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Top 8 holiday gift cards for employees and customers

Tango provides an extensive selection of gift cards designed to simplify your gift-giving process and eliminate extra stress.

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The seasons have finally changed again. There's a fresh bite to the breeze, leaves are falling, and the distant sound of holiday music is getting louder. The holidays are finally here, and with them, the time for Christmas gift ideas and gift-giving is in full swing.

We're all familiar with the seasonal search for finding the perfect gift, but selecting the right item for everyone can be difficult. Whether it's for family members, friends, or colleagues, we've all shopped for someone who seems impossible to shop for. This is where the simplicity of a gift card becomes a lifesaver.

The challenge, though, is finding a gift card that is both meaningful and convenient for the recipient.

Tango provides an extensive selection of gift cards designed to simplify your gift-giving process and eliminate extra stress. Whether for the gadget guru in your life, the friend who's always ahead of the latest fashion trends, or the work colleague who appreciates gourmet food, our partnerships with top brands ensure you’ll find something for everyone.

Here are just a few of the many brands we work with:

  • Macy's
  • Starbucks
  • Nordstrom
  • Best Buy
  • Amazon
  • Cabelas
  • Disney
  •  Kohls
  • and hundreds of other popular brands

The range of gift cards in our catalog works with any spending limit and offers the flexibility to shop from the comfort of your office or home.

Here are the top 8 holiday gift cards

Gift cards are perfect as thoughtful tokens of appreciation for employees and clients alike. Tango simplifies this process for businesses by presenting a variety of gift card options that resonate with every type of recipient.

To assist you in your selection, we’ve curated a list of gift card choices that are particularly popular during the holiday season:

Macy's

Give the gift of choice this holiday season with a Macy's gift card. Macy's is a timeless retailer with over 600 locations across the U.S. They offer a huge selection of items including clothing, accessories, home furnishings, and beauty products. These gift cards can be used for purchases at any Macy's store or online, and have no expiration dates.

Available gift card denominations: $5, $25, $50, and $100

Best Buy

For those who love tech, Best Buy offers an impressive array of electronics, from cutting-edge computers and smart phones to gaming consoles and smart home gadgets.

Available gift card denominations: $5 - $500

Starbucks

For the office worker or the on-the-go freelancer, Starbucks' reputation for great coffee blends and delicious treats is uncontested. Gifting a Starbucks card means giving the joy of a warm sip or a refreshing beverage, plus the option to pick up some stylish branded merchandise in their stores.

Available gift card denominations: $5 - $500

Sephora

Sephora is a popular beauty retailer that offers a wide range of makeup, skincare, and haircare products from both well-known and indie brands. With thousands of products to choose from, Sephora gift cards are perfect for anyone who loves experimenting with their beauty routine or who may be looking for their new go-to self-care product.

Available gift card denominations: $10 - $250

Airbnb

Give the gift of exploration and relaxation with an Airbnb gift card. Airbnb's extensive collection of unique accommodations covers the globe, ensuring there's a place to stay for everyone regardless of their personal taste and adventure level. Gift a stay in a cozy mountainside resort or a sleek city apartment, the choice is up to the recipient.

Available gift card denominations: $25 -$500

Disney

For that friend or family member with an encyclopedic knowledge of Disney characters, who can sing every Disney tune, consider a gift card to the Disney Store or Walt Disney World Resort. These gift cards have a variety of choices, from films to souvenirs and a wide range of Disney-themed merchandise.

Available gift card denominations: $5 - $1000

Amazon

Picking a gift for the person who has everything can be tough, but that's where Amazon gift cards come into play. They give recipients a world of choices, from the latest gadgets to stylish home decor to the trendiest apparel. And with Amazon Prime's quick delivery service and global delivery options, it's the perfect present for friends, family, or employees—no matter where they live.

Available gift card denominations: $.01 - $2000

Reward Link

Still stumped on what to get that one person who's notoriously hard to shop for? Look no further than Reward Link. This versatile option gives your recipients access to a catalog full of hundreds of top gift cards, prepaid cards, and charitable donations. With so many options to choose from, it's almost impossible for your recipient not to find something they love.

