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Zoom is to get-togethers as e-gift cards are to meticulously wrapped presents beneath the tree. Just because we didn’t schlep through a mall or play it fast-and-loose with mail delivery services, doesn’t mean we don’t love. If you left your holiday shopping to the last minute, a digital gift is an easy way to save the day.

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Show your family, friends, co-workers, neighbours, hairdresser, mail-delivery person (though that could be seen as sarcastic), or anyone you have in your email contact list, some love this year with an e-gift card or digital gift. 

All stores below offer e-gift cards that only require your recipient’s email address. The list provides stores that are perfectly broad and yet acutely personalized, so you give your giftee thoughtful options even at the very last minute. 

Best digital gifts in Canada

Disney+

Give the gift of a Disney+ subscription this holiday season. One year of Disney+ Premium rings in at $159.99, and includes access to movies, TV shows and exclusive entertainment (though it can only be used to start a new subscription, not pay for an existing Disney+ account).

Masterclass

This streaming platform is more than just entertainment, it’s educational. Learn from the greats as they share how they mastered their field of expertise. Experts include Martha Stewart, Mindy Kaling, Neil Degrasse Tyson, Martin Scorsese and more.

Netflix

A Netflix gift can be purchased through PayPal, and shared directly to the recipient’s email address. The gift card can then be added onto an existing account or used to create a new one.

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Team Rubicon Canada

Team Rubicon is a brilliant charity. The concept of this charity is the epitome of win-win. Team Rubicon recruits, trains, equips, organizes and deploys veterans to aid in disaster relief. Not only are veterans uniquely qualified to support communities facing natural disasters, but it re-enrolls veterans in a community with a purpose. 

Team Rubicon started in 2010 as a response to the Haiti earthquake. Team Rubicon Canada started in 2016 to support one of Canada’s biggest natural disasters in history, the Fort McMurray wildfires. Read more  about Team Rubicon here and donate here. 

World Vision

This year has been a blunt reminder that we live in a global village, to reference Canadian philosopher Marshall McLuhan. The world worked together to develop a vaccine in historical timing. This year could be the perfect year to  Sponsor a Child through World Vision. Canada and World Vision do great work together, check out the current initiative,  New Canadian gender equality solution for global hunger. 

Best e-gift cards in Canada

Aritzia

Fashionable friends and family will be sure to appreciate a gift card to Vancouver’s own Aritzia. The brand has tons of cute winter gear to keep warm throughout the season, along with everyday essentials for the office or lounging.

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Amazon

A practical gift that’s sure to be used up quickly. A gift to Amazon’s vast online marketplace can be used to buy just about anything, and receive fast shipping to boot.

Etsy

Handmade gifts are the best. Especially when you eliminate all variables of actually making the gift and purchase items made by someone else’s (skilled) hands. An  Etsy e-gift card  feels extra nice this year, supporting local artisans and small businesses. 

Wayfair

The  Wayfair e-gift card  is perfect for anyone who works at home or does anything at home. Wayfair has everything for every room in every home. That’s not their slogan, but it should be. They even have outside-the-home covered, like coveted  patio heaters. Give the gift of a  Wayfair e-gift card  and leave the (exciting and) overwhelming decision-making to your giftee.

The Bay

The Bay is the oldest and longest-surviving company in North America, and it’s Canadian. Let’s support our heritage by gifting a  Hudson’s Bay e-gift card. The company was founded in 1670, but the company offers the latest and greatest and most fashionable products in most gifting categories. 

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The Bay e-gift card  is perfect for those who love their Scratch & Saves and/or their brand names. Oh! And the best thing of all, you can upload your own picture for a personalized e-gift card.

DavidsTea

DavidsTea is another well-loved Canadian company. DavidsTea offers great high-quality tea. The COVID-19 pandemic has been extremely tough on this retailer. The company had 240 retail stores and had to shut down all 42 American and 166 Canadian locations. The company is restructuring to focus on e-commerce, so it’s a perfect opportunity to gift a DavidsTea e-gift card, and support a Canadian company in need.

KiwiCo

For those who have younger humans on their gift list, KiwiCo has an extensive assortment of toys, games and gifts for kids aged 0 to 18.  Subscriptions are themed to STEAM activities (science, technology, engineering, arts and math) for a world of discovery.

Kobo

For those who love their Kobo, a  Kobo e-gift card  is an easy win. Buy the gift of the convenient word. The e-book version of a book is usually less expensive and is instantly accessible. So your giftee can get a lot more e-bang for your e-buck. 

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Indigo

Does someone on your gift list love books but also maybe more so a pillow? Or a candle? Indigo e-gift cards have got you covered. Give the gift of the written word, or items that will set the perfect environment for written word consumption — or as normal people call it — reading.

It’s never too late to send your loved ones some love this holiday season. Happy e-gifting!

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