10 Amazing Gift Cards for Canadian Use for Our Friends up North

Just because your friends live in Canada now doesn't mean you can skip out on sending them gifts! Gift-giving internationally is, alas, a tall order. No matter what kind of gift you want to give, the shipping and handling will be challenging. In light of this, overall, greater challenge, we recommend giving gift cards to your Canadian friends!

Gift Card Granny is an excellent site where you can shop for all of your gift cards. Not sure where to start? No worries! In this article, we are covering the top 10 gift cards for Canadian use, including: 

  • Gift cards for shopping
  • Gift cards for food
  • Gift cards for clothes

Earn Cash Back On Gift Cards for Canadian Use with Gift Card Granny

As a quick reminder, we’ve pointed out all of the retailers on this list that you can find on Gift Card Granny as of this writing. Gift Card Granny makes it easy to buy and send customized gift cards online and earn cash back while you do. Gift Card Granny carries thousands of local and national brands including Visa gift cards, Mastercard gift cards, and gift cards for many of the awesome spots on this list.

Now that we’re on the same page, let’s jump right into our list!

1. Starbucks

Coffee is king — even up in Canada

Buy a Starbucks gift card

A gift card to Starbucks is almost certain to bring your Canadian friend joy. The cards can be used anywhere in North America, which is a win, and will surely bring delicious coffee drinks to your friend no matter where they are in Canada. Starbucks has grown to house so many items that it is an even safer bet, even if they don’t like coffee (which would be crazy). Your gift card could treat them to a nice breakfast sandwich, a refreshing non-coffee drink, or a pastry to start their day!

Buy a Starbucks gift card

2. Gap

Everyone needs clothes! A Gap gift card is an excellent gift

Buy a GAP gift card.

The Gap is an excellent and affordable clothing store whose gift cards are able to be used in Canada! The Gap has created an impressive mix of trendy and fun clothes at a good cost, but before getting them a Gap gift card we recommend ensuring that they either shop at Gap with regularity or are into clothing shopping. There are a lot of people out there who look at shopping for clothes as a necessary evil, and, especially if they don’t shop at Gap, your gift card might stress them out! This is the kind of card where we recommend giving them a call and throwing out the idea of shopping at the Gap to see how they respond. 

The Gap is one of many you can find at Gift Card Granny. Start earning cash back when you pick up a GAP gift card today.

3. Applebees

A meeting place for friends and family

Buy an Applebees gift card.

Applebees is a classic, chill restaurant where friends and family can go to enjoy a nice, affordable meal. It’s nothing crazy and it (likely) is not your favorite restaurant but it is a great place to meet and there is always something for everyone. On top of that, gift cards purchased in either the United States or Canada are accepted in both countries!

While Applebees might not be their favorite restaurant, we bet it isn’t their least favorite either. There are so many amazing and unique restaurants popping up nowadays, but there is something to be said about a burger enjoyed with friends and family. 

Applebees is one of many you can find at Gift Card Granny. Start earning cash back when you pick up an Applebees gift card today.

4. American Eagle Outfitters

The clothing journey continues with this gift card for Canadian use

Buy an American Eagle Outfitters gift card.

American Eagle Outfitters definitely fits in the same category as the Gap. When you go through the motions and plan out this gift card you should double-check to make sure that they would be amendable to an American Eagle trip in the near future. For people who don’t clothing shop often, a gift card like this runs the risk of getting lost in the pile as they bask in the clothes that they already have. These gift cards are redeemable in any United States or Canada store!

American Eagle Outfitters is one of many you can find at Gift Card Granny. Start earning cash back when you pick up an American Eagle Outfitters gift card today.

5. Subway

A gift card for subs on the go

Buy a Subway gift card.

An important note — only physical Subway gift cards are redeemable in the United States and Canada. When you plan out your gift, keep in mind that you must ship them a physical copy of this card. Once they’ve got it they can enjoy a number of excellent sandwiches with which to have at lunch or pick up on the way home from work. Subway is a classic, and has a bit more class than other fast-food places. For that reason (and that these gift cards can be used in Canada) we have Subway at the top of our fast-food list!

Subway is one of many you can find at Gift Card Granny. Start earning cash back when you pick up a Subway gift card today.

6. Tim Hortons

A gift card for classic Canadian coffee

Buy a Tim Horton’s gift card

It would be wrong if a Tim Horton's gift card didn’t work in Canada! Fortunately, they do, and you can treat your friend to a few cups of delicious coffee with a gift card to this place. Gift cards to coffee shops are prime targets for quick use, especially if your friend drives by one on a regular basis. There is some sort of magnetism from gift cards to their stores if you drive by and they are in your sight line. 