Available gift card denominations: $0.1 - $2000

Tips for buying holiday gift cards

Purchasing gift cards seems straightforward, but a few smart strategies ensure your gifts deliver maximum value and joy while avoiding common pitfalls. Follow these tips to make your holiday gift card shopping smooth and successful.

Match the card to the recipient’s interests

The most meaningful gift cards reflect what you know about the recipient. Generic cards work in a pinch, but thoughtful selection shows genuine consideration.

Pay attention throughout the year to what people mention—their favorite coffee shop, stores they browse, hobbies they pursue, or services they use regularly. Social media often reveals interests and preferences that inform smart gift card choices.

Consider lifestyle factors too. Remote employees might appreciate home office retailers or food delivery services. Frequent travelers value airline or hotel gift cards. Parents with young children often welcome cards for family restaurants or entertainment venues. Fitness enthusiasts appreciate athletic retailers or wellness services.

When in doubt, multi-brand platforms like Reward Link eliminate guesswork by offering choice across hundreds of retailers. Recipients select what matters most to them, ensuring your gift lands perfectly regardless of how well you know their preferences.

Check for hidden fees before buying

Not all gift cards are created equal. Some carry fees that erode value—activation fees, monthly maintenance fees, or dormancy charges that kick in after periods of inactivity.

Before purchasing, read the fine print carefully. Reputable retailers typically don't charge fees, but third-party cards or prepaid debit cards sometimes do. Understanding terms upfront prevents disappointed recipients who discover their $50 card is actually worth less.

Digital gift cards from major brands through platforms like Tango typically have no hidden fees, making them transparent and trustworthy gift options. The face value is what recipients receive—no surprises or deductions.

Inspect packaging to prevent tampering

Gift card fraud occurs when criminals tamper with physical cards in stores, recording card numbers and PINs before legitimate purchase. They monitor the cards and drain funds once activated.

When buying physical cards in retail stores, inspect packaging carefully. Look for signs of tampering—torn packaging, misaligned stickers, exposed scratch-off areas, or cards that feel loose in their packaging. If anything seems off, select a different card or buy from a different location.

Digital gift cards purchased directly from brands or through secure platforms like Tango eliminate this risk entirely. There's no physical card to tamper with, and delivery goes straight from the secure source to the recipient.

Purchase only from trusted retailers

Stick with reputable sources when buying gift cards. Purchase directly from the brand's website, from major retailers like grocery or drugstore chains, or through established gift card platforms with strong security measures.

Avoid auction sites, classified ads, or unfamiliar websites offering discounted gift cards. While deals seem attractive, these cards may be fraudulent, already used, or obtained through illegitimate means. The "savings" aren't worth the risk of worthless cards or potential legal complications.

Tango partners directly with major brands, ensuring every gift card is legitimate, secure, and backed by the actual retailer. This direct relationship provides peace of mind that your gifts will work exactly as expected.

Review expiration dates and terms

While federal law protects consumers with minimum five-year expiration requirements for retail gift cards, some cards still have restrictions or conditions worth understanding before purchase.

Check whether cards expire and if so, when. Verify redemption methods—online only, in-store only, or both. Confirm geographic restrictions if gifting to recipients in different regions. Understand any conditions around returns, exchanges, or combining with other offers.

Many popular retailers now offer gift cards with no expiration dates, providing maximum flexibility for recipients to use them when convenient. Digital cards often include full terms in the delivery email, making it easy for recipients to understand their options.

Protect gift cards like you would cash

Gift cards represent real money and should be guarded accordingly. Treat them with the same security you'd apply to cash or credit cards.

For physical cards, keep them in secure locations. Don't leave them visible in cars or easily accessible areas. Record card numbers and PINs separately from the cards themselves so you can report loss or theft.

For digital cards, forward gift card emails to a secure email folder rather than leaving them in general inboxes. Be cautious about sharing gift card details or photos of cards on social media—scammers monitor for exposed card numbers.

Never share gift card information with unsolicited callers or emailers. Legitimate companies won't request gift card numbers as payment or verification. This is a common scam tactic.

