How Much to Spend on a Gift Card
April 2, 2025
Given the numerous events throughout the year and the wide variety of gift options available, gift cards have become a popular choice. The variety of fun and festive themes or classic designs makes it easier than ever to find just the right style for each person in your life. Once you’ve picked the sophisticated or playful look you prefer, your next decision is how much to spend on a gift card. Selecting the right amount is important, so read on for ideas on the number that is ideal for each gift card you give.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Gift Card Amount
What’s the Occasion?
First, what are you celebrating? A wedding, graduation, or birthday? A baby shower or bachelorette? Or is it a kindhearted thank you gift card for a small favor? These call for different amounts that fit each individual occasion.
What's Your Relationship to the Recipient?
With the occasion in mind, the next part of this equation is the person who’s receiving the gift card. Is it for your mother, a best friend, or a coworker? It’s no surprise that you’ll consider different amounts for family or close friends and neighbors or acquaintances.
What's Your Budget?
Are you on a tighter budget? It’s important to remember it’s the thought that counts. A decorative gift card with a meaningful message is a delightful way to give a smaller amount. However, if you are able to give a gift card for a larger amount to celebrate special events or close family and friends, there are suggested ranges to help with gift card etiquette.
Suggested Gift Card Amounts by Occasion
With so many celebrations during the year, it’s good to map out what’s typically expected for each type of festivity. Prepare to spend more on big events honoring loved ones and consider the minimum gift card amount for work parties scattered on a more frequent basis.
Wedding Gifts
When it comes to gifts for the newly wedded couple, you should expect to give $100-$200 gift cards to those close to you. You could appropriately give $50-100 wedding gift cards to more distant relatives or friends.
Graduation Gifts
For a family member or close friend, a graduation gift card can run anywhere from $50-$200. If you’re giving a gift card to an acquaintance, $20-$50 is a perfect gift. Typically, college graduation gifts tend to be more generous compared to those for high school or middle school graduations.
Birthday Gifts
While a $20-$50 birthday gift card sends a special wish to a casual acquaintance, you’ll want to spend $50-$100 on gift cards for family and close friends. Shop all of the Visa birthday gift card designs.
Baby Gifts
When welcoming a new baby, you can give anywhere from $25-$100 depending on your relationship, spending between $25-$50 on coworkers or more distant friends and $50 or more for family. Looking for a gift card design to congratulate the new parents? Explore the Visa Baby Blocks Gift Card or the Visa Baby Mobile Gift Card.
Wedding Shower Gifts
Treat the bride to a $25-$75 wedding themed gift card, depending on your relationship to the bride. If you are a bridesmaid or the maid of honor, you may opt to spend a bit more. Vanilla Gift has dozens of Visa Wedding Gift Card designs that are great for wedding showers!
Thank You Gifts
If you're sending a thank you gift card to a helpful coworker, a $10-$20 gift card is a thoughtful gesture. For tasks that require more time and effort, consider a more substantial gift. For instance, if someone went above and beyond to assist you with a project, a $25-$50 gift card would be appropriate. Explore all of our Visa Thank You Gift Cards.
Suggested Gift Card Amounts by Recipient
Family Members
The closer you are, the higher the amount of your gift card for the celebration. For extended family or younger family members’ birthdays, smaller amounts are generally appropriate.
Friends
With friends, it’s important to strike a balance between being thoughtful and practical. You can deliver a meaningful gift at your selected dollar amount with a fun note and festive wrapping to add a touch of flair.
Coworkers and Acquaintances
These gifts can be more modest, considering a gift card minimum amount of $25 for many occasions. That makes it enough for them to enjoy something extra for themselves rather than a major purchase.
How to Choose the Perfect Gift Card Amount
Still trying to figure out how much to give? Here are more considerations when selecting how much to spend on a gift card.
How Will the Recipient Spend It?
Align the value of the gift card with the recipient’s interests. What would they use the card for? A $25 gift card can go far some places, but it won’t get much in others. Be mindful when you choose your gift card. A Vanilla Visa Gift Card is an excellent option because it can be used anywhere Visa is accepted in the U.S., not limiting the recipient to a single store or restaurant.
Bigger Event? Bigger Amount
Keep the thought in mind that it’s appropriate to go higher for important milestones, holidays, and birthdays, and lower for things like simple thank yous and casual events.
Tight Budget? Stick to It
Be mindful of your own budget. Whether you need to spend less or you have a calendar full of weddings ahead, choose wisely so that you can spread out the spending and keep your own budget on track.
Plan Ahead to Spend Wisely and Gift Tastefully
A Visa Gift Card is always a welcome gift because it allows the recipient the freedom to choose how and when to spend it. For big occasions like weddings and new babies, gift cards are especially appreciated to allow the person to hand-pick what they need for the next chapter of their lives. And for smaller events, gifts cards can make gifting simple yet memorable. With this article’s insight into the appropriate range for the person, the occasion, and your budget, you have a guide to map out thoughtful spending for all your upcoming events.
Custom Gift Cards FAQ
Can I choose the amount on a custom Visa Gift Card or eGift Card?
A: Yes, the custom Gift Cards and custom eGift Cards are available in the same denominations as the Visa Gift Card designs on the Vanilla Gift site, between $10 - $500.
How long will it take to receive my custom Visa Gift Card or eGift Card?
A: Shipping time for physical custom cards will depend on the shipping method chosen.
USPS – $1.95 per card, with cap of $5.95,
Orders $200 or more are shipped via FedEx
FedEx Expedited: 3-4 Business Days - $10.95
FedEx Rush: 2-3 Business Days - $17.95
Most eGift Card orders are delivered within 5 minutes but can take up to 24 hours.
Are Visa Custom Gift Cards or eGift Cards reusable?
A: No, Vanilla Visa Custom Gift Cards and Custom eGift Cards cannot be reloaded. If you want to give multiple custom-made gift cards of the same design, consider ordering more than one at a time.
Do I need to activate my custom Visa Gift Card or eGift Card?
A: Yes, the customer must activate their physical custom gift cards at balance.VanillaGift.com or by calling the toll-free phone number on the back of the Physical Gift Card (1-833-322-6760). Customer will need to provide the Gift Card Number, Valid Through Date, and Security Code located on the back of your gift card.
Vanilla Visa eGift Cards do not need to be activated prior to first use. They are activated upon purchase and shipped to the recipient’s email ready to use.
Where can custom Visa Gift Cards or eGift Cards be used?
A: Visa Gift Cards can be used anywhere Visa debit cards are accepted within the United States and the District of Columbia. Visa Gift Cards may not be used for recurring billing or at ATMs.