‘Tis the season to sell out of your gift cards! With rising competition and savvy shoppers, it can be difficult to stand out and draw people to your business. This holiday season you need gift card incentives that capture attention, spark impulse buys, and encourage shoppers to spend more than planned. We’re here to help!
Below are 5 simple, yet high-impact, gift card promotion ideas that will not only increase your sales but build customer loyalty that lasts beyond the holiday season.
1. Add a Little Mystery: Pick a Surprise Off the Tree
If you are looking for something more interactive, the “surprise tree” is an instant crowd-pleaser. Customers get to enjoy the thrill and excitement of picking a mystery gift off a decorated tree if they purchase $X amount in gift cards.
How it works:
- Pick out your mystery perks: small discounts, bonus cards, freebies, loyalty, points, etc.
- Place the perks in mystery envelopes or use tags to represent each item.
- Decorate the tree with your perks and some holiday-themed decorations.
- Watch the fun begin as your customers pick their surprises.
This turns a standard purchase into a festive and fun experience, encouraging participation and repeat visits.
2. Promote Participating Items With a $5 Bonus Card
Another easy tie-in is offering a $5 bonus gift card with the purchase of participating products.
This has two huge benefits:
- Drives sales on specific products you want to promote
- Introduces more shoppers to your gift card program
It’s a double win. Additionally, shoppers often buy more than the qualifying items, increasing overall sales.
3. Spend $50, Get $10: A Classic That Always Delivers
One of the most effective holiday strategies is the spend X, get X bonus. For example:
Spend $50 on gift cards for your loved ones, and we’ll treat you to a $10 bonus card.
Why it works:
- Customers love getting free money.
- It encourages spending more money per purchase.
- Many bonus cards are redeemed after the holidays, boosting Q1 sales.
Bonus cards perform well in nearly any environment, whether that be a boutique, salon, grocery store, or pet store, because it is simple and universally appealing.
4. Elevate Your Gift Card Visibility
In a recent article, we explored how gift card carriers can improve presentation and help businesses stand out. Carriers are a powerful tool, but they are only one part of the strategy.
To truly maximize sales, businesses should consider:
- Strategic Product Placement: Place cards at high traffic areas, such as checkout lanes or counters and seasonal aisles.
- Bundled Gift Sets: Pair gift cards with small merchandise, such as mugs, socks, candles, treats or accessories, to create ready-to-go gift bundles.
- Digital Reminders & Signs: Use email newsletters, in-app messages, social media posts, and in-store signs to remind your customers to purchase gift cards.
- Staff Engagement: Train staff to suggest gift cards during checkout or when a shopper is unsure about what to purchase.
5. Make It Fun & Experiential
To stand out this season, businesses can take an experiential approach:
- Photo-Worthy Display: Create a fun, holiday-themed photo wall using wrapping paper and props. Add a branded hashtag and give customers a small reward, like a $5 gift card when they post it on social media. It’s a fun way to get people to share your business online.
- Themed Gift Card Display: Decorate the area where your gift cards are sold, so it matches the artwork and theme of your holiday gift cards. Think of gingerbread houses, snowmen, or candy canes. You want something that will make your gift card section stand out and draw shoppers over.
- Spin-the-Wheel Rewards: Set up a festive prize wheel customers can spin just for coming in. Offer small rewards like $5 gift cards or discounts and have one harder-to-win big prize! Require customers to use them on the same day. It’s a quick and fun moment that gets people engaged and excited to shop.
- Holiday Window Art: Partner with a local artist to paint your storefront windows in your gift card theme with a message highlighting that you offer gift cards inside. Hand-painted art feels personal and eye-catching. It helps draw people inside while also highlighting your gift cards in a unique way.
- 12 Days of Deals: Run a countdown to Christmas where each day features a different bonus or deal. Make some of your days centered around gift card bonuses, such as “Spend $50, get a $5 bonus card.” Start with smaller perks and build up to a great Day 12 offer. It keeps your brand top of mind, as customers will check back every day to see your amazing offers.
When shoppers see your gift card program as fun, they’re more likely to buy them and tell others, which creates a huge promotional opportunity for your business.
Make Gift Cards Your Secret Holiday Weapon
Gift cards are more than a convenience item. They’re an opportunity to boost your sales, attract new customers, and increase loyalty. With simple incentives, surprises, and bonus offers, you can turn the holiday rush into meaningful engagement and revenue for your business.
