How to Turn Holiday Gift Card Sales Into January Bookings

You sold a ton of gift cards this holiday season, congrats! That’s a huge win for your family entertainment center. But here’s the next big opportunity: converting those one-time purchases into repeat visits and fresh party bookings in January. 

How to Turn Holiday Gift Card Sales Into January Bookings

The holidays may be coming to an end, but your guests are still looking for ways to have fun, burn off energy, and make new memories. With the right post-holiday strategy, those gift cards can become your secret weapon for filling slow winter months with new parties, group events, and returning customers. 

1. Why Holiday Gift Cards Are Gold for Your FEC

The best thing about gift cards? They’re prepaid promises. Every card represents a guaranteed visit and possibly multiple future visits if you play it right. 

For FECs, gift cards drive: 

• Immediate cash flow during the holidays 

• New guests who might not have visited otherwise 

• Opportunities to upsell parties, food, and games 

• Increased loyalty when guests come back to redeem 

When you use Party Center Software’s Gift Cards, tracking and promoting those redemptions is simple. You can sell and redeem gift cards both online and in-store and use automated marketing campaigns to remind customers to visit again. 

Learn more about PCS Gift Cards. 

2. Bundle Gift Cards With Party Packages

One of the smartest ways to boost party bookings is by pairing gift cards with your existing party packages. Instead of treating them as one-off sales, make them part of an experience. 

Try strategies like: 

• “Buy a $50 gift card, get $10 toward your next birthday party.” 

• “Buy a $100 gift card and receive a free pizza during your next group event.” 

This simple add-on transforms holiday spending into pre-booked celebrations. You’re not just selling gift cards you’re selling future parties. 

3. Set Expiration Dates That Encourage January Visits

You can’t control when a guest uses their gift card, but you can encourage faster redemption. A gentle nudge helps turn December revenue into January traffic. 

Use these tactics: 

• Add bonus value that expires January 31 (example: “$10 free bonus valid through Jan 31”) 

• Promote limited-time party upgrades for January redemptions 

• Run email or text reminders for unused balances 

This sense of urgency helps guests plan visits during your slower winter season, while keeping your calendar filled with new party bookings. 

4. Launch January-Only Promotions That Reward Redemptions

Once the holiday buzz fades, families are eager for something fun to do indoors. Reward that energy by creating gift card-exclusive deals for the new year. 

Here are a few winning ideas: 

• “Redeem & Win” Contest: Anyone who redeems a gift card in January is entered to win a free birthday party. 

• Family Night Specials: Double arcade credits for all gift card users during select nights. 

• Weekday Party Bonus: Book a January birthday using a gift card and get 10% off your package. 

These exclusive promos turn redemption into excitement and excitement into fresh party bookings. 

Conclusion

The holidays may bring the initial rush, but the smartest operators know the real growth happens afterward. Every gift card represents an opportunity to reconnect with your guests, invite them back, and boost party bookings when your calendar could use it most. 

By bundling offers, creating urgency, and leveraging PCS tools, you’ll turn seasonal sales into steady traffic and start the new year strong. 

Ready to turn your gift cards into repeat business? Discover how Party Center Software makes it easy to sell, track, and promote cards that keep guests coming back. 

Explore PCS Gift Cards →