If you‘re looking for the perfect gift for a creative friend or family member, a Hobby Lobby gift card might be just the thing. Hobby Lobby is a beloved arts and crafts retailer known for its wide selection of supplies for hobbies like painting, knitting, scrapbooking, and more. In fact, Hobby Lobby operates over 900 stores across the U.S. and brought in over $5 billion in revenue in 2020, according to their annual report.
Gift cards can be a great way to give a thoughtful present while still allowing the recipient to choose exactly what they want. The National Retail Federation reports that gift cards have been the most popular gift request for 14 years in a row, with 61% of consumers saying they‘d like to receive one. And as a convenient one-stop-shop for many people‘s everyday needs, Walgreens might seem like the perfect place to pick up a Hobby Lobby gift card. But does Walgreens actually sell them? Let‘s investigate.
Does Walgreens Sell Hobby Lobby Gift Cards?
The short answer is no, unfortunately Walgreens does not carry Hobby Lobby gift cards at this time. I checked in-person at my local Walgreens store and searched online, but Hobby Lobby gift cards were nowhere to be found. According to a Walgreens customer service representative I spoke with, they don‘t currently have a partnership with Hobby Lobby to sell their gift cards.
This news might come as a surprise or disappointment, especially since Walgreens carries so many other gift card options. As of 2021, Walgreens sells over 200 different gift cards in-store and even more online, including popular brands like Starbucks, Netflix, Visa, and more. But alas, Hobby Lobby is not on that list.
So what‘s the deal? Why doesn‘t Walgreens carry Hobby Lobby gift cards? From my research, it appears to be a decision on Hobby Lobby‘s end, not Walgreens‘. Hobby Lobby is particular about only allowing their gift cards to be sold through their own stores and website.
How to Buy Hobby Lobby Gift Cards
Just because you can‘t snag one at Walgreens doesn‘t mean you‘re out of luck. You still have a couple options for getting a Hobby Lobby gift card:
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Visit a Hobby Lobby store: Use the store locator on HobbyLobby.com to find a location near you. Physical gift cards are sold at any register in denominations from $10 – $200.
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Buy online at HobbyLobby.com: Navigate to the Gift Cards section of their website. You can choose between a digital eGift card that will be emailed to the recipient, or a physical gift card mailed to you or the recipient. Gift card amounts range from $10 – $200, and you can choose from various designs for different occasions. One important note: physical gift cards purchased online incur a $1 per card shipping fee.
Here‘s a quick price breakdown for Hobby Lobby gift cards:
| Gift Card Type | Denominations | Fees |
|---|---|---|
| In-store physical gift card | $10 – $200 | None |
| Online eGift card | $10 – $200 | None |
| Online physical gift card | $10 – $200 | $1 shipping per card |
While it‘s a bummer that you can‘t grab a Hobby Lobby gift card at Walgreens, at least there are still accessible options. But why is Hobby Lobby so particular about their gift card sales anyway?
Why Hobby Lobby Only Sells Gift Cards Directly
It‘s not uncommon for some retailers to only sell their own gift cards, and not allow third-party sellers to carry them. Other major retailers like Amazon and Walmart also don‘t carry Hobby Lobby gift cards, likely for the same reason. From a business perspective, there are a few potential reasons for this:
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Control over branding and customer experience: By only selling gift cards themselves, Hobby Lobby maintains complete control over the design, marketing, and sales process of their gift cards. They don‘t have to worry about how other retailers are displaying or promoting them.
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Direct customer relationship: When customers buy gift cards directly from Hobby Lobby, it gives the company a chance to directly connect with those customers and potentially market to them in the future. They can gather customer data and send targeted promotions.
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Higher profit margins: Selling gift cards directly eliminates any potential revenue split with third-party sellers. Hobby Lobby keeps 100% of the gift card sales without any middleman.
So while it might be inconvenient for shoppers hoping for a one-stop gift card shop, Hobby Lobby‘s decision likely comes down to control and profits. As a shopper, it‘s good to be aware of these policies so you can plan accordingly!
Alternative Gift Ideas for Hobby Lobby Fans
If you‘re not able to get your hands on a Hobby Lobby gift card, don‘t worry! Here are some other thoughtful gift ideas for the crafty person in your life:
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Prepaid Visa, Mastercard, or Amex gift card: Walgreens sells these for $25 – $500, and they can be used anywhere that accepts those card types, including Hobby Lobby. Just be aware of activation fees, which are typically around $4 – $6.
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Custom gift basket: Put together a collection of arts and crafts supplies tailored to your recipient‘s interests. Things like scrapbook paper, colored pencils, yarn, beads, etc. Walgreens can be a good place to start for basics!
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Gift card to another craft retailer: If you know your recipient also loves shopping at Michaels or Joann Fabric and Crafts, consider a gift card to one of those stores instead, which are sold at Walgreens.
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Walgreens gift card + small craft items: Grab a Walgreens gift card and pair it with some crafting essentials like a sketchbook, paintbrushes, or scissors for a personalized touch.
Remember, the thought you put into the gift is what will really touch your recipient!
Key Takeaways on Hobby Lobby Gift Cards at Walgreens
We covered a lot! Let‘s recap the main points:
- Walgreens does not sell Hobby Lobby gift cards in-store or online
- This is likely because Hobby Lobby prefers to only sell gift cards through its own website and stores
- To buy a Hobby Lobby gift card, you can visit one of their 900+ store locations or purchase online at HobbyLobby.com
- Online gift cards come in digital or physical forms from $10 – $200, with a $1 shipping fee for physical cards
- If Hobby Lobby gift cards aren‘t an option, consider alternative gifts like a prepaid Visa gift card, custom gift basket, or Walgreens gift card paired with crafting supplies
I hope this guide has armed you with all the information you need to get the perfect gift for your creative loved one! Even though Walgreens might not be the convenient one-stop gift card shop you were hoping for in this case, with a little planning, you can still get a Hobby Lobby gift card or come up with a thoughtful alternative. Happy gifting!
