How do you use a gift card for the first time?

Okay, so you got a gift card, huh? Awesome! But now you’re staring at it like, “Okay… what now?” I totally get that. I remember getting my first gift card to a bookstore, and I was so excited, but also, kinda clueless.

First things first: flip that baby over! Usually, on the back, there’s gonna be a website or a phone number listed. That’s your starting point. Why? Well, sometimes, you actually need to activate the gift card before you can use it. I know, right? An extra step!

What does activation usually involve? They’ll likely ask for the card’s ID number – that long string of digits – and maybe a PIN. That PIN might be hidden under a scratch-off area, so grab a coin or your fingernail (carefully!) and reveal it.

Now, if you bought the gift card at a store, like, physically handed over cash or swiped your card at the register, chances are the cashier already activated it for you. They usually do that as part of the purchase process. But hey, double-checking never hurts, right? Just to be sure you don’t end up embarrassed at the checkout. Trust me, been there, done that!