I am lucky and have finished my Christmas shopping. However, sometimes you may get stuck for a gift or get a last minute addition to your list. What can you do for those people? Well if it is an outdoors enthusiast you are shopping for, there is an easy idea. Gift cards are available for many retailers and services now and make good gifts.
They can also be purchased in just as many ways. You can purchase gift cards or certificates either at the store, online, or at a local gift card center such as Giant Eagle. Some companies that offer online gift cards will require the payment via credit card. Here are some companies with gift cards to suit the outdoor enthusiast in Johnstown.
Gander Mountain is located in the shops around the Galleria Mall. Gander Mountain also has stores in Greensburg and throughout the eastern United States. They also have an online store available. Their gift cards begin at $25 and increase in $25 increments. They have four different designs although not all may be available at the store. Gander Mountain gift cards are also available online. They do offer an eGift Card. They have twelve designs available for the eGift Card or you can add your own image for no charge. The eGift Card can be sent to the recipient by e-mail, sent to you by e-mail to print up and give, or even sent via Facebook.
Walmart, Target, or even K-Mart all have gift cards available and have a good selection of outdoor recreation equipment for your enthusiast to use them on. They could also use them for other merchandise. You can pick them up right at the store. Walmart is the most widely available store here in Johnstown. For the nearest Target or K-Mart you would need to go to Altoona. However, all of these stores also offer online eGift cards in many designs. They can be sent to your e-mail or directly to the recipient. In the case of Target, you can even send it via your mobile phone.
Our local ski resorts also have gift cards available. These can be used for skiing or boarding, snow tubing, lodging, equipment rentals, or even purchases at the ski shops or other locations at the resort. Many will have summer activities that these gift cards can be used for. Before you buy, check out what exactly each gift card can be used for at the particular resort. Here is some more information for each resort:
Hidden Valley has gift cards available from the sales office at the resort for values in increments of $25. If you do not wish to drive to the resort for the card, you can also call the sales office at 814-443-8000 extension 300 or online through the Hidden Valley website. If you call or order online, they will not be there by Christmas.
Seven Springs has gift cards for any increment beginning at $25 dollars. Their gift cards do not have an expiration date and can be reloaded. You can purchase them at the resort or even at the Giant Eagle Gift Card Center.
Whitetail Ski Area near Mercersburg has gift cards available in $10 increments. These cards may be purchased online if not needed by Christmas or at the resort.
REI is an outdoor recreation equipment retailer with two stores in Pittsburgh. They also have an online store which carries equipment for camping, biking, paddling, hiking, and many other outdoor activities. They have gift cards available in any amount from $10 to $1000. They are redeemable online or at any REI store. They do have an e-gift card option which usually delivers within 24 hours. They are suggesting that e-gift cards should be ordered by 3:00 p.m. on December 24 to arrive for Christmas via e-mail.
Bass Pro Shops have a few stores throughout the United States the closest one to Johnstown is located in Harrisburg. They do also have an online store and they do offer e-gift cards available through their website in any amount. The e-gift card will be sent directly to the recipients e-mail. You can also find the regular Bass Pro gift cards at locations such as Giant Eagle and even Sheetz.
Cabela’s is another retailer which caters to the outdoor enthusiast especially hunters and fishermen. The closest store to Johnstown is in either Wheeling, WV or Hamburg, PA. However they do have an online store. They have e-gift cards available through their website. They are available for amounts from $5 to $2000 and can be used at the store or online and have no expiration date.
Get a gift card from the Pennsylvania State Parks. These can be used at the state parks in Pennsylvania for camping. It is a great way to share our natural resources here in Pennsylvania. The gift cards come with a beautiful scenic design and can be reloaded. They are available in any amount over $5 and can be obtained by calling the reservation center at (888)PA-PARKS or online. However, if you need it for Christmas, you will need to stop by one of the state park offices. They will be opened on Monday morning, but could close after lunch. For information on park office hours over the weekend, call the individual park office. Here are the closest state parks to Johnstown:
Keystone State Park in Derry: (724)668-2939
Yellow Creek State Park in Penn Run: (724)357-7913
Laurel Hill State Park near Somerset: (814)445-7725
Prince Gallitzin State Park in Patton: (814)674-1000 (I was able to confirm that they will not be opened this weekend. They will be opened Monday morning at 8:00 a.m.)
Shawnee State Park in Schellsburg: (814)733-4218
The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission has a way to give the gift of fishing through a gift voucher. Gift vouchers can be given for any of the licenses or stamps available. You can get a gift voucher at any of the authorized license issuing agents or online. If you purchase the voucher online, you will be able to print it at the time of purchase. If you purchase the voucher online, purchase it this weekend. When I called to check on the voucher process, I was told by the PFBC representative that some people have had trouble printing the voucher. You just have to contact them and they will send a copy by e-mail.
Geocaching.com is a good place to purchase items for the geocacher on your list. They also have e-gift cards available. They can be purchased in any amount from $10.00 on up. They are sent dorectly to the recipient through e-mail. They also have a Premium Membership Gift Card for $30 which is currently being listed as out of stock.
Disc Nation is an online site which offers equipment for disc golf and other disc sports. They carry discs, targets, bags and much more. They have gift certificates available for instant delivery upon processing of your payment either on a credit card or through Pay Pal or Google Checkout Payments. The online gift certificate is sent directly to you or your recipient by e-mail. Their Gift Certificates can be purchased for any amount over starting at $10.00.
Amazon.com is a service that everyone has heard of. They have a large store with many options for the outdoor enthusiast. Gift cards for Amazon can be purchased for any amount and can be either sent to the person's e-mail or printed by you to be delivered by hand.
Any way you look at it, gift cards are easy to purchase and are always the right size. They can even be used as a stepping stone to get the money for the things that you really want. So give the outdoors and have a very wonderful holiday season.
Comments