Does Walmart Sell Michaels Gift Cards in 2026? (The Complete Guide)

I get it – you need to buy a gift card for the arts & crafts lover in your life, so naturally you head to Walmart. But after searching the racks and gift card section, you come up empty handed. So do they actually sell Michaels gift cards at Walmart?

The short answer is: No, Walmart does not sell Michaels gift cards in stores or online. I know, it‘s disappointing when you‘re in a time crunch.

As you probably guessed, there‘s some rivalry between the two retail giants that prevents them from selling each other‘s gift cards. But don‘t worry, my friend – you‘ve got plenty of options to get your hands on a Michaels gift card.

In this detailed guide, we‘ll cover:

• The deal between Walmart and Michaels as competitors
• Alternatives you can buy at Walmart instead
• Where to get Michaels gift cards
• Smart tips for buying and using gift cards

Let‘s dive in and get you that perfect gift card!

Why Walmart Doesn‘t Sell Michael‘s Gift Cards

Walmart and Michaels have a complicated relationship as two of the largest forces in retail and arts & crafts.

To give you an idea:

• Walmart operates over 4,700 stores in the U.S. with $390 billion in annual revenue.

• Michaels has over 1,275 stores across the U.S. and Canada with $5.3 billion in yearly revenue.

While Michaels brings in just a fraction of Walmart‘s earnings, it‘s still the #1 specialty retailer for arts and crafts supplies:

Walmart has heavily expanded its craft merchandise selection recently – encroaching on Michaels‘ territory. At many locations, you‘ll even find a Michaels in the same shopping complex nearby!

Selling each other‘s gift cards would essentially be promoting a direct competitor. And neither wants to give up market share in the profitable crafts arena.

That‘s why Walmart only sells gift cards for select competing retailers like grocery stores and gas stations. But you won‘t find cards for other big box stores like Target, Kohl‘s, or Michaels.

It comes down to dollars and cents – Walmart wants you spending your craft budget at their stores, not the competitor down the street!

Alternatives You Can Buy at Walmart

Now just because Walmart doesn‘t sell Michaels gift cards doesn‘t leave you empty handed. Here are some solid arts & crafts gift card options you can buy instead:

Walmart Gift Cards

Your easiest option is picking up a Walmart gift card in-store or online. Walmart‘s greatly increased their arts & crafts selection with everything from Cricut machines to yarn.

A Walmart card gives crafters flexibility to buy whatever supplies they need. The $5.99 shipping on orders over $35 makes online shopping a breeze too.

Hobby Lobby Gift Cards

Hobby Lobby is a top Michaels competitor, stocking fabric, crafts, home decor, floral supplies, and more at over 900 stores. You can grab Hobby Lobby gift cards in various amounts at most Walmarts.

JOANN Gift Cards

With 800+ locations across the country, JOANN is another Michaels rival specializing in fabric, sewing, yarn, and other craft inventory. Walmart sells JOANN gift cards online and in-store.

Cricut Gift Cards

Cricut machines and accessories have become insanely popular for DIYers to make homemade signs, shirts, decorations, and more. Walmart has Cricut gift cards available in-store and online.

Build-A-Bear Gift Cards

An outside-the-box gift card pick, Build-A-Bear cards can be used towards DIY stuffed animal kits. A fun gift for crafty kids and adults!

Amazon Gift Cards

An Amazon gift card allows the recipient to browse thousands of arts and crafts supplies on Amazon.com. Pick up an Amazon eGift card instantly online.

So you‘ve got plenty of gift card options for the crafter in your life at the Walmart nearest you. Now let‘s explore where you can directly get Michaels cards.

Where You Can Buy Michaels Gift Cards

If your heart‘s set on scoring a genuine Michaels gift card, here are 10 go-to options outside Walmart:

As you can see, you‘ve got plenty of options for finding authentic Michaels gift cards at major retailers like Target, Kroger, Staples, and more.

We‘ll cover tips for buying shortly, but first let‘s go over some smart ideas for using Michaels gift cards.

Tips for Using Michaels Gift Cards

Once you‘ve got that Michaels gift card in hand, here are some savvy ways to maximize its value:

• Buy online for convenient home delivery with free shipping over $49.

• Combine with coupons – Michaels runs tons of promos to stack savings.

• Use towards bigger purchases – Get a Cricut machine, sewing machine, or custom framing.

• Redeem rewards – Sign up for Michaels Rewards to earn points with gift card purchases. You‘ll unlock additional coupons and perks.

• Buy discounted cards – Save up to 15% on gift cards sold at reseller sites like CardCash and Raise.

• Split payment – Use the gift card for part of the purchase, then pay the remainder with another payment method.

• Give as a gift – Michaels gift cards make perfect presents for birthdays, weddings, holidays and more.

• Check policies – Understand fees, expiration dates, and other fine print based on where you purchase the card.

Now let‘s dive into some key tips for buying Michaels gift cards themselves:

Expert Tips for Buying Michaels Gift Cards

Follow this advice to save time and hassle when purchasing Michaels gift cards:

• Compare prices – Gift card resellers offer discounted cards, but check for fees.

• Choose amount carefully – Consider what the recipient will purchase. Arts supplies and framing services can get pricey.

• Check reviews – Read up on other customers‘ experiences buying from retailers or resellers.

• Confirm policies – Know the fees, shipping, expiration date, and redemption process before buying.

• Shop early – Buy ahead of holidays and birthdays when demand is high to avoid limited stock.

• Consider eGifts – Instant email delivery for last-minute gifting. But some recipients prefer physical cards.

• Know the fees – Redemption, purchase, dormancy and other fees vary. Most major retailers don‘t charge fees.

• Watch expiration – Standard is 12 months. Michaels eGift cards expire 6 months after activation. Check before buying used cards.

• Check the balance – Confirm the full face value is available if buying used gift cards.

• See if they ship – Retailers like Target and Kroger offer free in-store pickup for convenience.

Get Crafty With Michaels Gift Cards

Thanks for sticking with me through all this gift card goodness! While no Michaels gift cards may be hanging on the racks at Walmart, I hope you feel confident knowing where to buy them and rocking some smart tips.

At the end of the day, you‘ve got convenient options to delight any arts and crafts lover with the perfect Michaels gift card. Now get out there and get crafty, my friend! Let me know how it goes.