Drive In Gift Cards (And Other Items for a Drive In Movie)

If you want to have a great time at the drive-in movie, consider picking up these essentials!

If you’ve ever been to a drive in movie you get it—there’s something that’s special about seeing a movie on the big screen and relaxing in your car, or lounging on a blanket or chair. The whole ambiance is a throwback to the time when drive ins were everywhere, and it’s that sense of nostalgia that brings a lot of folks and their families to these outdoor movies. Seeing a movie in a theater is one thing, but you’ve got to experience it on a nice summer night surrounded by like-minded folks.

Whether you’re watching the latest summer blockbuster, a monster movie, a throwback movie, or even a great romance, the drive in is a fun experience for people of all ages. So what do you get someone who likes to spend time hanging out at the drive in? Glad you asked because today we’re going to discuss:

  • The top drive in gift cards
  • Other essential items to take with you to the show
  • Options to make your drive in movie experience more enjoyable

Get a gift card for a drive in movie with GiftYa!

One of the easiest ways to get someone a gift card they can use at the drive in is with GiftYa. This is an all digital gift card platform that has over 250,000 vendors for you to choose from. Once you decide to send someone a gift card, just plug in the amount, add a personalized note, video, or picture, and text or email it to them. They’ll immediately receive notice that it was sent, and the gift card will stay secure on their phone until they use it. No more forgetting a plastic gift card at home! They’ll always know exactly how much is left on the card since it’s tracked, which is a very helpful feature.

Now let’s get on to the best gift ideas for people who love to go to drive in movies!

1. DoorDash gift card

Because food and movies, especially the drive in, just go hand in hand!

Text a DoorDash gift card

DoorDash gift card

If you’re planning to head over to your local drive in movie theater, chances are you’d like to munch on something while you watch the flick. While some theaters come with concession stands or food trucks, that’s not the case with every place, especially if it’s a smaller one. Not to worry, you can always get the food you want delivered right to you with a DoorDash gift card. This would make a great gift for a drive in movie enthusiast because you never know which theater they’ll end up at, possibly one with no food available!

Their night will be saved with this gift card, which they can use at all kinds of participating restaurants. Whether it’s Asian, Indian, Italian, breakfast, or something in between, they can rest easy knowing that they won’t go hungry while they enjoy a show outdoors.

Text a DoorDash gift card

2. Snack care package

Snacks for a drive in movie are definitely a requirement, so why not make a whole package out of it?

Snack care package
Snacks of all varieties taste even better at drive in movie theaters, but make sure the theater actually allows outside snacks before you set up this package!

It’s fun to visit the drive in movie concession stand before it starts or during an intermission to load up on popcorn, candy, drinks, and other delicious movie-time snacks. However, some theaters don’t offer a concession stand, or you could happen to visit when it’s closed. Not to worry, as long as the theater allows folks to bring in outside snacks, you can always prepare your own snack care package for the movies. You’ll want to make sure you include everyone’s go-to snacks, whether that’s sweet like chocolate, salty potato chips, or healthy fruit and granola, there’s something for everyone in a care package.

If you’re making this for someone else, make sure you scope out what they love to munch on while watching the latest flicks, and include their favorite beverages as well!

3. Applebee’s gift card

Head over to Applebee’s after the show to discuss everything about the movie!

Email an Applebee’s gift card

Applebee’s gift card

Have you ever watched a movie at the drive in and were so enthralled you just had to gab about it afterwards? That’s one of the best things about seeing movies with friends and family, you get to talk about it after it’s done. And there’s no better place to do just that than your neighborhood Applebee’s. This restaurant has a relaxed environment that welcomes parties of all sizes, whether it was just you and your partner, or you decided to bring the whole crew.

Grab a table and some of their famous appetizers like their boneless wings, mozzarella sticks, or neighborhood nachos while you talk about the plot, special effects, or whether or not there’s going to be a sequel. You can always have a late dinner too and enjoy entrees like steak, burgers, pasta, and sandwiches and pair it with one of their signature drinks. Applebee’s are located all around the country, so chances are there’s one near you!

Email an Applebee’s gift card

4. REI gift card

You’ve got to have some comfy chairs when you’re at a drive in show

Text a REI gift card

REI gift card

Lots of people like to watch a drive in movie the old fashioned way, and remain in their cars. You can tune your radio into the right station to get the sound, and then sit back and relax as you take in the show. However, there are other options when it comes to watching a drive in movie. One of the more popular ones is to grab some comfy portable chairs and either sit beside or in front of your car. Outdoor stores are a great option when you’re looking for chairs you can use outside, that are durable, comfortable, and most importantly, portable. REI Co Op has been at the forefront of outdoor activities for decades, and they offer an impressive array of chairs you can easily bring to the outdoor show.

