September 2003 revolutionized how a new breed of gamers enjoy playing online games thanks to Steam. Steam is a video game digital distribution service by Valve. As part of Valveâs providing updates for all their games and expansion, we have seen how DOTA 2 and other interactive games took the online gaming world by storm.
Steam is the biggest digital distribution platform for PC gaming. An estimated 75% market share keeps them in the top spot since 2013.

- What is a steam gift?
- What happens if you decline a steam gift?
- Restore gift cards with Steam Gifts
- Do you see it as rude if someone declines a steam gift?
- Can you refund a gift on Steam?
- Accepting steam gifts
- Giving Steam gifts from the Steam Library
- If the recipient didnât own a game and your recipient declined it?
- Activating received Steam gifts
- Is it wise to accept gifts from anonymous Steam accounts?
- Benefits of having a Steam Card
The year 2017 saw Steamâs bullish steamrolling with $4.3 billion in US dollars in purchased games sales which is 18% of global PC games sold. Last 2019, a report of over 95 million monthly active users are interacting and enjoying within the Steam community a unique gaming experience that is powered by excellent gaming content.
What is a steam gift?
Gifts, whether it is physical or electronic, excite anyone receiving them. Youâll find a sudden gush of joy and excitement when someone gives you a gift because it shows that you are important. What is a steam gift and what is its significance or importance to someone?
We define steam gifts as a different way of redeeming games on Steam. It is a creative way of presenting Steam key codes so you can have something tangible. Because giving someone something they can actually touch and see takes gift-giving to a whole new level. But just like any electronic-based product, Steam will direct you to a link so you can activate a game on your Steam account.
Most of the time, you see codes presented as XXXXX-XXXX-XXXX, but it could also be like this: https://www âŠâŠ itâs all the same, itâs all good they all lead to an activation site that would let you enjoy special privileges because that is what a gift is all about. It is all about making the recipient feel extra special.
What happens if you decline a steam gift?
Sometimes things like this happen. For both the giver and the recipient, declining a gift usually sucks. It could be accidental that you have declined a steam gift because you have accidentally pressed a key that made it disappear, but still it leaves a nasty taste.
But what happens if you decline a steam gift? Are there any serious repercussions? Will it destroy relationships? Allow me to quote this post on a forum online.
What if a friend declines a gift card I purchased for them?
Imagine the horror and disappointment youâll feel if it is you. But what happens if you decline a steam gift? In the event, a friend declines a digital gift card you have given them, they will refund it. After you have verified that a friend declined your gift, they will give a refund back to your payment processor.
But what if my payment processor or payment method does not support this option?
If your payment method or payment processor does not support this kind of option, Steam will refund your purchase back into your Steam Wallet.
How about if itâs me whoâs going to decline a Steam gift?
Now, this is tougher, but there is still a wiggle room for this kind of situation. As per valve user experience, once you declined a steam gift, they will return the said gift to the ownerâs gift inventory. And the owner can use that gift to be given again to another recipient who will wholeheartedly accept it because itâs a token of goodwill.
You should understand that Valve rarely grants refunds regarding this matter. The moment you made a transaction, Steam notifies your target recipient that he already owns the game. But in most cases, when you decline a gift, Steam usually deletes the gift, and the sender receives a refund.
Usually, the giver receives a message like this:
Hello XXXX
Suspicious Alt Account has declined your gift
Please take this image as an example from Lebedev.

 (Image courtesy of Newbedev)
OR

   (Image courtesy of Newbedev)
However, if the gift that was sent is from the senderâs gift inventory, expect no refund and it will just stay there and you may give it as a gift to another person or better, convince the recipient to just redeem it.
Restore gift cards with Steam Gifts
How do you restore a gift card? When someone declines a gift, chances are you can still restore it. But you need to be wary of these conditions so youâll have a smooth transaction. Make sure that the account is registered.
Search for the name of the game and if your query produces no results, it means another user purchased that game before you. If that happens, simply click on the REFUND REQUEST button. Youâll see a form displayed and you need to enter your details and status and click on Submit.
After you have gone through the process, they will send a confirmation email to your inbox.
Do you see it as rude if someone declines a steam gift?
Hereâs a thing, receiving a gift is like a double-edged sword. You feel happy when someone gives you a gift if that person is close to you. But, it can also be a little creepy if out of nowhere, youâll receive something from an anonymous sender. Itâs hard to be naive and over-trusting nowadays.
In a normal setting, most culture finds it rude if someone declines a gift. Itâs like being slapped in the face in front of many people. Because in a normal setup, the one who gave you a gift exerted an effort because that someone sees you as someone special. Thereâs actually no code of conduct for that, but common sense will tell you itâs somewhat rude to refuse a gift.
