Where Can I Buy Hobby Lobby Gift Cards? The Ultimate Guide

If you‘re looking for the perfect gift for the crafter, artist, or home décor enthusiast in your life, a Hobby Lobby gift card is sure to delight. Hobby Lobby is a go-to destination for supplies and inspiration for a wide range of creative hobbies and projects. But before you start your search for the ideal Hobby Lobby gift card, there are a few important things you should know. In this comprehensive guide, we‘ll cover everything from where to buy Hobby Lobby gift cards, to how to check your balance, to important restrictions and policies to be aware of.

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Where to Buy Hobby Lobby Gift Cards

The most important thing to know about Hobby Lobby gift cards is that they are only available for purchase in two places: Hobby Lobby store locations, and the official Hobby Lobby website. Unlike many other major retailers, you will not find Hobby Lobby gift cards for sale at grocery stores, drug stores, gas stations, or any other third-party gift card sellers.

This closed-loop system where gift cards are only sold by the retailer themselves is relatively uncommon. Most major retailers, from Walmart to Starbucks, sell their gift cards through a variety of third-party channels. Hobby Lobby‘s decision to restrict gift card sales to their own stores and website is a deliberate choice that comes with benefits and drawbacks for the company and consumers.

Benefits of Closed-Loop Gift Cards for Retailers

Improved control over gift card sales and distribution
Reduced risk of fraud from unauthorized resellers or counterfeit cards
Ability to capture data on gift card purchasers
Increased foot traffic to stores and website
Higher profit margins without third-party commissions

Drawbacks of Closed-Loop Gift Cards for Consumers

Less convenient to purchase, especially for last-minute shoppers
Inability to earn bonus rewards by purchasing gift cards at grocery stores or office supply stores
Risk of losing money if the retailer goes out of business

Clearly, Hobby Lobby has decided that the benefits of a closed-loop gift card system outweigh the drawbacks. For shoppers, this means that purchasing Hobby Lobby gift cards requires a bit more planning and intention.

If you want to purchase a physical Hobby Lobby gift card, your best bet is to visit your local Hobby Lobby store. Most locations keep a variety of gift card designs in stock near the checkout area. You can choose the value to load onto the card, in any amount between $10 – $200. Hobby Lobby does not sell gift cards with values higher than $200 per card.

Online shoppers can also purchase Hobby Lobby gift cards through the company‘s website, hobbylobby.com. Navigate to the Gift Cards section, choose your preferred design, and select a value between $10 – $200. Note that gift cards purchased online will incur a $1 per card shipping fee. At this time, e-gift cards or printable gift cards are not available.

Where You Can‘t Buy Hobby Lobby Gift Cards

Now that we‘ve covered the two authorized Hobby Lobby gift card sellers, let‘s take a look at all the places you might expect to find them for sale, but won‘t:

Walmart
Target
Amazon
Walgreens
CVS
Kroger
Publix
Safeway
Dollar General
Sam‘s Club
Costco
Lowe‘s
The Home Depot
Staples
Office Depot
Best Buy
GameStop
Starbucks

This is just a small sampling – basically, if it‘s not a Hobby Lobby store or hobbylobby.com, they won‘t be selling authentic Hobby Lobby gift cards. But why is Hobby Lobby so restrictive about this?

The most likely reason is that they want to maintain close control over their gift card program to prevent fraud and ensure a smooth experience for shoppers. By not allowing third-party sales, Hobby Lobby avoids any issues with unauthorized resellers, counterfeit cards, or cards that have been tampered with. They can also ensure that recipients are easily able to check balances and redeem the cards.

Scammers often target gift card buyers, especially during the holidays. The Better Business Bureau warns that gift cards purchased from unofficial vendors may turn out to be fake or already used. So if you come across a website (other than hobbylobby.com) or a store claiming to sell Hobby Lobby gift cards, be very wary. There have been many reports of scam sites selling worthless or already-redeemed Hobby Lobby gift cards to unsuspecting shoppers. Stick to purchasing directly from Hobby Lobby and you won‘t need to worry.

Gift Card Statistics and Trends

Gift cards have become increasingly popular in recent years, and not just during the holiday season. The gift card industry is massive, with $171 billion in gift card purchases in 2019 alone.

So what makes gift cards so appealing? Here are a few key reasons:

Convenience: Both for the giver and the recipient, gift cards are quick and easy. No worrying about sizes, colors, or choosing the wrong item.
Flexibility: Recipients can hand-pick what they want, when they want it.
Desirability: Studies show that 59% of consumers say they would like to receive a gift card, making them the most requested gift item.

When it comes to retailer-specific gift cards like Hobby Lobby‘s, there are even more compelling reasons to give them. A recent survey found that:

76% feel that retailer-specific gift cards are more personal than a bank-issued gift card
66% prefer to give gift cards for retailers they know the recipient likes
74% say giving a retailer gift card shows they care about the recipient‘s interests and tastes

For the crafty, creative types on your list, a Hobby Lobby gift card sends the message that you appreciate and want to encourage their artistic pursuits. In fact, Hobby Lobby reports that their gift card sales peak around key "crafting holidays" like Christmas, Valentine‘s Day, and Mother‘s Day.

Checking Your Hobby Lobby Gift Card Balance

Whether you‘ve just received a Hobby Lobby gift card or you‘ve been holding onto one for a while, it‘s easy to check your current balance. Visit hobbylobby.com/giftcard and click "Check Balance". You‘ll be prompted to enter your gift card number and PIN. Once submitted, your current balance will be displayed.

You can also check your balance at any Hobby Lobby store location. Take your gift card to the register and ask the cashier to check the balance for you. If you‘re planning a shopping trip, it‘s a good idea to check your balance ahead of time so you know exactly how much you have to work with.

