15 Ways to Spend an Apple Gift Card You Received for Christmas

[MacRumors]

Apple gift cards are always a popular gift received by tech enthusiasts at Christmas, so you might have unwrapped one today. If so, we've put together a list of products to spend it on, with everything priced under $100 in the United States.

Apple used to offer two separate gift cards, including an Apple Store gift card for in-store products and an iTunes gift card for purchasing content like apps, games, TV shows, and movies. These gift cards have since been combined into the all-in-one Apple gift card, which says "the gift card for everything Apple" on the packaging.

To redeem an Apple gift card on an iPhone or iPad, open the App Store, tap your photo in the top-right corner, and tap "Redeem Gift Card or Code."

What to Buy With an Apple Gift Card

Belkin's iPhone Mount for Continuity Camera ($29.95)

Belkin sells an iPhone mount for use with macOS Ventura's new Continuity Camera feature, which allows an iPhone to be used as a Mac's webcam. Priced at $29.95, the mount attaches to the iPhone with MagSafe and can then be affixed to the top lid of a MacBook Air or MacBook Pro for use with Continuity Camera. Belkin also offers a version of the mount for use with the latest iMac and Studio Display for $39.95.

Apple's 35W Dual USB-C Charger ($59)

Apple this year released new 35W power adapters with dual USB-C ports, with standard and compact versions of the charger available for $59 each. Both adapters feature foldable prongs and can be used to charge or power multiple Apple devices simultaneously, such as the iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, MacBook Air, and HomePod mini.

USB-C Siri Remote for Apple TV ($59)

Apple this year released a new version of the Siri Remote for the Apple TV with a USB-C port instead of Lightning for charging. If you already own an Apple TV model released in 2015 or later, the remote can be purchased separately for $59.

Apple Polishing Cloth ($19)

Clean your iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, Studio Display, and other devices with Apple's official polishing cloth, released in 2021.

AirTag ($29)

Keep track of your belongings with Apple's item tracker, which integrates with the Find My app on the iPhone, iPad, and Mac. A four-pack is also available for $99.

Twelve South's AirFly Pro ($54.95)

Twelve South's AirFly Pro accessory lets you use AirPods or Beats wireless headphones with an airplane's in-flight entertainment system. Simply plug AirFly Pro into the headphone jack on a plane to watch or listen with your AirPods.

Nanoleaf Essentials A19 Light Bulb ($19.95)

Nanoleaf's smart color-changing LED bulb is compatible with HomeKit, allowing it to be controlled with Siri. A three-pack is also available for $49.95.

Logitech Crayon ($69.95)

Available in gray or orange, the Logitech Crayon is a more affordable alternative to the Apple Pencil for drawing on compatible iPad models.

MagSafe Charger ($39)

Apple's MagSafe Charger attaches magnetically to the back of any iPhone 12, iPhone 13, or iPhone 14 model for wireless charging at up to 15W speeds.

MagSafe Wallet ($59)

Apple's leather MagSafe Wallet attaches magnetically to the back of any iPhone 12, iPhone 13, or iPhone 14 model and can store up to three credit cards or IDs. The latest version of the wallet supports Find My so you can track the wallet's location if you lose it.

MagSafe Battery Pack ($99)

Apple's MagSafe Battery Pack attaches magnetically to the back of any iPhone 12, iPhone 13, or iPhone 14 model, providing additional battery life on the go.

Apple Watch Band ($49+)

Have an Apple Watch? Treat yourself to a new band, with dozens of options to choose from, including the custom-fitted Solo Loop.

iPhone Case ($49+)

Have an iPhone? Treat yourself to a new case, with dozens of options to choose from, including those from third-party brands like OtterBox and Tech21.

Apple One

Redeem your Apple gift card and use the balance towards Apple One, which lets you subscribe to multiple Apple services at a discount. The base Apple One plan includes Apple Music, Apple TV+, Apple Arcade, and iCloud+ with 50GB of storage for $16.95 per month, which is $7 less per month compared to subscribing to the services separately.

iCloud+ Storage

Redeem your Apple gift card and use the balance towards an iCloud+ plan with additional storage. Available storage amounts include 50GB for $0.99 per month, 200GB for $2.99 per month, and 2TB for $9.99 per month.

Article Link: 15 Ways to Spend an Apple Gift Card You Received for Christmas

 

[Justin Cymbal]

This is so cool! Twelve South's AirFly Pro ($54.95)

I didn’t even know that you could do this with AirPods and the fact that Apple sells it directly from their website is in-effect an endorsement that it works!

Also, this article mentions that Apple Music is $99/year but Apple raised the price to $109 back in October:

Apple Increasing Pricing of Apple Music, Apple TV+, and Apple One

Apple today announced pricing increases for several of its services, including Apple Music, Apple TV+, and the Apple One bundles that include those...

www.macrumors.com

It’s still a great deal considering that this is the first price increase since Apple Music launched in 2015

I recently switched my Verizon plan to one that has both Apple Music and the $15 Disney plan included for free so I’m glad that I switched before the $10/year price increase

 

[Populus]

Can you buy iCloud+ on a yearly basis to save some bucks?

 

[Joe Rossignol]

This is so cool! Twelve South's AirFly Pro ($54.95)

I didn’t even know that you could do this with AirPods and the fact that Apple sells is directly from their website is in-effect an endorsement that it works!

