Ahh, the NC Mall, Neopets' own little cash cow. How could one place become such a spot for controversy? When the NC Mall opened hundreds of Neopians were both excited and completely disturbed by the idea of 'pay to play' items. Those that were excited were enthralled with the idea that they could dress their pets, galleries, and deposit boxes with tons of designer items, and they willingly went out and purchased neocash cards, or signed up for paypal just to do so.Along with the NC Mall came the idea to gift other people with such fancy items! People wanted to give away their unwanted doubles from capsules, or send away gifts to friends on holidays. (Really, a NC item is the perfect gift for the Neopian who has it all!) But it wasn't until after the mall's first birthday that Neopian's got the option to do this. After much pestering, TNT opened their arms to the idea, and gave us the basic gift box to do so! Sadly, there always seems to be more items than boxes available.
Whatever your reason for wanting to gift, this little guide is the perfect place to start you off! It will tell you what boxes are, where they come from, how to obtain them, and how they work! Please use the links in the top right to navigate the site!
On November 20th, 2008, TNT made it official that NeoCash items were giftable through special means by those with access to the goods! The goods in fact, are gift boxes, and the gift boxes, are available only through the redemption of a NC Mall NeoCash Card! (Available in Canada, and the United States!) For each $5 (equivalent to 500 NC) you get one Basic Gift Box.
| | You can use this Gift Box to give a Neocash items to another Neopets user as a gift. To decorate this Gift Box with special wrapping, go to the new Gift Wrap shop in the NC Mall. |
To break it down...
A $5 Card will grant your account 1 NC Gift Box
A $10 Card will grant your account 2 NC Gift Boxes
A $15 Card will grant your account 3 NC Gift Boxes
A $25 Card will grant your account 5 NC Gift Boxes" - TNT
But what about PayPal you ask? At this time users purchasing neocash with PayPal are completely out of luck. Also, as of August 7th 2009 users in the United States with a valid Visa or MasterCard credit card can purchase neocash! Sadly, tests have shown that like PayPal, credit card purchasers do not receive gift boxes.
As of right now NC Cards are only sold in the United States and Canada. If you're looking to get your hands on some, here is a list of places TNT states that they are supposed to be!
Canada - Shoppers Drug Mart, 7-11s, Best Buy, Future Shop.
United States - Target, Wal-Mart, 7-11's, CVS, Toys R Us, Duane Reade, Safeway, Blockbuster, F.Y.E.
But I don't live there! If you don't live in the U.S. or Canada, then you won't be able to purchase NC Cards the 'traditional' way. However, if you have some trustworthy friends on Neopets in those countries, maybe you could talk to them about purchasing cards from them? Many people also purchase them via online auction.
There are two OTHER ways of getting a gift box. ;)
While PayPal and CC purchasing will NOT provide you with a gift box, there are two other ways to obtain gift boxes. If you are willing to gamble, so far in Neopian history there have been TWO gift mystery capsules on the market. Yessir! These have the option of giving out the Basic Gift Box! BUT - the limited edition item from each capsule is also a very beautiful wrapped gift box. These gift boxes act 100% as a basic gift box would. Neat, hey? Sadly, at this time, both capsules are retired, so unless you want to try and trade for them, its unlikely you will get any boxes. As with all capsules, the possibility of obtaining a Basic Gift Box, or a LE gift box, are completely random.
 | Gift Mystery Capsule Gifts can be quite fun, especially gift capsules! Open this capsule and receive a random item(s) worth 250 NC (or more if you are lucky)! This capsule also has a chance of awarding a very special limited edition bonus item! Price: 250 NC Available: Until January 5th, 2009 |
 | Shining Star Gift Box Look at the shiny stars! You can use this extra-special Gift Box to give a Neocash item to another Neopets user as a gift. |
 | NC Mall 2nd Birthday Gift Mystery Capsule Gifts can be quite fun, especially gift capsules! Open this capsule and receive a random item(s) worth 250 NC (or more if you are lucky)! This capsule also has a chance of awarding a very special limited edition bonus item! Price: 250 NC Available: Until August 1st, 2009 |
 | NC Mall 2nd Birthday Collectors Gift Box Gifts can be quite fun, especially gift capsules! Open this capsule and receive a random item(s) worth 250 NC (or more if you are lucky)! This capsule also has a chance of awarding a very special limited edition bonus item! |
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Using a gift box is very simple! It only takes a few simple steps to be on your way to gifting another Neopian, and all of them involve simple hand-eye-mouse coordination!Necessary Tools: 1 Basic (or wrapped) Gift Box, 1 NC item of your choice.
