According to the 2008 Pre-Holiday Outlook poll conducted by NRN and Hartman researchers, over half of customers surveyed plan to purchase at least one gift card this holiday season and many are turning to the internet for their holiday shopping needs, both for the convenience and to save on the cost of gasoline.
To meet customer demand, many major retailers are offering the ability to create unique, custom gift cards with personalized messages on their websites, turning what was once thought of as a hurried last-minute gift into a creative form of self-expression.
Macy's Custom Gift Card and E-Gift Card
Macy's department store has two options for buying custom gift cards online. A Macy's E-Gift Card is available to send directly to the recipient's email address along with a personal gift message. The more familiar plastic gift cards can be personalized by uploading a digital photo or by selecting amongst 16 different background patterns. Personal messages can also be added with font, color and text size are adjustable.
Customized Macy's gift cards are available in even dollar amounts between $10 and $1000, plus the $3.05 personalization fee. Each gift card comes with a personalized special occasion or holiday greeting card. A selection of exterior designs are able to be chosen from and the interior can be customized by inserting a personal message and photo. Standard shipping is free for gift cards and takes 5-9 business days. E-Gift cards are sent within 24 hours.
Starbucks Customized Gift Cards
Customized Starbucks Gift Cards are available online at the Starbucks website. Four themes are available for selection, each offering the option of including a personalized message on the front. The "My Drink as Art" gift cards allow buyers to create the perfect Starbucks beverage image with over ten pages of options while the "My Story" card allows customers to visually recreate themselves, or the recipient, enjoying their favorite drink in one of ten settings. Customers can choose from a variety of hair styles, clothing options and accessories before finalizing their decision.
Personalized gift cards are available in $15, $25, $50 and $100 denominations, plus the additional $4 customization fee. Each come with a personalized complimentary carrier or custom greeting card. Standard shipping is free and takes 7-12 business days.
Travelocity Customized Hotel Gift Cards
Online travel agency Travelocity is offering customers the ability to create customized gift cards redeemable at over 55,000 hotels online. Uploaded digital images can be used to design personalized cards and imposed over a selection of background colors and designs. Personal messages can also be added before selecting an accompanying greeting card, where text can be added to the inside and rear panels.
Travelocity gift cards are available in $25, $50, $100 and $500 amounts plus a $4.50 customization and professing fee. USPS Standard shipping is available for $0.42 and takes approximately 7-10 business days.
Several other retailers are also offering custom gift cards, including Borders, Sears and Lowes. Buying customized gift cards online adds a personal touch to last-minute gifts and can same time, fuel and the headache of driving to a commercial shopping center.