Do Hobby Lobby Gift Cards Expire?

According to Hobby Lobby, their gift cards do not have an expiration date. However, it‘s important to note that some states have laws regarding unclaimed property. If a gift card goes unused for a certain period of time (typically 1-5 years), the state may claim the unused funds.

To avoid losing your gift card balance, be sure to keep track of any cards you receive and use them within a reasonable timeframe. If you‘re unsure of your state‘s specific laws regarding gift card expiration, you can check this guide from the National Conference of State Legislatures.

How to Earn Free Hobby Lobby Gift Cards

In addition to purchasing Hobby Lobby gift cards, there are a few ways to earn them for free:

Hobby Lobby Rewards Program: Sign up for a free Hobby Lobby Rewards account and earn points on every purchase. For every $1 spent, you‘ll earn 1 point. Every 100 points earns you a $5 Rewards voucher to spend on a future purchase. You can also earn bonus points through special promotions and by completing your online profile.
Swagbucks: Swagbucks is a rewards site that lets you earn points (called SB) for completing various online activities like surveys, watching videos, and online shopping. Redeem your SB for free Hobby Lobby gift cards, starting at just $5 for 500 SB.
MyPoints: Another rewards site, MyPoints lets you earn points for online shopping, taking surveys, reading emails, and more. Redeem points for free Hobby Lobby gift cards starting at $10.

While these methods take a bit more time and effort than simply purchasing a gift card outright, they‘re a great way to save money on your Hobby Lobby shopping or earn free gift cards to give as presents.

What Can I Buy with a Hobby Lobby Gift Card?

A Hobby Lobby gift card can be used to purchase any item sold at Hobby Lobby stores or on hobbylobby.com. If you‘re not familiar with Hobby Lobby‘s offerings, you‘re in for a treat. This retailer carries an incredible selection of arts and crafts supplies, home decor, and more:

Paints, brushes, and canvases
Scrapbooking and paper crafting supplies
Sewing notions and fabric
Yarn and knitting/crochet supplies
Beads and jewelry making materials
Florals and greenery
Seasonal and holiday decor
Home accents and furniture
Custom framing
Party supplies
Kids crafts and activities

Whether your gift recipient is an experienced artist or a beginner looking to explore a new hobby, they‘re sure to find plenty of exciting products to choose from. A Hobby Lobby gift card gives them the freedom to select exactly what they need for their projects.

Hobby Lobby Gift Card Project Ideas and Inspiration

Need some ideas to get your creative juices flowing? Here are a few ways to put a Hobby Lobby gift card to good use:

Refresh your home decor: Browse Hobby Lobby‘s extensive selection of wall art, mirrors, throw pillows, vases, and other accents to give your space a new look.
Get organized with cute storage: Hobby Lobby carries a variety of boxes, baskets, and bins in fun patterns and colors. Use them to corral craft supplies, office essentials, kids‘ toys, and more.
Make custom gifts and cards: Pick up some blank cards, gift tags, and gift wrap, then personalize them with stamps, stickers, and embellishments for a handmade touch.
Try a new artistic medium: Has your giftee always wanted to try hand lettering or watercolor painting? A gift card can help them pick up the supplies they need to get started without a big commitment.
Create a gallery wall: Grab some picture frames and decor elements to create an eye-catching gallery wall. Hobby Lobby‘s mix-and-match style makes it easy to curate a unique look.

For even more ideas and inspiration, check out the Hobby Lobby Blog. You‘ll find tutorials, product spotlights, and seasonal project ideas to help spark creativity.

A Little Background on Hobby Lobby

Founded in 1972, Hobby Lobby has grown from a small home-based framing business to a major arts-and-crafts retailer with over 900 stores across 46 states. The company is still privately held and family-owned, with founder David Green serving as CEO. Here are a few key facts and stats about the company:

Headquartered in Oklahoma City, OK
37,500 employees as of 2020
$5 billion in annual revenue
Carries over 70,000 products in stores
Donates 50% of profits to charitable causes each year

In addition to traditional arts and crafts supplies, Hobby Lobby has become a popular destination for home decor and seasonal items. Many stores feature elaborately decorated spaces that provide inspiration for DIY projects and home makeovers.

Hobby Lobby is also known for its commitment to philanthropy, donating a portion of profits to various charitable organizations each year. However, the company has also faced controversy at times due to its conservative Christian leanings and positions on issues such as reproductive rights.

Despite the occasional controversy, Hobby Lobby remains a beloved brand for many shoppers who appreciate the company‘s vast product selection, inspirational store displays, and frequent sales and promotions. And with a Hobby Lobby gift card, your recipient can personally discover all this leading crafts retailer has to offer.

Conclusion

We hope this guide has provided all the information you need to confidently purchase a Hobby Lobby gift card for anyone on your shopping list. To recap a few key points:

Only buy Hobby Lobby gift cards directly from Hobby Lobby stores or hobbylobby.com
Cards can be loaded with any value from $10 – $200
Online gift card purchases incur a $1 per card shipping fee
Check balances anytime at hobbylobby.com/giftcard or in-store
Hobby Lobby gift cards don‘t expire but should be used within 1-5 years
Gift cards can be redeemed for any products at Hobby Lobby stores or hobbylobby.com

Whether you‘re an avid crafter yourself or just looking for a foolproof gift for a creative loved one, you really can‘t go wrong with a Hobby Lobby gift card. Let your recipient enjoy the thrill of picking out their own project supplies, seasonal decor, or home accents. With so much variety and value, a Hobby Lobby gift card is sure to inspire creativity and bring joy to anyone who receives it. Happy shopping and crafting!

Where Can I Buy Hobby Lobby Gift Cards? The Ultimate Guide - Marketing Scoop (2024)