GONE ARE the days of grabbing a holiday gift for a young relative at a record shop or video store. These days, they likely prefer a gift card for an online platform. “But make an effort to personalize it,” says Daniel Post Senning, author of Manners in a Digital World: Living Well Online. Here’s how:

Instead of Spotify or Netflix, look for special-interest services. A movie buff might love a subscription to the Criterion Collection of high-end films. A cartoon fan might enjoy anime streamer Crunchyroll. A music lover might like a gift certificate to indie platform Bandcamp.

Buy new headphones to go along with a music subscription or gamer snacks to pair with a Nintendo, PlayStation or Xbox online account.

“It’s the thought that counts—and the effort that seals the deal,” says etiquette expert Lisa Grotts. Include a video message in the email or send along a heartfelt text message as an addition. —Lexi Pandell