The best part? When you’re not watching a movie, you can leave these chairs in your car and have them readily available if you decide to go camping or just need to take a quick break!

Text a REI gift card

5. Blankets and pillows

Create a cozy ambiance with lots of blankets and pillows

Blankets and pillows
Pillows and a blanket are a must at a drive in movie, whether you’re in the car, in a chair, or on the ground!

Another underappreciated option for watching a drive in movie is setting up a picnic space right on the ground! You’ll want to make sure you don’t have any obstructions like cars right in front of you, but this shouldn’t be a problem if the theater’s screen is elevated enough. Blankets and pillows would make a great gift for someone who frequents drive in movies. You can also use them to snuggle up in if you’re seated in your foldable chairs or in the car itself if it tends to get cooler at night. While cars are comfortable for driving in, it doesn’t mean they were perfectly designed to watch movies in! You can help change all that with the gift of a warm blanket and pillows to help create the perfect movie-watching space.

6. Jamba Juice gift card

Grab some cold drinks before the show if there’s no concession stand!

Email an Jamba Juice gift card

Like we said before, sometimes drive in movie theaters don’t have a concession stand. But you won’t have to worry about getting thirsty if you stop beforehand at Jamba Juice. If the movie theater allows it, you can bring it along with you to enjoy as you watch the show, but if they don’t, you can always stop ahead of time and enjoy one of their signature juices, smoothies, or bowls. Whether you’re in the mood for a coffee cold brew, a fruit smoothie, or one of their filling yogurt, fruit, and waffle bowls, you can find all that and more at Jamba Juice.

Don’t have time to grab a drink or bite before the show? Not a problem, you can always stop in after the show for a delicious, healthy treat.

Email an Jamba Juice gift card

7. Supportive headrest

Keep your head supported for the ultimate comfort while watching a drive in movie

If you want to make sure your head and neck are supported while you watch the show, you’ve got to pick up this supportive headrest. Image courtesy of Amazon.

While you may think headrests are only for airplane travel, you’d be surprised to know how helpful they are in other situations--like going to the drive in movie theater! If you’re planning to watch the show in your car, you know that at times you can run out of spots to put your head, and sometimes it gets old just resting it on your hand. So why not stay upright with all the support you need and pick up this easy to use headrest? Made with thermo sensory memory foam, the angled back is designed to stay flat against the seat, unlike other curved neck, shoulder, and headrests. You’ll love that it’s easy to put on and stays in place with anti-slip rubber grip dots to ensure you can comfortably sit upright for as long as you need to. 

Pro tip: Giving this as a gift? It comes in two colors, and includes a carrying sack and ear plugs when they decide to use it on a plane.

8. A cooler to tote everything

If the drive in movie allows snacks and beverages, you’ll need a handy cooler to tote them all!

Polar Bear Bag
Pack all the snacks and beverages you can into this easy to carry cooler. Image courtesy of Amazon

If you know someone who prefers to bring in their own food and drinks to the drive in, then make sure they stay cold on those hot summer nights with this lightweight cooler! No matter if they’re bringing all kinds of beverages like water, soda, or juice, or they need to keep snacks like dips or fruit chilled, they can do it all with this option. Each cooler features high density foam insulation and a double coated nylon inner layer to keep food safe and cool. If you want to store your drinks on ice, this cooler will keep the ice cold and prevent melting for over 24 hours! You can easily fit this in the back of your car or in the trunk for easy storage.

9. Visa gift card

A Visa gift card makes a great gift no matter what the occasion is

Text a Visa gift card

Visa gift card

If you’re still wondering what to get someone who loves to go to drive in movies, why not get them a Visa card that they can use almost anywhere? Visa gift cards make wonderful gifts, because it allows the recipient to use it on anything they want to. Have they been eyeing tickets to a new release? Perhaps they want to treat their partner to dinner afterwards? They can feel confident using this gift card anywhere Visa is accepted. 

It’s so easy to send it over instantly with GiftYa, and because the recipient picks out what they spend it on, you won’t have to worry about your gift being something they won’t use. 

Text a Visa gift card

Those are our favorite gift cards for the drive in, along with other drive in movie must-haves!

No matter what your favorite type of movie is at the drive in, we all agree that it’s always a fun experience to watch a movie outside. So if you know someone who loves to visit the drive in, consider getting them any one of these top gift ideas and gift cards perfect for a drive in movie visit.

Trae Bodge

Trae Bodge is the shopping expert here at GiftYa. Trae helps people find the best deals and ideas on popular new items to purchase.

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