Also, this article mentions that Apple Music is $99/year but Apple raised the price to $109 back in October:

Apple Increasing Pricing of Apple Music, Apple TV+, and Apple One

Apple today announced pricing increases for several of its services, including Apple Music, Apple TV+, and the Apple One bundles that include those...

www.macrumors.com

It’s still a great deal considering that this is the first price increase since Apple Music launched in 2015. I recently switched my Verizon plan to one that includes Apple Music and Disney Plus so I’m glad that I switched before the price increase

Good catch! I removed that from the list.

 

[pcmike]

The AirFly and nanoleaf bulbs (albeit on Amazon for $99/8pk) caught my eye. Thinking of replacing the handful of Feit Wi-Fi bulbs I use with nanoleaf ones directly addressable in homekit (No homebridge work around).

Anyone have any opinion on the nanoleaf bulbs compared to any other homekit enabled brands?

 

[Justin Cymbal]

Can you buy iCloud+ on a yearly basis to save some bucks?

Not yet

I wish that Apple would add that - I pay $9.99/m for iCloud storage and wish that I could just pay $99/year

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

Apple Polishing Cloth. My favorite and best purchase ever.

 

[kylew1212]

The AirFly and nanoleaf bulbs (albeit on Amazon for $99/8pk) caught my eye. Thinking of replacing the handful of Feit Wi-Fi bulbs I use with nanoleaf ones directly addressable in homekit (No homebridge work around).

Anyone have any opinion on the nanoleaf bulbs compared to any other homekit enabled brands?

The nano leaf bulbs have worked great for me. They are also thread enabled which is awesome.

 

[MBAir2010]

I recommend that  HomePod mini speaker,
which replaced my Bose Soundtouch™ for sound and connectivity
.
the Dark blue looks nice as well!

 

[Manzanito]

Apple Polishing Cloth. My favorite and best purchase ever.

I know, right? Might be the best thing that ever existed.

 

[tasset]

Serious advice that I hate to give, but first recommendation is to check that Apple gift card you gave or received actually has a balance. A dead giveaway that you or someone may have been scammed is whether the long alphanumeric string on the back of the envelope does not match the inside of the card slip (not the code you scan to add the balance).
I bought a $50 card last week off a rack at Target that looked perfectly sealed and activated at the register, but was an invalid code when adding thru AppStore. Turns out a crime ring takes/replaces cards at retailers that they check later perhaps with bots whether funds have been added. Apple was very great to work with and I got lucky that this all happened within hours, but I can imagine there’s going to be a lot of unhappy people and customer service swamped.

 

[JM]

One year of Apple Music would be my pick. Which I understand is under Apple One, but it’s pretty good deal.

 

[SnappleRumors]

Thank you for the article and Happy Holidays to all everywhere.

 

[dwaltwhit]

Apple Polishing Cloth. My favorite and best purchase ever.

At this point I want one just for the kitsch value

 

[trife]

Is the online store not working for anyone else? If I click ""buy" on any product page it takes me to a "the page your'e looking for can't be found" screen. Weird.

Maybe it's a sign to save my money lol.

 

[siri_3005]

My favorite is the Apple logo sticker that comes with the modern gift cards.

 

[newyorksole]

Not yet

I wish that Apple would add that - I pay $9.99/m for iCloud storage and wish that I could just pay $99/year

paying annually is sooo much better lol. I hate the subs that are monthly-only.

 

[DrJR]

I don’t buy gift cards anymore. I’ll give the gift of cash. I have an idea why they exist and I’m grateful I don’t need them.

 

[bigandtasty]

Usually give cash instead of gift cards, but I'd go straight for those pride bands.

 

[codq]

I'll be gifting myself a lifetime access to Anybox, the bookmark manager I've been testing and loving.

Anyone else treating themselves to cool apps they've had their eyes on? Which one(s)?

 

[pcmike]

The nano leaf bulbs have worked great for me. They are also thread enabled which is awesome.

Do they play nice with amazon alexa if also added to homekit?

 

[JoshNori]

Imagine getting a $100 gift card today and being like, “OMG I’m going to get that USB-C charger I always wanted and I’ll still have money left over for a lightbulb!” 😂🎁🎄

Meanwhile, someone turns on their lights with a switch and plugs in their phone to the 2-cent charger that came with it and had almost precisely the same day as you. How gaslit do they have people by now?

If this list was anything, it was a Christmas twinkle ✨ of just how out of touch the Apple Store is. An Apple Gift Card is for useless tchotchkes only or a prepayment toward monthly AppleCare payments if it’s under $1,300.

 

[kylew1212]

Do they play nice with amazon alexa if also added to homekit?

I don’t have an Alexa, but the nano leaf bulbs I have are not matter compatible so I would assume they don’t play nice.
I think nano leaf is coming out with matter bulbs which is probably what you want.

 

[sjsharksfan12]

I'll be gifting myself a lifetime access to Anybox, the bookmark manager I've been testing and loving.

Anyone else treating themselves to cool apps they've had their eyes on? Which one(s)?

This should be a news story. Maybe recommended app subscriptions. I was thinking about buying a TV series set that was 99 bucks (I had 200 in my account) but maybe I need to spend it on better things.

 

[Damian83]

gift cards: consumerism at its finest! gimme 100 bucks and i decide what to do, save it, spend in food, gas, bills, bitches, coke, or gift it further to someone more in need...