The
National Retail Federation says that 10 percent of shoppers won’t complete their gift list this year until Christmas Eve. So where do you go when shipping deadlines have long since passed, and the stores no longer carry the must have gift of the year? This guide should help.
Gifting digital video content
Everyone loves movies. This year, it has never been easier to stream video content -- not just on mobile devices, but also on televisions, computers, and gaming systems.
Netflix continues to offer the most, in terms of video content. However, Amazon and Hulu also offer popular streaming video packages.
A one-month gift subscription for
Netflix streaming is $7.99. You can also buy subscriptions in other monthly allotments. For example, a three-month subscription costs $23.97, while a one-year subscription will set you back $95.88.
Amazon offers three ways to
send gift cards: Email, Facebook, or Print at Home. You can also use one-day shipping and have a gift card sent in the mail with a greeting card, or gift box. These cards can be redeemed anywhere on the Amazon website.
With Hulu Plus, mobile users can stream video content from
multiple providers. The service primarily focuses on providing television content, although it also contains a film library. As with Netflix,
monthly subscriptions to Hulu Plus begin at $7.99.
Other streaming video services worth checking out are
Redbox Instant by Verizon,
Target Ticket, and
Walmart’s Vudu.
Gifting E-Books
Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and now, Apple’s iBooks, make it easy to gift e-books.
At Amazon, find the Kindle Book you wish to send, and then click “Give as a Gift” at the right hand side of the screen. From there, follow the payment instructions.
Barnes & Noble offers eGift cards, or you can gift specific titles. Select “Buy As Gift” next to the book title at
bn.com.
In the iBookstore, select the book you’d like to gift. Then, tap on the share button, followed by the Gift icon if you’re on an iOS device. On a Mac or PC, click the drop-down arrow next to the price. Click “Gift This Book" to confirm.
Please note that Apple mobile device owners can access these gifts via the free
Kindle,
Nook, and
iBooks apps, respectively.
Gifting apps
Apps make the perfect holiday gift -- especially for those who receive a new iPhone or iPad this season.
In the App Store, select the app or game you’d like to gift. Then follow the directions mentioned above for gifting books in the iBookstore.
Gifting in the Apple Store
Apple Store Gift Cards can be used at an Apple Retail Store, in the Apple Online Store, or on the phone by calling 1-800-MY-APPLE. These are available in any amount between $25 and $2,000.
These cards cannot be redeemed in the iTunes Music Store.
Buy discounted iTunes Gift Cards
Many retailers sell physical and electronic iTunes Gift Cards. At this time of year, some also offer discounts on these cards.
Target, for example, is running a
special promotion online where customers can buy $15, $25, $50, and $100 iTunes Gift Cards for $13.50, $22.50, $45, and $90, respectively.
PayPal is offering 20 percent off on electronic iTunes Gift Cards between now and Christmas Day. This drops the price of the $25, $50, and $100 cards to $20, $40, and $80, respectively.
We hope this guide helps you complete your holiday gift list. We'll continue to highlight other last minute shopping ideas and offers, as warranted.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from all of us at AppAdvice.
