How to stream streaming services this holiday season: Netflix, Disney Plus, Hulu and more

On December 19, 2024By Littum

Figuring out what to get everyone for the holidays can be difficult. If you’re short on ideas, we’ve got a good one for you: streaming.

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

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

And finally, if you’re anything like me, you may be putting off 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. No need to navigate the infatuation in the stores.

So how can you give the gift of streaming? Here is our practical guide.

How to give Netflix

Netflix app on a tablet

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While it may seem like everyone already has Netflix, that’s not really the case. I personally have at least a handful of friends who don’t because of the password sharing (was booted from their parent’s account and didn’t sign up for their own). And even if they already have Netflix, who wouldn’t want it for free for a month or more?

How to give it: Netflix gift cards can be purchased in amounts from $15 to $200 via Amazon, Walmart, Best buy and measure. They can be used to start a new account or added to an existing account.

How to give Disney Plus as a gift

Disney Plus app on a television

(Image credit: Disney Plus)

Disney Plus is almost a necessity for families. Kids can endlessly rewatch Pixar movies like “Inside Out 2” and sing along to “Moana” and “Frozen,” while parents can tune in 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: Buy a Disney Plus gift card at the Disney Store. Be careful buying one from other retailers as customers have complained that they can’t redeem theirs.

How to give Hulu

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 great originals like “Only Murders in the Building,” it also streams FX shows like the award-winning “Shogun” and “The Bear” and next-day episodes of ABC and Fox series. That 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 at a discount.

How to give it: Buy $25 or $50 Hulu Gift Cards at AmazonBest Buy or Walmart. They can be redeemed by new or existing subscribers.

How to give Prime Video

Amazon Prime Video logo on the 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 just to get access to shows like “The Boys,” “Reacher,” “The Summer I Turned Pretty,” “Wheel of Time,” and “The Lord of the Rings: The calling.” Plus, Prime Video gets a ton of classic and recent movies.

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

How to give Paramount Plus as a gift

Paramount Plus app on a phone next to popcorn

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Paramount Plus has made great strides since its launch, both in terms of interface and content offering. It now regularly debuts originals, mostly in the Taylor Sheridan Televisual Universe or the “Star Trek” universe. And the streamer still has CBS episodes from the next day, so you can cut the cord while still watching the “NCIS” series, “Survivor” and “Ghosts.” And with the most expensive tier, Paramount Plus With Showtime, you can watch your local CBS feed live, so you can tune in to sports games from the NFL, March Madness, the PGA Tour and the UEFA Champions League.

How to give it: Paramount Plus gift cards can be purchased in amounts from $25 to $100 from website or from digital retailers including Best Buy and Walmart.

How to give Peacock

Peacock app on a tablet with popcorn

(Image credit: Shutterstock; Peacock)

Peacock is my favorite because it really 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 your “Law and Order” and “Real Housewives” fix; and Universal films ranging from “Twisters” to “Conclave.” This will be the streaming home of “Wicked.” Peacock also streams a host of live sports, including the Olympics, Premier League, NFL and WWE.

How to give it: Peacock gift cards can be purchased in amounts from $25 to $150 from their website.

How to give Apple TV Plus as a gift

Apple TV Plus

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

How to give it: Buy an Apple gift card from them online store or via Amazon or Best Buy.

How to give Max

Max logo on the phone

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Max has consistently ranked on our list of the best streaming services due to quantity and quality. It boasts a deep library of excellent movies and shows, including prestige HBO dramas like “Game of Thrones” and “The Sopranos,” DC superhero movies and recent blockbusters. The addition of Discovery content (home DIY, true crime docs, baking contests, etc.) rounds out the platform.

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