the right one can feel just as intimate as a hand-picked gift.
In a recent study by PwC examining purchasing trends for the 2026 holiday season, gift cards were the most common item shoppers intend to buy. Fifty-nine per cent of respondents plan to offer them to friends and 57 per cent are eyeing one for family members.
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Nearly three quarters of gift buyers preferred purchasing gift cards over physical merchandise.
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Among those who had received gift cards the previous year, 39 per cent said that they were happier with their gift card than with physical merchandise.
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Another 57 per cent said they were equally satisfied between both categories.
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Only four per cent noted that they preferred physical gifts.
No matter where you stand, the days of gift cards being relegated to last minute stocking stuffers appear to be over.
Do people actually like gift cards?
While gift cards are convenient and easy to add to your cart, there are three bigger reasons they have exploded in popularity.
First, they offer loved ones the gift of choice. That means you can avoid the awkwardness of selecting something that will go unappreciated, or settling on something close, but slightly off, from what they’ve been dreaming of. A gift card acknowledges that we can only know so much about another person’s tastes and puts the buying power back in their hands.
Gift cards also take much of the guesswork out of holiday shopping. Buying for a romantic partner or child might be simple enough, but finding the right choice for coworkers, extended family and friends can be a major dilemma. Those grueling sessions spent wracking your brain for gift ideas can be made a lot easier with a credit for one of their favourite stores.
Lastly, a gift card gives your loved ones the opportunity to really treat themselves, especially if they save up gift cards to add more to the bottom line. With rising costs of living, many are putting off nice-to-haves in favour of everyday essentials when managing their budget.
A gift card hands them an opportunity to indulge. Think of it like giving them a mini shopping spree, where they can forget about bills and focus on the little luxuries that bring them joy.
How to make a gift card thoughtful
Whether shopping for your closest companion or a random Secret Santa pick, gift cards can be both a practical and meaningful present for all kinds of relationships.
For those you know well, identify a niche store or hobby that puts a twinkle in their eye. The gamers, bookworms, fashionistas and artists in your life are just as easy to make a pick for. Tailor it to their taste where you can.
If all else fails, offering a gift card for Uber or Tim Hortons can let even the most distant relationships know that you’re sending them a little brightness during the holiday season.
Saving on gift cards is easy with CAA
Once you’ve chosen the right card, all that’s left is to buy it. If you’re hoping to make your holiday shopping a little more rewarding, buying and reloading gift cards through the CAA Gift Card Store can earn you 5% back in CAA dollars. That means you can save on gift cards from retailers like Tim Hortons, Sephora, IKEA, Uber, H&M, Swiss Chalet, WINNERS and more.
CAA Gift Cards are now available for purchase in the CAA App.
