Systems and methods for implementing and managing virtual gift cards

A non-transient computer readable medium having computer-readable instructions stored thereon that define instructions that, as a result of being executed by a computer, instruct the computer to perform a method for providing a virtual gift card, the method comprising the acts of:

• receiving a request from a server;
• providing, in response to the request, an interface to a terminal operated by a purchaser, the interface comprising fields for receiving a value and a recipient for the virtual gift card;
• receiving from the terminal, in response to input from the purchaser, the value and the recipient for the virtual gift card;
• generating a code for the virtual gift card;
• and
• sending a message to the recipient of the virtual gift card, the message including the code for the virtual gift card.

A system for providing a virtual gift card, the system comprising:

• a component configured to receive a request from a server;
• a component configured to provide, in response to the request, an interface to a terminal operated by a purchaser, the interface comprising fields for receiving a value and a recipient for the virtual gift card;
• a component configured to receive from the terminal, in response to input from the purchaser, the value and the recipient for the virtual gift card;
• a component configured to generate a code for the virtual gift card;
• and
• a component configured to send a message to the recipient of the virtual gift card, the message including the code for the virtual gift card.