Abstract: Various of the disclosed embodiments generally contemplate computer-implemented systems and methods for selecting an electronic or virtual gift card from among a plurality of possible gift cards or gift card issuers. Various of the embodiments may match and rank the gift cards according to a gift card recipient's characteristics, and possibly to the electronic or virtual gift card itself. Certain embodiments also contemplate the selection of physical gift cards selection, matching, and ranking aspects of the invention. Various methods for operating a gift card business using certain of the embodiments are also disclosed.

Abstract: An electronic social networking environment enables the transfer of stored value between users of the environment. A transfer may be in the form of a gift from one user to another. The stored value may represent actual currency or virtual currency. The stored value may be redeemed within or outside the electronic social networking environment, and may be redeemed with one or more merchants. The stored value may be redeemed for a physical item or service or for a virtual item or service.