GIFTCARDS From Visa and American Express, they’re available in denominations starting at $25. Cards cost $5.95 for online orders of up to $300 at americanexpress.com or usa.visa.com.
MONEY THAT BEGETS MONEY If you don’t want your gift spent in a hurry, you can go to sharebuilder.com, buy a single share of stock (hey, they’re on sale!) and get a friend started in a dividend-reinvestment plan.
CASH TO GIVE Most charities will accept donations in someone else’s name, but Charitygift.com lets you use a credit card to make a tax-deductible donation; the site will then ask your friend or relative to choose a charity from a list of thousands. There’s a processing fee (up to 5 percent), but we like it anyway.