But if you find it necessary to decline a gift, you may say it nicely, like Iâm sorry, but I canât accept your gift because it is against my values. Itâs no guarantee that it wonât be less offending, but at least you have been honest. Itâs no guarantee it wonât hurt someoneâs pride and feelings. Be ready with your sensitive explanation and stick with it with dignity.
In declining a gift, always remember to say it with sincerity and avoid any drama doing it. The simpler the approach, the more effective it will be.
Can you refund a gift on Steam?
You can expect a refund for any gift you have purchased provided:
- It is within the fourteen days duration limit
- The recipient played it for no less than two hours. The recipient should be the first to express their desire for the refund and must approve the removal of the purchase from their account.
To help you guide on the process, follow these simple steps on how to get a refund from Steam.
To request a refund on Steam as a the gift receiver
- Visit Steam Support and click on sign in Sign in to Steam
- Click on Games and Software
- Select from the list the gift you have received.
- Click on the issue with the game
- Click on Iâd like to request a refund
- Confirm the Steam game purchaser should receive a refund
Requesting a refund on Steam as the buyer of the gift.
After the recipient has done their end of doing the steps for refund, you, as the buyer of the gift, can now request to have your money back. Just follow these steps and youâll have your refund in no time.
- Visit Steam Support URL and sign in Sign in to Steam.
- Click Purchases
- Select the gift from the list. If you donât see the game on the list, you are not eligible for any refunds.
- Click a reason for the refund.
- Click on Iâd like to request a refund
- Select the method of refund example: debit/credit card, or you may request for a transfer to your Steam Wallet.
- Wait for the confirmation email from Steam that they received your request for a refund.
Accepting steam gifts
A lot of gamers like to keep all of their games on Steam. You can choose to be generous and give some of your games in your library to some of your friends. When you do this, it will grant your friends access to those games as long as you are allowing it.
Steam would grant access as long as they have the verified email. Make sure both you and your friend have a Steam account. With that, here are the steps on how to accept gifts on Steam.
Accepting gifts on Steam
- Open the email link on your Steam Community profile.
- Locate in your inbox the email from Stem technical support.
- Find the notification of the gift received with the message if a friend decided to leave a wish and a link that allows you to accept a fit in Steam.
- Click on the link and this will lead you to the activation page.
How to find out the sender of the gift
Receiving gifts can be surprising, but how would you know who gave you a gift on Steam? The simplest way is to check the email and look for the information. Look for emails sent by Steam that says Received a gift in the subject line. Youâll see the email address of the giftâs sender.
But mostly when someone hands you a gift on Steam, they would always leave a PM (private message) showing their details. Itâs much easier than checking the details yourself. The Steam clients also display that detail, so itâs easy for you to identify the gift sender without having to check your email.
But what if you deleted the message accidentally? And youâre having trouble finding it. Can you still find the mystery sender? If that is the case, I would recommend you contact Steam support and ask for their help.
Steam usually notifies you when someone accepts gifts you sent to them. You can find the notification on your dashboard or on your desktop if you have configured it. Both Manage Gifts and Guest Passes, flashes notification status so youâll always get an update if a recipient accepts or declines your gift.
Giving Steam gifts from the Steam Library
As Iâve mentioned a while ago, gamers use Steam to keep game-related stuff all in one place. When you feel a little generous, Steam allows you to share games in your library as long as you continue to permit them so. Having someone sharing resources with you is fun as long as both of you agreed mutually on the doâs and donât.
- You need first to make sure that everyone whom you want to share games with is having a Steam account and you are friends with them on the Steam platform.
- Login using the Steam client or browser. Enter your details on the log-in box and look for the games you want to share with.
- Select the game and look for Add to Cart or Buy this game as a gift for a friend
- Choose Purchase as a gift
- Enter your friendâs Steam username
- You may add a personal message to make sure your friend knows that youâre the sender.
- Select Continue and complete your purchase.
- After you have completed all the steps, youâll received a notification if your friend accepts the gift. You may customize your setting to schedule a delivery should you wish to surprise your recipients with a nice treat. Weâre all suckers for surprises.
If the recipient didnât own a game and your recipient declined it?
If thatâs the case, the game will go back to your inventory and you may ask for a refund.
How long will it take steam to reject a gift automatically if your receiver wonât confirm receipt?
Unconfirmed receipts usually have thirty days (30) grace period. But youâve got to be wary of regional issues like if in one region they priced the game-high, it would be impossible to have their gifts with a high price difference. Steam has a ton of restrictions on their store page. But on a lighter note, if you bought a game with extra copies, and you donated one of them, there is no expiration.
