Gift certificates and gift cards are becoming a very common item in our culture. They are also becoming increasingly common in charitable activities. If your charity has ever received a gift certificate or gift card as a donation, listen up!
Charity Central (always on top of what’s happening in charity law) has several FAQs designed to help you understand when a registered charity can and cannot issue a donation receipt for gift certificates or gift cards:

Our charity received a donation of a $100 gift certificate from an aesthetician for a facial. How much should the receipt be for?
Zero. Your charity cannot issue an official donation receipt because there is no transfer of property. The gift certificate is for services and services are not property.
Our charity received a donation of a $100 gift certificate from someone who purchased the gift certificate from an aesthetician. Can we issue an official donation receipt and for how much?
Short answer
Yes, an official donation tax receipt can be issued for $100, the fair market value of the gift certificate.
Long answer
A gift certificate that was bought from the person who created the gift certificate is considered property. When the purchaser donated the certificate to your charity, there is a transfer of property. An official donation receipt can be issued.

If you have more questions about receipting, Charity Central has a wealth of information for you. Check out the information map, learning modules, more FAQs, and resources.
The Canada Revenue Agency has recently posted its updated policy on the donation of gift certificates or gift cards. Click here to read the policy from CRA.