How to give concert tickets as a gift
You've booked the tickets for their favourite band, and all you've got to give them is an email with a QR code. Here are the best ways to make it feel like a proper present, and how to turn it into a keepsake ticket they can hold.
Why e-tickets make awkward presents
Paper tickets used to be easy to wrap. Now most concert tickets live in an app or an inbox, so there's nothing to unwrap, nothing to put in a card, and the big reveal turns into “I've forwarded you something”. A little planning fixes that, and the surprise can be just as good, or better.
7 ways to give concert tickets as a gift
- 1
Print a personalised ticket
Make a keepsake ticket with the artist, venue, date and seat, and a message from you, then print it and give it as the thing they open. This is what The Ticket Gift is for.
- 2
Put it in a card
Write a note about why you chose this night, and tuck the ticket inside. Simple, and it works for a birthday, Christmas or an anniversary.
- 3
Wrap a hint
Pair the ticket with something related: a band t-shirt, a vinyl record, a mug, or a mixtape of their best songs.
- 4
Hide it in plain sight
Slip it into an album sleeve, a book they're reading, or a coat pocket, so they find it themselves.
- 5
Send them on a trail
Leave a few clues or a playlist that builds towards the artist, with the ticket at the end.
- 6
Frame it
If the show matters to them, a framed printed ticket makes a keepsake they'll keep long after the night.
- 7
Count down to it
Give a small gift each day or week before the show, ending with the ticket on the day.
How to make a personalised concert ticket to print
It takes a few minutes and you don't need any design skills.
- Pick a design. Choose a classic box-office stub, or one that fills the ticket with a concert photo.
- Add the details: the artist, the show, the venue, the date and time, and the seat or section. Add a short message if you like, and watch the preview update as you type.
- Pay £1.50, download the PDF and print it at home on A4 or Letter paper. Cut along the trim marks, and it's ready to wrap.
Tip: print at “actual size” (not “fit to page”), on thicker paper or card, for the best result.
What to put on the ticket
- The artist and tour or show name, exactly as they'd expect to see it.
- The venue and city, and the date and doors time if you know them.
- The seat, row and section, or “General admission” for standing.
- A short personal message, such as “Happy birthday, see you at the front”. It's the part they'll remember.
Good occasions for a concert ticket gift
Birthdays, Christmas, anniversaries, Valentine's Day, Mother's Day and Father's Day, graduations, and “just because”. A ticket is a gift they get twice: once when they open it, and again on the night.
Tips for giving e-tickets without spoiling it
- Keep the booked e-ticket safe until it's time. Don't post a photo of the QR code online, as anyone can copy it.
- Check how the seller handles transfers or guest names before you plan the reveal. Some need the other person's details in advance.
- Give the printed ticket as the surprise, then send or transfer the booked one straight afterwards, so there's no scramble on the day.
- Remember a printed souvenir isn't valid for entry. It's the keepsake, and the e-ticket is what gets them in.
Not just concerts
The same idea works for any event you've booked as a present. We're starting with concert tickets and adding more, including boarding passes for a surprise trip, and theatre, sports, festival and comedy tickets. Check the event types on our home page to see what's ready.
Common questions
How do I give someone concert tickets as a gift if they're only digital?
Most tickets now arrive as an email, a PDF or a QR code in an app, so there's nothing to hand over. The usual answer is to give a printed or handmade ticket as the thing they open, then send them the booked e-ticket (or transfer it through the ticket seller's app) once the surprise is out.
Can I use a printed souvenir ticket to get into the concert?
No. The tickets we make are souvenir replicas for gifting and keepsakes. They aren't valid for entry. The e-ticket you booked is what gets you in, so keep it safe and make sure the person you're taking can use it.
How much does a personalised printable concert ticket cost?
Each PDF costs £1.50. You design it, pay once, and download it straight away to print at home on A4 or US Letter paper.
Can I put any band, venue and date on the ticket?
Yes. You type in the artist, the show, the venue, the date and time, and the seat details, and add a message if you like. We don't check it against any event listing, because it's a keepsake.
Should I send the booked tickets before or after the surprise?
After, unless there's a reason to do it sooner. Sending a QR code too early can spoil the surprise and, in some cases, make it easy to lose or forward by mistake. If the tickets are in your name, check the seller's rules on transferring or naming a guest first.
What's a good way to wrap a concert ticket?
Put the printed ticket in a card or a small box with something that hints at the night: a band t-shirt, a vinyl record, a playlist on a CD, or a pair of earplugs. Or hide it somewhere they'll find it, like inside an album sleeve.
Ready to make yours?
Design a personalised concert ticket in a few minutes, and download it straight away for £1.50.
Choose a design