Step One: Isolate your gift box! Gift boxes are hard to come by, and as a species, don't really like leaving their brethren. Most users store their gift boxes in groups, likely to be found in their gallery, or deposit box. Or even your inventory if you don't need the space! These gift boxes like to huddle together, and will be objective to moving. However, have no fear! Simply move the gift box into your inventory. Once this is done, the gift box is powerless!
Step Two: Choose your gift! With the gift box waiting in your inventory, you now need to move an item to gift. Gift boxes will only gift neocash items, and will only gift one item per box. If you want to gift an item, you need to have that item in your inventory! Once this is done, you can begin the gifting process.
Step Three: The Gifting Process With a box and a gift waiting in your inventory, start by clicking on the gift box. When you do so, it will bring up the regular item pop-up box that occurs when you click on an item in your inventory. It will give you the item stats, an oversized image, and the description. (Just your standard stuff!) The drop down menu will give you options where you can put the box, and it will also list the names of ANY neocash item in your inventory. Be careful in choosing the item you want to gift. Once you have selected the appropriate item, hit the submit button.
Step Four: The fundamentals. Once you have submitted what you want to gift with the box, it will bring up a username and greeting screen. Enter the username you wish to gift to (be precise!) or choose from your list of neofriends. You can also choose a greeting. Either choose from one of the predetermined appropriate greetings (one for every occasion!) or leave it blank. Leaving it blank will not hinder your gifting process. Once you have made your choices, submit!
Step Five: Yes, it asks for your account info! Before you freak that the site is asking for you for info it shouldn't, this is all standard, and for YOUR protection. It will ask you to enter your word for verification that you are indeed, the owner of your account, and if you have chosen to PIN the area, it will ask for that as well! Enter the information and hit submit.
Step Six: Gloat! Once your info has been entered, the screen will tell you that your gift has been delivered, and you will get a notice within 48 hours as to the status of it. You can then exit, and go on with your business! I would choose this time to gloat a little about what a sweet Neopian you are! :D
When the gift is delivered, you will get an automated neomail telling you of that. If it is rejected, you will get an automated mail telling you of that as well. Same goes for if YOU get a gift! Another automated neomail!
An important fact: If you are from a country that does have access to the NC Mall and Gift Boxes, but go to vacation (or live) in a country that doesn't (say, Japan) you will NOT be able to send gifts. You can receive, but for some reason your gifting priviliges are temporarily revoked! Strange, but true. Thanks kionaaddict88 for this info! :)
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Ah yes, gift wrap. Gift wrap is one of the neatest non-wearable things that TNT introduced to the NC Mall. Since gifting began in real life people have always seemed to want to wrap their presents in something fancy to surprise the gifter. During the holiday season, consumers spend THOUSANDS of dollars on gift wrap for their presents, so why not spend a little to make your NC gift even prettier?Fact One: You cannot purchase gift wrap, without having a box to put it on. You MUST have a Basic Gift Box to buy gift wrap! It is not an item on its own, but an accessory to an item that already exists. You must also have at least one gift box in your inventory at the time of purchase.
Fact Three: It doesn't give you any extra space. Gift wrap is pretty, it doesn't add item space to your gift box. Sorry!
Fact Four: It can't be gifted. The saddest thing about gift wrap is that it is, indeed, a box covering. You can't gift boxes inside boxes, and so you can't gift, gift wrap. The only thing gift wrap will do for the person you are gifting to, is looking pretty until they unwrap it, or reject it.
Fact Five: The name game. Once your basic gift box is wrapped, it will receive the same name as the gift wrap.
Gift wrap can be purchased at the NC Mall, for neocash. The prices vary. Here is a list of all gift wrap that currently exists, or has existed on the site!