Verify where the card can be used

Some gift cards have broader acceptance than others. Understanding redemption options ensures recipients can actually use your gift conveniently.

Single-brand cards work only at that specific retailer—online, in-store, or both depending on terms. Multi-brand platforms like Reward Link offer broader choice, letting recipients select from hundreds of options.

For employees or customers in different countries, verify international usability. Some cards work globally while others are region-specific. Tango's catalog supports over 80 countries and 20 currencies, making international gifting straightforward.

Also consider online versus physical store requirements. Increasingly digital lifestyles mean many recipients prefer or require online redemption options. Confirm the card matches how recipients actually shop.

Holiday gift cards for employees don’t have to be impersonal

Some professionals worry about the perception of holiday gift cards for employees and wonder if they come across as impersonal. Ultimately, the meaningfulness of any gift comes down to presentation. Any gift you send—whether it’s a gift card or a specific item—has the potential to fall flat without context. It’s the personal note, thank-you email, or attached card that really conveys appreciation. E-gift cards for employees don’t have to be impersonal. In fact, many of our customers create meaningful reward experiences by customizing their email templates to include personalized and specific thank-you messages.

How to deliver holiday gift cards for employees with a personalized touch

Reward Link® is our most popular solution—and for good reason. It’s the fastest, easiest way to send a choice of gift cards via email. Many of our customers use it to deliver end-of-year gift card rewards. Our email templates can be customized with a personal message, ensuring the rewards you send leave a lasting impression. Plus, we offer a variety of holiday-themed email templates you can choose from.

Some of our customers take customization a step further to create a reward experience that’s aligned with their company’s brand and messaging. 

Customize your employee holiday gift cards with our options

With our standard Reward Link offering, you can send unique email templates with branded headers and personalized messages. To make your Reward Link stand out with additional customization options, you can pay a one-time, set-up fee of $450.

Holiday-inspired employee gift cards and Reward Link designs

We offer several holiday-inspired Reward Link designs, which are available to you at no additional cost.

The reward experience for recipients

Curious what the reward experience is like for recipients? They simply click the URL in the email and choose the gift card they want.

Features and benefits of using Tango

At Tango, we offer more to our customers than just a convenient way to purchase gift cards. We provide a comprehensive reward solution that brings a multitude of advantages to both businesses and individuals.

By leveraging Tango, businesses can enhance customer loyalty, drive repeat purchases, and boost their overall brand image. Individual recipients can also enjoy the flexibility of choosing from a wide range of gift card options, experiencing a seamless and user-friendly platform, and accessing email and phone support as needed.

Access to a global reward catalog

With Tango, you have access to an extensive reward catalog featuring over 3,100+ popular gift cards, prepaid cards, and charitable donations. Whether you're rewarding employees, clients, or consumers, there's something for everyone.

The best part? Our reward catalog supports over 80 countries and 20 different currencies, making it a truly global solution.

Detailed reporting features

Say goodbye to the hassle of manually maintaining spreadsheets and tracking documents. With Tango, you can effortlessly manage and analyze gift card usage and redemption rates through our free, user-friendly dashboard.

Gain valuable insights into your reward program's performance, empowering you to make informed decisions and enhance the effectiveness of your reward strategies. Simplify your rewards management and unlock the full potential of your incentive program with Tango.

Security and compliance

At Tango, we understand that the security of your business is paramount to achieving success. That's why we go above and beyond to maintain a state of vigilance across a wide spectrum of compliance areas, including strict adherence to PCI and ISO regulations.

Our dedicated team takes care of all security, leaving you with the peace of mind knowing that your reward program is in capable hands.

Exceptional customer service

At Tango, we are deeply committed to providing top-tier customer service, guaranteeing that each engagement with your reward recipients is memorable. Our responsive team is prepared to address any questions or challenges that you might have.

Working with Tango means more than just selecting a gift card provider—you're choosing a dependable partner, devoted to improving your business's reward program.

Testimonials and feedback

At Tango, we have a long history of helping businesses with their reward programs and giving their recipients great experiences. But don't take our word for it. Check out what our clients are saying about us.

