iPod: The Missing Manual, 7th Edition

iTunes Gift Certificates: Buy 'Em and Spend 'Em

Gift certificates make perfect presents for people who have everything—especially when purchased by people who are lousy shoppers. These redeemable email coupons are also an excellent way to save face in potentially unpleasant situations. ("Honey, you may think that I forgot our anniversary again, but...check your email!")

Buying

To buy one, click Buy iTunes Gifts on the main page of the iTunes Store and then click the type of gift you want to send. After you choose delivery by either email or in person (you can print gift certificates yourself) the process is like buying anything on the Web: you fill in your address, gift amount, personalized message, and so on.

If you already have an Apple ID, you can log in and request to have your credit card billed; if not, sign up for one. Once you complete all the pixel paperwork, your gift certificate will be on its way.

Spending

However they arrive, iTunes Store gift certificates are meant to be spent. Here's how they work:

• If you're lucky enough to be the recipient of an iTunes email gift, redemption is just a click away. Click the Redeem link in the iTunes Store window. Copy the Redeem Code from your email and paste it into the box provided. Click Redeem. Then start shopping.

• If the gift arrived by hand (or you received an iTunes Gift Card), start up iTunes and click iTunes Store in the Source list. ...