See if you can spot the difference in these two scenarios.

1. Your boss walks by, sets a coffee mug on your desk and mutters “happy holidays”.
2. Your boss wraps that coffee mug in glossy red wrapping paper, ties a bow around it with golden ribbon. Under the ribbon, she tucks a signed, handwritten note addressed to you with a thoughtful holiday wish.

It’s the same gift, right?

In a 2012 study, managers handed some employees cash. They handed another group of employees the same amount of cash, but they took the time and care to create origami art out of the money. Researchers found worker productivity increased 30 percent for the latter group.

The difference is the recipient experience. And the recipient experience matters (often more than the gift itself).

Often, the ease of sending digital gifts can come at the sacrifice of that personal touch. Fortunately, we’ve got lots of ideas about how to make your gift feel special (it’s kind of our thing!)

Premium Is In The Packaging

You click a link and instead of a cold, impersonal code, you’re greeted by a splash of warm colors, a personalized greeting, and a digital envelope to open. It’s not just another item in your inbox; it’s an event. A digital drumroll, if you will.

“Gifts feel more special when they’re wrapped. Things feel more thoughtful when they include a card. Things that look nice have a bigger impact on the recipient. It makes them feel premium, even if they are the same gift.” - Zach Eisenstat

Think about the usual suspects: an Amazon gift card delivered via email feels about as personal as an auto-reply. But a custom landing page? That stands out. It’s what turns a transaction into a moment, and that’s what stays with people long after the gift is used.

Your Gift Shouldn't Require An Instruction Manual

Think back to the last time you assembled a toy or piece of furniture. Instructions were involved, possibly some frustration, and maybe a leftover screw that left you puzzled. Now, ask yourself, is that the experience you want for someone receiving your gift? Of course not.

Gift-giving is an art form, and the last thing it should come with is homework. It’s supposed to be a seamless, pleasant surprise, not a treasure hunt. So, make it easy to open and easy to use. For digital cards, that means letting them spend their gift how, where, and when they want to spend it.

Gifts shouldn’t expire

At Giftly we don’t believe in expiration dates. If your recipient isn’t ready to buy something with their digital card yet, that shouldn’t be a big deal. True generosity doesn’t come with a countdown.

Of course, as time passes, it can be easy for a digital gift to get buried under a mountain of daily deals and newsletters in your recipient’s inbox. That’s no problem either. With a corporate gifting company like Giftly, you get a simple 'resend' option.

Your Recipient Deserves The White Glove Treatment

Too often, the thrill of receiving a digital gift is dimmed by the dull haze of automated customer service. You're left navigating a maze of "Press 1 for X" with all the warmth of a cold, forgotten coffee. That’s not the memory you want to leave with someone.

“Companies will gift you a card or something physical from a big box store. Oncy ou redeem that gift, now you are in that megacorporate’s system instead. Try calling support for a big box store. That feeling sucks.” - Zach Eisenstat

You want your recipient to feel like the VIP of a grand event, not just another ticket holder. Exceptional customer service is the hallmark of a premium gifting experience. From the moment the gift is chosen to the instant it is redeemed, the recipient should expect, and receive, all the support they need.

Personalization Means More Than [Your Name Here]

Personalization is the linchpin of a meaningful gift. It is the difference between being one of many and being one-of-a-kind. 

In a physical gift, it might be a handwritten note or a custom engraving. For digital gifts, personalization takes the form of tailored messages, unique visual themes, and an interactive experience that feels distinctly for the recipient. It’s about creating an experience that reflects the recipient's personality.

Choice

Lots of gifting companies give recipients a choice. But it’s usually between just a handful of big brands. You want to give your recipient a coffee? They have to pick between Peet’s, Starbucks, or Dunkin’ Donuts. If they aren’t a fan, or they don’t have one of those close by, well, tough.

Or, they find themselves weighing costs and benefits to make the “optimal” decision. They tell themselves they spend a lot on Amazon, so maybe they should redeem your gift with that company. But, they also love Ted Lasso, so maybe it’s smarter to go with an Apple card.

Now what you’ve done is turn what was supposed to be something fun into something stressful for your recipient.

With Giftly, recipients can redeem their card without committing themselves to a specific company. Then, they can spend the money where and when they want.

Put Your Recipient First With Giftly

Giftly redefines the digital gifting experience with a personal touch. Creating and sending a card is a breeze, leading to a beautifully designed, dynamic landing page for recipients. It's not just about giving; it's about giving beautifully, with options to personalize every aspect from messages to design elements, ensuring your gift is as special as the person receiving it

Our dedicated customer support team provides a seamless experience from purchase to redemption, including those thoughtful presents redeemable even at local shops without their own gift cards. This is the art of gifting made simple, made personal, made for lasting impressions.

Ready for a better way to gift? Let Giftly show you how.