How to gift an Iphone 5

Hi everybody. I'm looking for how I can go about gifting a phone to a family member. I have tried to educate myself about how to do this but I'm still quite confused. I've been reading about non-contract phones, unlocked phones, SIM cards, and it is all quite confusing for me. I am good at following directions though, so I'm going to rely on you guys.

The gist: I'm on Verizon, I use an I5 I got subsidized on my plan. I want to get an I5 for a family member. This person is NOT on my plan, has a dumb phone, and is on Verizon.

Let's assume they have no upgrades, etc, and I am going to pay retail for the phone and give to them, and have them activate it on their line.

How should I go about doing this? Are there any that can be unboxed and just activate on their line on the spot?

Thanks everyone

Mrbobb said:

If this is a "very close" family members you could set the person into your family plan.

However, if this person doesn't live with you, not your immediate kin, keeping things separate is usually a better idea, meaning let them sign up with whoever carrier they desire.

Now, CAREFUL. We all know the purchase of a smart phone is not the end of the expense. The Cost-Of-Ownership of a smart phone and the on-going monthly bill is actually the biggest cost. So if you are gifting this phone to a cousin, make sure their parents approve of this, else the parents may feel they are being pushed into subsidizing the phone's expense by you, not your intention am sure.

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Person does not live with me and we will never be on the same plans. The person is currently on Verizon and will be staying with Verizon for the long time foreseeable future.

This person is an adult. The person is more than willing to front the additional few bucks a month for an iphone.

Assume everything else is true, and that the only thing they cannot do is purchase one, which I am doing for them.