How to Send a Gift via PayPal

Sending cash gifts to friends and family is free and easy

This wikiHow teaches you how to send money as a gift to friends or family using PayPal.

Method 1
Method 1 of 2:

Using a Computer

  1. Image titled Send a Gift via PayPal Step 1
    1
    Go to https://www.paypal.com in a web browser. You can use any web browser on your computer, such as Safari or Chrome.
  2. Image titled Send a Gift via PayPal Step 2
    2
    Click Log in. It’s at the top-right corner of the screen.
    Advertisement
  3. Image titled Send a Gift via PayPal Step 3
    3
    Type your login information and click Log in. You should now see your PayPal dashboard.
  4. Image titled Send a Gift via PayPal Step 4
    4
    Click Send & Request.
  5. Image titled Send a Gift via PayPal Step 5
    5
    Click Send Gift. It’s near the bottom of the screen.
  6. Image titled Send a Gift via PayPal Step 6
    6
    Enter the recipient’s email address or phone number. Make sure you have the correct information so you don’t accidentally gift the wrong person.
  7. Image titled Send a Gift via PayPal Step 7
    7
    Click Next.
  8. Image titled Send a Gift via PayPal Step 8
    8
    Enter the amount you want to send and click Continue. This brings you to a page that displays various themes from which you can choose.
  9. Image titled Send a Gift via PayPal Step 9
    9
    Select a theme and click Next.
  10. Image titled Send a Gift via PayPal Step 10
    10
    Type a message. This can be anything you wish, such as a holiday greeting or a reason for the gift.
  11. Image titled Send a Gift via PayPal Step 11
    11
    Click Save. It’s at the bottom of the screen.
  12. Image titled Send a Gift via PayPal Step 12
    12
    Confirm your payment information. PayPal will show you various options you can pay with. The options vary depending on the types of accounts you’ve added to PayPal. Make sure the correct account is selected.
  13. Image titled Send a Gift via PayPal Step 13
    13
    Click Send Money Now. An email message will be sent to the recipient, informing them that you’ve sent a gift. They can click the link in the message to redeem their card.
    14. Advertisement
Method 2
Method 2 of 2:

Using a Mobile Device

  1. Image titled Send a Gift via PayPal Step 14
    1
    Open PayPal. It’s the blue icon with a white 3-dimentional “P” design.
    • This method will help you send money as a gift to a friend or family member using the PayPal app on an Android or iOS device. This is a little different than sending a gift card from a computer, as you won’t be able to choose a theme. If you want your gift to look more like a greeting card, you should use PayPal on your computer to send the gift.
  2. Image titled Send a Gift via PayPal Step 15
    2
    Sign in to PayPal. If you’ve set up a numerical pin, enter that to sign in. Otherwise, enter your login information.
  3. Image titled Send a Gift via PayPal Step 16
    3
    Tap Send Money. It’s the icon with paper money and an upward-pointing arrow.
  4. Image titled Send a Gift via PayPal Step 17
    4
    Tap Let’s get started!. It’s at the bottom of the screen.
    • If you’ve sent money with the app before, you may not see this option.
  5. Image titled Send a Gift via PayPal Step 18
    5
    Tap Access Contacts. If the person you’re gifting is one of your contacts, this makes it easy to find them. Otherwise, choose Not Now.
  6. Image titled Send a Gift via PayPal Step 19
    6
    Select a contact. If you choose to allow PayPal to access your contacts, scroll down and tap the person you want to gift. If not, type the person’s email address or phone number into the blank, then tap Next.
  7. Image titled Send a Gift via PayPal Step 20
    7
    Tap Friends and Family. This ensures that you won’t have to pay a fee.
  8. Image titled Send a Gift via PayPal Step 21
    8
    Tap Next. It’s at the bottom of the screen.
  9. Image titled Send a Gift via PayPal Step 22
    9
    Enter an amount and tap Next. This brings you to a summary screen.
  10. Image titled Send a Gift via PayPal Step 23
    10
    Tap Add a note to type a message. This is optional, but you can include a message along with your gift, such as a holiday greeting or reason for sending it.
  11. Image titled Send a Gift via PayPal Step 24
    11
    Select a payment option under “Sending From.” You may have to scroll down to see it. The default option is your PayPal balance, but you can choose an alternative account if you have one.
  12. Image titled Send a Gift via PayPal Step 25
    12
    Tap Send now. An email message will be sent to the recipient, informing them that you’ve sent a payment. They can click the link in the message to redeem their card.
    13. Advertisement

Community Q&A

  • Question
    If someone sends money thru PayPal as a gift, can it be taken back?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    No. Once the money is sent through PayPal, it can't be revoked.
Advertisement

You Might Also Like

Select a Gift for Your Best Male Friend
How to
Select a Gift for Your Best Male Friend
Deal with Not Being Thanked for a Gift
How to
Deal with Not Being Thanked for a Gift
Ask for Contributions for a Retirement Gift
How to
Ask for Contributions for a Retirement Gift
Wrap a Gift Basket
How to
Wrap a Gift Basket
5 Senses Gift Ideas for HimThe Best 5 Senses Gift Ideas for Your Husband or Boyfriend
Lily of the Valley SymbolismLily of the Valley Meaning: History and When to Give Them to Someone
React to a Gift You Do Not Like
How to
React to a Gift You Do Not Like
Present a Romantic Gift
How to
Present a Romantic Gift
How to
Make Gift Baskets
Send Flowers to Someone in Another State
How to
Send Flowers to Someone in Another State
Choose a Gift
How to
Choose a Gift
Give a Great Gift to Someone
How to
Give a Great Gift to Someone
Know How Much to Give for a Retirement Gift
How to
Know How Much to Give for a Retirement Gift
Creative Ways to Give Money19 Creative Ways to Give Money as a Gift
Advertisement

About This Article

Nicole Levine, MFA
Written by:
Nicole Levine, MFA
wikiHow Technology Writer
This article was co-authored by wikiHow staff writer, Nicole Levine, MFA. Nicole Levine is a Technology Writer and Editor for wikiHow. She has more than 20 years of experience creating technical documentation and leading support teams at major web hosting and software companies. Nicole also holds an MFA in Creative Writing from Portland State University and teaches composition, fiction-writing, and zine-making at various institutions. This article has been viewed 35,952 times.
How helpful is this?
Co-authors: 3
Updated: May 27, 2022
Views: 35,952
Categories: PayPal | Gift Giving
Advertisement