You can buy preloaded or value loadable debit cards in some places. Because of there nature, the are purchase and useage fees.

How about making them as credit cards and the retailer pays a fee that might cover for the cost?

well one issue here is that gift cards are already so generic that they remove any idea that you know anything about them, which is one of the main benefits to gift giving ni the first place. making it a generic gift card, you might as well just hand them a ball of cash instead.

This is being done right now. Google "gift credit cards".

Pretty much ever drug store in my town carries at least the GreenDot VISA and/or MasterCard. There's an initial $9.95 fee when it is purchased as well as, I think, a $4.95 fee each month and $4.95 for reloading.

In addition, there are the preloaded VISA cards that the first responder mentioned. One of the complaints I've heard about those, though, is that since it is used like a credit card, there isn't an easy way to see what the remaining balance is at the register.

These cards can be good for a little extra anonymity if online sites accept them and I know of several people that use them for ebay purchases.

Travellers Cheques. They already exist.