Activating received Steam gifts
Once your recipient acknowledges your gift, he needs to activate it so the fun would never end.
- Log in to your Steam account
- Look for the link you received in your email.
- After clicking on the link, Steam will direct you to a confirmation page where you can either Accept gift or Decline gift.
- Choose Accept gift
- Choose the option where you can add the game to the library or on your inventory. Select Add to my game library if you would prefer installing it and play it immediately.
- Go to your game list in Steam and choose the game and click install.
Is it wise to accept gifts from anonymous Steam accounts?
When you were younger, both your teacher and your parents do not encourage you to receive anything from strangers. When you decide to accept any items from a person you donât know, thereâs always a risk. Itâs dangerous a long time ago, and itâs more dangerous now considering how easy it is for intruders to gain access both physical and thru electronic means.
There is no difference in accepting anything from any platform. But Steam has got this covered. Itâs highly unlikely to receive anything from people with whom you are not friends within Steam. But for safety reasons, if you donât know the person on the other end of the line, donât even entertain the thought of receiving anything from someone you donât know.
One more thing, accepting code or gift always poses a risk. They used most codes in account recovery and it would require access to your email and that would get information from you. Digital cards can charge back to your account and this might lock your account. And if that happens, I assure you; it sucks.
Re-gifting Steam gifts
There are times you received gifts which are you donât like or the gift is something that you already have. Either way, youâll end up wanting to give them to someone else. I would advise you to re-gift it and make someone else happy.
Before, re-gifting steam is possible as long as you accept them as gifts and place it on your inventory. Then Steam made an update regarding re-gifting. On that update, Steam gifts that you redeemed are added automatically to the recipientâs library. It means you no longer have an option to redeem it to your inventory.
But DLC made an exception for a game you donât own. It says DLC that you can either trade or redeemed a game in your inventory at a later time.
What if you received a game as a gift, played it for a while and decided you want to send it back? Is it possible?
Hereâs a problem with gifts. You love to receive them, but seldom you can choose the one that truly matters to you the most. Hereâs the catch: when you received a game, you played it for a while and then you decided you donât like it, and would like to return it, isnât it rude?
Remember, itâs something given to you and something you didnât buy, so I would like you to have your thoughts along those lines. But on a technical aspect, can you do it? Of course, you can, because Steam allows a refund for gifts you have purchased as long as:
- It stays with you for fourteen days, and
- You havenât played it for no less than two hours and you, as the recipient, would have to express your intention for refund and approve the refund.
But as Iâve said, though not technically illegal I advise strongly against it.
Benefits of having a Steam Card
A Steam is like a precious stone for a gamer. Steam is like a gamerâs paradise because itâs a marketplace for gamers. It has tons of titles and games that a gamer surely loves. I have yet to hear a gamer who didnât enjoy a piece of what Steam offers. Any gamer from any part of the globe would appreciate and enjoy a Steam card.
Allow me to highlight the good things about having a Steam card
- Having a steam card can give you almost all games from almost all developers from all parts of the world. â As Iâve said, Steam is gamerâs paradise, no joy is greater than for a gamer to have their hands on games from different game developer from different parts of the world. Most games on Steam are great and priced reasonably well. There are sales that sporadically happen now and then. When you have games that are discounted up to 75% off, you arenât wise if you donât avail of it. Like what Iâve said, I have yet to meet a gamer whoâs not happy with his time with Steam.
- You can make software purchases with your Steam gift card. â Aside from an awesome repertoire of games, Steam also boasts of great softwares. You can get your hands of softwares that are new and trending, softwares that sells like hotcakes and softwares that are most widely. If you are into animation, design and game development, Iâm sure Steam got your back covered. A lot of Steamâs softwares are for gamers. Youâll find softwares sold on Steam to be interesting.
- Steam gift cards allow you to send digital gifts to all of your friends and loved ones. â Gifts make everyone happy. A Steam gift card allows you to enjoy playing side-by-side along with your friends or with many people across the globe. A steam gift card allows you to share a lot of gamerâs love with everyone.
You may think of a dozen of reasons for having a Steam card but I assure you, Steam allows you to interact and build a relationship with people having the same passion as you are. Itâs no science that Steam provides you with a platform that can get you to play, socialize, and interact with fellow gamers all over the world.
Being a part of a community that moves toward a direction is quite beneficial because it allows you to share your views and joy with people who have the same interest as you. I would only advise you to be cautious with your dealings because no matter how noble or how good your intentions may be, there are those who always spoil the fun. But itâs no reason for you not to go out and play. Enjoy and continue spreading positive vibes with Steam.