Buy a Tim Horton’s gift card

7. Whole Foods

Who knew grocery shopping could be so fun?

Buy a Whole Foods gift card

Grocery shopping is a bit of a chore, but a gift card to Whole Foods could be the spice they need to rejuvenate their shopping trips! There are so many amazing recipes out there for new meals, appetizers, desserts, and everything in between. If you get them a gift card to Whole Foods you could add a few recipe ideas as a bit of a bonus. Shopping for the ingredients for a specific recipe can be a lot of fun because you have a set list in mind and each item is key to making a meal you may never have made before. That little cooking adventure is a great gift, and because Whole Foods gift cards can be redeemed in both the United States and Canada, getting them a gift card should be easy!

Buy a Whole Foods gift card

8. Sephora

Get a gift card for a quality beauty product

Buy a Sephora gift card.

The world out there is tough on skin, and lots of people have their own skincare routine that’s unique to them. It may involve moisturizers, makeup, or other products to ensure that their skin remains healthy even after days and days of hard work. Getting your Canadian friend a gift card to Sephora is a great way to show that you care and allows them to stock up on their favorite products that they use every day. More than anyone, they will know which products need to be refilled, and your gift card can take a bit of the weight off of them getting that expensive bottle of hand cream that they love. 

Sephora gift cards are redeemable in both the United States and Canada! Sephora is one of many you can find at Gift Card Granny. Start earning cash back when you pick up a Sephora gift card today.

9. Amazon

The gift card of gift cards, you can never go wrong with an Amazon card

Buy an Amazon gift card

This is a no-brainer — an Amazon gift card is always a safe choice for your friend. Going with an Amazon gift card is a little less personal than some of the other cards on this list, but the options really are endless. An Amazon gift card is doubly nice for your friend because they can decide to get something small or put it towards a larger purchase. Who knows, this might be the incentive they need to finally splurge on that item they’ve been looking at! 

Gift cards from Amazon are something you can be absolutely certain will go towards something that your friend wants in their life. Unfortunately, you can’t get an Amazon gift card on Gift Card Granny quite yet, but check back soon! We’re always adding more retailers.

Buy an Amazon gift card

Take Extra Precautions on Gift Cards for Canada Use

Sending a gift card internationally is quite the task, and it would be tragic if their card did not function when it reached them. We advise an overabundance of research and certainty for the company that you plan on using as your gift card and that it is absolutely acceptable in Canada. In the next section, we will talk about what might just be your best option for sending a gift card to Canada— Visa and Mastercard prepaid cards. 

10. Visa and Mastercard Prepaid Cards

Get a prepaid Visa gift card.

The Mastercard Travel card is your best bet for sending a gift card to your friend. It is meant to be a purchase made before going on a trip to evade having to go to local banks and convert money before you go. It is prepaid, meaning you can load however much you want on it, and it is usable in Canada, among other countries. Getting your friend in Canada a gift card can be a great gift, as it takes off some of the financial weight of their day-to-day life. It can go to groceries, rent, or utilities, giving them more savings or more money to spend on something exciting.

Sending a gift to another country requires a certain amount of dedication. To ensure that your efforts are not in vain, we recommend double and triple-checking all the relevant details so that your gift card can be spent by your friend internationally, no matter where they are. If it is possible, try to get some insight from someone living there (it could even be your friend, if you aren’t planning a surprise!) on what gift cards are available locally. We are hammering this point home because of how easy it is to make a mistake somewhere along the line and once a mistake is made it is a huge pain to try and rectify it. 

If you’ve settled on getting a Mastercard prepaid travel card, only one obstacle remains — actually getting the card to them! If you’ve gotten a physical card, you have to check that your carrier is cool with shipping a credit card overseas (most of them are) and that the country won’t detain it upon its arrival. International shipping takes some time, but once you have it set and ready to go, it is out of your hands. Then, after shipping time, it will arrive to your friend, and there will be smiles all around. 

Get a prepaid Visa gift card.

And that’s a wrap on our most popular gift cards for Canada use! 

We hope that you are able to get your friend an absolutely amazing gift card that they will love! Gift cards are a fantastic way to show your appreciation and a great gift. Gift cards allow them to take the initiative, and sometimes you get to come along for the ride. Gift cards are always valuable gifts, and we hope that you have found the perfect card for the occasion with the new knowledge you possess. 

Remember: many of the retailers on this list are available at Gift Card Granny, where you can earn cashback and rewards on all of your gift card purchases. 

From all of us here at Gift Card Granny, happy shopping!