Why now is the time to prep your gift cards for the holiday season
It's never too early to prep for end of year marketing and initiatives.
We know what you’re thinking: “Black Friday? Already?” But when it comes to making the most of the gift-giving season, early prep = bigger payoff.
And here’s one of the best-kept secrets for driving revenue well past Black Friday Cyber Monday weekend? Gift cards. People are looking for more meaningful gifts. In fact, 63% of U.S. adults say they’d rather receive an experience over a material item (Eventbrite). That means your tours, activities, and adventures? They’re already what people want — you just need to make them easy to give.
Why gift cards deserve a spot in your holiday strategy
Gift cards are the ultimate holiday MVP:
- Zero guesswork for the gift-giver
- Excitement and anticipation for the recipient
- Revenue in your pocket now, bookings later
- Generate local or potential repeat customers
They’re also low-lift for you. Gift cards make it simple for guests to give something truly special and flexible. Instead of locking the gift into one specific experience or date, they empower the recipient to choose what works for them. That’s a win for everyone. Whether it’s a scenic sail, a weekend walking tour, or a thrilling adventure later next year, the choice is in their hands.
You don’t need to reinvent the sleigh
You don’t need to launch an entirely new tour (unless you want to — Holiday Sunset Cruise, anyone?). Just focus on getting your gift card offering up and visible.
Want to go a step further?
- Offer a limited-time holiday bundle (e.g., tour + merch or discount for 2)
- Launch a “Buy One, Gift One” deal
- Promote gift card bonuses (e.g., $100 gift card = $10 bonus value)
The key to holiday success? Don’t wait.
Each year, we see a surge in last-minute gift card and promotion setups as the holidays approach. Planning ahead not only gives you more time to craft a thoughtful, well-marketed offer — it also ensures everything is up and running well before the seasonal rush.
By getting started now, you’ll give your campaign the space it needs to shine — and your team more time to focus on what matters most: creating memorable guest experiences.
Planning now = stress-free success later.
Early action = bigger holiday revenue.
Not sure where to start?
If you’ve never run a gift card campaign or a holiday promotion before, don’t worry — that’s exactly what we’re here for. We’ll walk you through:
- Crafting a compelling promotion
- Marketing your offer (so people actually know about it)
- Setting limits and timelines that work for your business
Here are a few steps to help you get going:
- Start with your audience. Who’s buying the gift? Who’s receiving it? Think about which products or experiences would appeal most to them.
- Pick the right promotion type. Choose between gift card bonuses, limited-time offers, bundles, or themed packages. If you’re unsure, we’re happy to recommend what’s worked well for businesses like yours.
- Make it festive. Give your offering a seasonal spin — name it something catchy, update your imagery, or include a little freebie (like a souvenir or warm drink).
- Promote early and often. Use your email list, social channels, website banners, and even your checkout page to let people know this offer is available.
- Get help early. Reach out to our support team before the holiday scramble to ensure everything gets wired up correctly and on time.
Gift cards: A constant revenue stream
Gift cards offer your business a year-round value and consistent revenue stream. They let you generate income now — even for experiences that might not take place until spring or summer. Think of it as future bookings, paid for today.
Pro tip: Start with the gift card setup in your FareHarbor Dashboard. It’s simple: fill out a short form with your gift card info, and our team will get your gift card item up and running.
The trick is to make sure your gift cards are:
- Always available: Like the ones sold at major retailers, your gift cards should be available 24/7 — it’s what customers expect.
- Fully redeemable: Let gift cards be used on any activity you offer (unless you’ve created a specific, limited-time version).
- Seasonal: Want a surefire way to boost sales? Run holiday or event-based gift card promos — like a $50 gift card for $40 during a two-day Cyber Monday sale.
Special offers: A window to exclusive deals
Special offers can create urgency and emotional appeal, that “I need to book this now” feeling.
Some of our favorite exclusive offers include:
- Group discounts: Perfect for schools, clubs, or companies — just make sure to clearly outline the terms.
- Holiday promotions: Many customers are last-minute shoppers. Remind them your experiences make great gifts they don’t even need to wrap.
- Military/veteran discounts: Honor service members with a clearly explained, easy-to-apply discount.
There’s still time to make this your most successful Q4 yet — and it starts with strategic, early planning.
Position your offerings as the perfect gift this season. Whether someone is looking to surprise a loved one or simply treat themselves in the new year, your experiences can meet the moment — and gift cards make it all the more accessible. With visual customization functionality built into FareHarbor and seamless digital delivery, your gift cards can be both personal and convenient — perfect for any occasion, not just the holidays.
