Did you know you can easily give iPad apps as gifts? The iTunes store has a simple process for gifting apps, with the hardest part picking out the app itself. Of course, you could always get that special someone an iTunes gift card, but where is the fun in that? There's nothing that says "you are special" than the gift of the Boggle app.

1. The first step is to go to the app page as if you were buying the app yourself. Need suggestions on what app to gift? Check out my guide to the best iPad games.

1. Instead of tapping the price tag to purchase the app, tap the 'share' icon on the upper right corner of the app detail window.
2. Tapping the share icon will reveal a pop-up window with sharing options. Choose the gift option, which is a blue icon that looks like a gift-wrapped box.
3. You may be asked to sign in to your iTunes account if you have not recently done so. This is the same process as for buying an app for yourself.
4. You will be presented with a form allowing you to designated the person for whom you are buying the gift. The important part of this screen is the recipient's email address, which needs to be the same as the one they use for their iTunes account. Don't worry, this is usually the same address as their regular email address. You can also personalize the gift by writing in a custom note. Touch the 'Next' button when you are done.
5. Next, choose a theme for your gift. When you gift an app, the recepient receives and email alerting them to the gifted app. The theme you choose will determine how the email looks. Think of this like choosing gift-wrapping paper.

1. The last screen simply verifies all of the information and shows the icon and name of the app you are gifting. If everything is correct, touch 'Buy Gift' in the upper-right corner to gift the app.

Note: These instructions are for gifting an app using the updated App Store from iOS 6.0. If you are not using the updated App Store, the directions for gifting an app are slightly different. In the older app store, choose the "Gift this app" in the upper-right corner of the app detail. This replaces the instruction to tap the share button, which doesn't exist in the old App Store. The rest of the directions are the same except for picking out a theme, which is a new feature.

Go to the iPad Home Page

If you have found the perfect app and want to send it to someone as a gift, you don't need to use your iPad to send it to someone. You can use iTunes on your PC. It's a relatively simple process to gift an app with iTunes, and with the latest version, the App Store on your PC looks and acts very similar to the App Store on your iPad.

A Guide to the Best iPad Apps

1. First, launch iTunes on your Windows-based PC or Mac. If you have never used iTunes on your PC, you will need to download iTunes and sign in with your Apple ID. (This is the same ID you use for your iPad.)

1. Click on "iTunes Store" in the upper-right corner of iTunes.
2. Now that you are in the iTunes Store, choose "App Store" from the choices at the top. This will take you to the online version of the App Store.
3. The App Store in iTunes is similar to the the App Store on your iPad. Simply navigate to the app or use the search bar at the upper-right corner of the screen.
4. After you have clicked on the app and entered the detail screen, locate the price on the left side of the detail page. The price is listed just below the icon. Click on the down arrow next to the price to reveal a list of options that includes 'Gift This App'. Click on 'Gift This App' to start the gifting process.
5. On the Give a Gift screen, fill out the gift form with the recipient's name and email address. You can also personalize it with a message. Click continue when ready. Don't worry, you won't be billed just yet.
6. The next page verifies your gift, including the total amount you will be billed and the name and address of the recipient. After verifying all of this information, click the 'Buy Gift' button to complete the transaction.

And that's it. The recipient of your gift will receive an email with instructions on how to download and install the app.

Go to the iPad Home Page