How to give the gift of streaming services this holiday season: Netflix, Disney Plus, Hulu, and more

It can be difficult to figure out what to get everyone for the holidays. If you’re out of ideas, we have a good idea for you: streaming.

Streaming services make a great holiday gift for a number of reasons. First, pretty much everyone likes streaming movies and TV shows. Second, you don’t even have to know the person well; They’ll find something to watch whether they like thrillers, romantic comedies, reality dating shows, nature documentaries or stand-up comedy.

Third, streaming costs a pretty penny these days. According to a Deloitte report, Americans now pay an average of $61 per month for four streaming services. That’s a whopping $732 per year.

Finally, if you’re like me, you may leave your holiday shopping until the last minute. Gifting a streaming service takes just a few clicks, less than five minutes, and can be done entirely online. You don’t have to find your way in the crowds of shops.

So how can you give the gift of streaming? Here’s our handy guide.

How to give Netflix as a gift

Netflix app on a tablet

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While it may seem like everyone already has Netflix, that’s not actually the case. I personally have at least a handful of friends who don’t have it due to the password sharing crackdown (they were booted from their parents’ account and haven’t signed up for their own account). And even if they already have Netflix, who wouldn’t want to use it for free for a month or more?

How to give it as a gift: Netflix gift cards can be purchased in amounts ranging from $15 to $200 through Amazon, Walmart, Best Buy and Target. They can be used to create a new account or add to an existing account.

How to give Disney Plus as a gift

Disney Plus app on a TV

(Image credit: Disney Plus)

Disney Plus is almost a must for families. The kids can watch endless Pixar movies like “Inside Out 2” and sing along to “Moana” and “Frozen,” while parents can listen to the latest Marvel titles like “Deadpool and Wolverine” and “Andor.” And don’t forget their library of classics like Cinderella, all of The Simpsons, Disney Channel original movies and shows, and NatGeo nature specials.

How to give it as a gift: Purchase a Disney Plus Gift Card from the Disney Store. Beware of purchasing from other retailers as customers have complained about being unable to redeem their copy.

How to give Hulu as a gift

A tablet with the Hulu logo surrounded by popcorn, soda, headphones and a cactus

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Hulu is one of my must-have streaming services. Not only does it have its own fantastic originals like Only Murders in the Building, but it also streams FX shows like the award-winning Shogun and The Bear, as well as follow-up episodes of ABC and Fox series. This way, you can cut the cord and still watch Abbott Elementary, Grey’s Anatomy, and 9-1-1. And you can bundle Hulu with Disney Plus for a discount.

How to give it as a gift: Buy Hulu gift cards for $25 or $50 at Amazon, Best Buy, or Walmart. They can be redeemed by new or existing subscribers.

How to give the gift of Prime Video

Amazon Prime Video logo on TV screen

(Image credit: Prime Video)

It’s easy to think of Prime Video as a nice addition to the free shipping and other benefits of a Prime membership. But Prime Video is a really great streamer that anyone can subscribe to individually to access shows like The Boys, Reacher, The Summer I Turned Pretty, Wheel of Time, and The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power. Prime Video also offers lots of classic and current films.

How to give it as a gift: Amazon gift cards can be applied to a Prime membership or a standalone Prime Video subscription ($9/month).

How to give the gift of Paramount Plus

Paramount Plus app on a phone next to popcorn

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Paramount Plus has made great strides since its launch, both in its user interface and its content offering. Originals are now being released regularly, especially in the Taylor Sheridan Televisual Universe or “Star Trek” universe. And the streamer still has next-day CBS episodes, so you can disconnect while you continue watching the “NCIS” franchise, “Survivor” and “Ghosts.” And the most expensive tier, Paramount Plus With Showtime, lets you watch your local CBS feed live, allowing you to catch sports games from the NFL, March Madness, the PGA Tour and the UEFA Champions League.

How to give it as a gift: Paramount Plus gift cards can be purchased in amounts ranging from $25 to $100 on the website or at digital retailers such as Best Buy and Walmart.

This is how you give a peacock as a gift

Peacock app on a tablet with popcorn

(Image credit: Shutterstock; Peacock)

Peacock is one of my favorites because it has everything for a reasonable price ($8): originals like “The Traitors” and “Poker Face”; Next-day episodes of NBC and Bravo shows so you can get excited about “Law and Order” and “Real Housewives”; and Universal films from “Twisters” to “Conclave.” This will be the streaming home of “Wicked.” Peacock also streams tons of live sports, including the Olympics, Premier League, NFL, and WWE.

How to give it as a gift: Peacock gift cards can be purchased on the site in amounts ranging from $25 to $150.

How to give the gift of Apple TV Plus

Apple TV Plus

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Apple TV Plus gets high marks in my opinion. It’s the only major streaming service that costs $10 or less and doesn’t play ads. Admittedly, the library is much smaller than that of Netflix or Max. Apple TV Plus pretty much only offers originals, but the batting average of those originals is very good. Some of my favorite shows from the last few years are on the service, including Severance, Shrinking, Silo, For All Mankind, and Bad Sisters. Their original films are hit or miss, but they were home to “Killers of the Flower Moon” and the Oscar-winning “CODA.”

How to give it as a gift: Buy an Apple gift card from their online store or through Amazon or Best Buy.

How to give Max as a gift

Max logo on the phone

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Max is always on our list of the best streaming services for its quantity and quality. It has an extensive library of excellent films and series, including prestigious HBO dramas such as Game of Thrones and The Sopranos, DC superhero films and current blockbusters. The addition of Discovery content (home improvement, true crime documentaries, baking competitions, etc.) rounds out the platform.

How to give it as a gift: Unfortunately, Max gift cards are not available. So you need to create a Max account for the recipient with their email address and your credit card information.

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How to give the gift of streaming services this holiday season: Netflix, Disney Plus, Hulu, and more

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