| Pumpkin Patch Gift Wrap Hopefully this gift box will have more than just pumpkin seeds inside! Retired 100 NC |
 | Falling Leaves Gift Wrap Doesnt this gift wrap remind you of a beautiful autumn day? Retired 100 NC |
 | Orange Gift Wrap with Brown Ribbon This earthy gift wrap is sure to give someone a warm feeling inside! 50 NC |
 | Delectable Pink Cake Gift Wrap This yummy gift wrap is perfect for any occasion, especially birthdays! 150 NC |
 | Pink Candy Striped Gift Wrap Please dont eat this gift! Pretty tasty-looking, though, isnt it? 75 NC |
 | Blue Candy Striped Gift Wrap Whats inside this gift is probably as sweet as the paper looks! 75 NC |
 | Starry Night Gift Wrap The glimmer of stardust makes any gift more dazzling, especially during the holidays! 150 NC |
 | Winter Wonderland Gift Wrap The weather outside the box is frightful, but the gift inside is delightful! Retired 150 NC |
 | Brilliant Holiday Light Gift Wrap This brilliant gift wrap is sure to make that special someone glow with excitement! Retired 200 NC |
 | Sparkling Green and Red Gift Wrap The sparkles on this gift wrap will make any gift seem just a little more special. Retired 150 NC |
 | Happy Holly Gift Wrap The sprig of holly gives this gift an elegant touch! Retired 100 NC |
 | Pretty Peppermint Gift Wrap Yum! This gift looks positively scrumptious! Retired 100 NC |
 | Candy Cane Gift Wrap Hmmm... it seems unlikely that this gift tastes like peppermint, but its still sweet! Retired 100 NC |
 | White Gift Wrap with Red Bow Simple and classic this red and white combo is sure to catch the eye! 50 NC |
 | A Very Un-Valentines Gift Wrap Do you think Valentines Day is silly, but still like giving gifts? Express your true feelings with this gift wrap! Retired 200 NC |
 | Charming Red Heart Gift Wrap Is there a special someone who makes your heart pound? This is the gift wrap for them! Retired 150 NC |
 | Lovely Pink and Red Gift Wrap Give something sweet to someone sweet with this pretty gift wrap. Retired 75 NC |
 | Romantic Pink Gift Wrap Look out! This gorgeous pink paper may cause swooning! Retired 150 NC |
 | Shiny Valentines Day Gift Wrap Brighten someones Valentines Day with this glistening gift wrap. Retired 150 NC |
 | Spring Flower Gift Wrap Give something nice to someone with this pretty gift wrap. Retired 150 NC |
 | Pretty Negg Gift Wrap Give something sweet to someone with this pretty gift wrap. Retired 150 NC |
 | AAA Daily Dare Gift Wrap Give something fun to someone with this charming gift wrap. Retired 150 NC |
 | Abigail Daily Dare Gift Wrap Give something fun to someone with this charming gift wrap. Retired 150 NC |
| Golden Altador Cup Gift Wrap Give something fun to someone with this shiny gift wrap. Retired 200 NC |
 | Brilliant Red Birthday Gift Wrap Give something brilliant to someone with this gift wrap. Retired 100 NC |
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There are lots of amazing ports for good information on Neopets! If you know one that pertains to the NC Mall, please let me know! If it seems to be well written and of use, I'll link it here for others to see. If you're the owner of such a guide, or another well written useful guide on Neopets, please neomail me and we can exchange links. I'm always looking for affiliates! Here are some of the NC Mall smart reads that I think would be great to look at!Top of page?
Well, that's it! My guide is done! :D Well, not completely. I always like to leave a little section for any questions that might need answering. So, if you have any questions you want to be answered, please write me and ask! If it seems note worthy I'll post it here as well, so that everyone can see the answer! This is also where you can find linking info back to this page. I encourage you to switch to the new linking info rather than using the old. ;) It's prettier!I had a gift box in my inventory, purchased gift wrap, and I found the gift wrap in my inventory beside the basic gift box! What happened? What happened is that you had another basic gift box somewhere on your account! Strangely enough, unless you only have one basic gift box, the box that gets wrapped will be pulled from your stock of wherever you are holding them, and wrapped.
Can I trade neocash items using gift boxes? Yes, you can trade using gift boxes. Granted, all the same gift box rules apply. TNT stated that trading NC for NC is perfectly fine. They also stated that trading 1:1 or 1 for multiples is also alright. (But lets not be too greedy, huh?) Here are the things you can't do with neocash trading... You can't trading neocash items for neopoints, pets, accounts, or neopoint items. It is STRICTLY NC for NC. Keep that in mind! Trade fairly and safely everyone!
If I'm sent a gift, and I reject it, will the box disappear?
Nope! Even when opened boxes and items do not disappear when you return to sender. :) Return away! (Just be sure you aren't offending someone in the process. :o)
Linking Info
Want to link back? Sweetly Gifted would LOVE your support! Please put this little text banner wherever you wish. It is on a transparent background, so all you get is the nice text. More banner images will come later.
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