TikTok Shop just launched a new digital gift card feature that makes it easier for users to send shopping credits to friends and family amid the holiday rush. The timing is no coincidence – TikTok’s e-commerce division has a lot at stake right now as it tries to prove it can compete with giants like Amazon and eBay. The move also signals a larger shift for the platform as it moves beyond viral jewelry into premium retail.
The new feature allows you to load cards worth $10 to $500.
To make it feel less like a clinical transaction, TikTok has added a range of animated designs tailored to birthdays, weddings, or just thank you. The gift cards are currently available exclusively in the USA. They arrive via email and once redeemed, the money is credited directly to the recipient’s TikTok balance. From there, they can respond with a thank you note or even send a gift card right back.
TikTok calls this launch just the first step. By early 2026, the company plans to give users the ability to attach recorded video messages to their gifts. They even announce an “interactive unboxing” experience that aims to capture the recipient’s reaction in real time. While TikTok hasn’t explained exactly how this will work, the goal is clearly to make digital gifting more social and emotional, rather than just a transfer of funds.
This expansion follows a massive success for the platform.
During the four days of Black Friday and Cyber Monday 2025, TikTok Shop generated over $500 million in sales in the United States. This is a huge milestone that shows how quickly American shoppers are adapting to purchasing products directly from the app.
However, a cloud of uncertainty continues to hover over the future of the platform. TikTok is still under a federal mandate to sell its US operations to an American investor group. If a deal is not reached, the app faces a total ban. President Trump recently pushed back the compliance deadline to January 23, 2026, leaving TikTok with a very narrow window of opportunity to ensure its long-term survival.
For everyday shoppers, the new gift cards are a convenient way to give last-minute gifts. For TikTok, it’s a strategic gamble – a way to show that its global purchasing ambitions aren’t slowing despite increasing regulatory pressure.