Why gift cards work well as last-minute holiday gifts

The holidays often arrive faster than we expect, leaving many scrambling for last-minute gift solutions. Gift cards excel in these scenarios, providing thoughtful presents even when time is limited.

Send instantly with digital delivery

Digital gift cards eliminate shipping time entirely. Purchase and send gifts in minutes, with recipients receiving them instantly via email or text message. This immediacy makes digital cards perfect for those moments when you realize you've forgotten someone or when unexpected gift needs arise.

No waiting for mail delivery. No rushing to stores before they close. No concerns about packages arriving late. Digital delivery means you can send meaningful gifts even on holidays themselves, ensuring no one feels forgotten regardless of tight timelines.

Tango streamlines bulk sending too. Send dozens or hundreds of gift cards simultaneously, each with personalized messages, in just minutes. This efficiency is invaluable for businesses managing employee or customer appreciation programs under holiday deadlines.

Choose from a wide range of retailers

Last-minute shopping often means limited selection as popular items sell out. Gift cards sidestep this problem entirely—they're never out of stock and offer recipients access to full product catalogs regardless of when they redeem.

With platforms offering hundreds of brand options, last-minute doesn't mean limited choice. Recipients access the same extensive selection whether you planned months ahead or decided yesterday. The breadth of options ensures appropriate gifts for anyone regardless of how little time you have to consider preferences.

This variety also means one solution works for multiple recipients. Rather than shopping for different gifts across different stores—which is time-consuming even under normal circumstances—you can handle all your gifting through one platform efficiently.

Personalize with messages and designs

Digital gift cards include customization options that add personal touches even in rushed situations.

Holiday-themed designs immediately signal seasonal celebration. Select festive templates featuring winter imagery, holiday colors, or celebratory graphics that set the right tone.

More importantly, include personalized messages expressing genuine appreciation or warm wishes. Even a brief, sincere note transforms a quick gift into a meaningful gesture. Adding specific details—mentioning the recipient's name, referencing something they did, or including a warm personal sentiment—creates connection despite time constraints.

Tango's customization features make this easy, offering both pre-designed holiday templates and the ability to add personal messages that make recipients feel valued rather than like afterthoughts.

Useful for any recipient

When time is short, understanding what people want becomes guesswork. Gift cards eliminate this uncertainty by giving recipients choice in their own rewards.

They're also universally appropriate across ages, genders, and life stages. The same solution works for teenagers and grandparents, single professionals and large families, urban dwellers and rural residents. This versatility simplifies decision-making when you're short on time.

Options like Reward Link maximize this usefulness by offering something for everyone—entertainment, dining, retail, technology, travel, and more—all in one gift.

Avoid holiday shipping delays

Holiday shipping delays plague late-season shopping. Overwhelmed carriers, weather disruptions, and increased package volumes create unpredictable delivery timelines. Gifts ordered even weeks in advance sometimes arrive late or not at all.

Digital gift cards completely bypass these logistics challenges. This reliability provides peace of mind during chaotic holiday seasons. You know gifts will arrive on time because there's no physical journey involved—just instant digital delivery from you to your recipient. 

For businesses managing employee or customer gifting at scale, this reliability is particularly valuable. You can confidently promise holiday delivery without worrying about shipping backlogs or missed deadlines affecting your commitments.

Where to buy holiday gift cards online

Purchasing holiday gift cards online offers convenience, security, and often better selection than physical retailers. Several reputable sources provide reliable options.

Tango specializes in business gift card solutions, offering the technology, catalog, and service that organizations need to run effective reward programs efficiently and securely. Book a demo.

Have questions? We have answers.

Are there any fees or contracts?

The Tango portal is free to use. Customers typically only pay the value of the rewards, incentives, or payouts they send.

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Do you offer a physical card?

Yes. Customers can choose whether to send a physical or digital reward.

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How do we get started?

First, create your free account with Tango. Once your account is set up, you can begin sending out rewards immediately.

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Can we brand a Tango card with our logo or include a personal message?

Absolutely. Our platform offers the option to personalize the reward you send with your company's logo and a personalized message.

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What exactly is Tango?

Tango is a tech company specializing in digital rewards and incentives tailored for business use.

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