Comparing single-brand vs multi-brand vs thematic gift cards

Comparing Single-Brand vs Multi-Brand vs Thematic Gift Cards

Gift cards have become a central part of personal gifting, employee appreciation, and customer engagement programmes. However, with multiple formats available, it’s important to understand the differences between single-brand, multi-brand, and thematic gift cards. Each format serves a different purpose and offers unique advantages depending on the occasion and the needs of the recipient. A clear comparison helps individuals and companies choose the right format, especially when planning large-scale or event-based gifting.

What Are Single-Brand Gift Cards?

Single-brand gift cards are tied to one specific brand. They are ideal when you know the recipient’s preferences or when the occasion calls for a specific experience.

• Usable only at the selected brand
• Great for fans of a particular store or service
• Popular for fashion, dining, entertainment, and electronics
• Often used in niche campaigns or targeted gifting

These cards work well when the sender is confident about the recipient’s tastes.

What Are Multi-Brand Gift Cards?

Multi-brand gift cards offer more flexibility by allowing recipients to choose from a wider range of brands across categories. They work well for mixed groups with varied preferences.

• Accepted across multiple brands or shopping categories
• Suitable for general gifting, rewards, and corporate use
• Useful for milestone rewards, festivals, and team events
• Gives recipients broader choice without restriction

These cards reduce uncertainty and are often seen as a safe and practical gifting option.

What Are Thematic Gift Cards?

Thematic gift cards combine the best of both formats by offering curated choices based on a theme or occasion. Instead of listing unrelated brands, these cards group options that match the event—birthday, wedding, festival, corporate, or wellness.

• Curated around a theme to give the gift more meaning
• Ideal for events where relevance matters
• Works for both personal and corporate gifting
• Balances freedom of choice with thoughtful curation

These cards are increasingly used for bulk gifting because they maintain a personal touch at scale.

Key Differences at a Glance

• Single-brand: Best when the brand preference is known.
• Multi-brand: Best when you want to offer maximum flexibility.
• Thematic: Best when you want relevance + flexibility together.

Which Gift Card Should You Choose?

The right choice depends on the purpose of gifting and the nature of the audience.

Choose Single-Brand Cards When:

• You know the recipient’s favourite brand
• The gift is meant to feel specific and intentional
• You’re rewarding category-specific behaviour (e.g., fitness, gaming)

Choose Multi-Brand Cards When:

• You want to cover different types of preferences
• The audience is large or diverse
• The purpose is general appreciation or celebration

Choose Thematic Cards When:

• The occasion defines the gift (festivals, birthdays, weddings)
• You want something more meaningful than a generic card
• You’re managing large-scale gifting and need simplicity

The Role of Thematic Gift Cards in Modern Gifting

Thematic gift cards provide a balanced and relevant approach to gifting. They offer the variety of multi-brand cards while keeping the experience focused and purpose-driven. This makes them ideal for festive gifting, corporate events, milestones, and personal celebrations where thoughtfulness matters as much as convenience.

As gifting becomes more digital, thematic gift cards continue to grow in popularity because they offer an easy yet meaningful experience for both senders and recipients.