The problem: Gift cards are easy money in the holidays, but most small businesses forget to promote them until it's too late.
What you end up with: A simple gift card promo plan with a few dates, short messages for email, social, and your counter sign, ready for you to review and post.
What you'll need
A way to sell gift cards (in store, online, or both), your holiday hours, and any offer you want to run.
Getting set up
When do your customers start shopping for gifts? Plan your promos around that. Square says Square AI can help create content like marketing campaigns. Mailchimp lists generative AI features on its Standard and Premium plans. Shopify says Sidekick can help set up discounts. Then decide your offer, if any, and check your gift card rules before you write anything.
Step by step
- Pick three or four promo dates, like early December and the last week before the holiday.
- Decide on an offer, if any, and write down its exact terms.
- Ask the AI for a short email, a social post, and a counter sign for each date.
- Check every message for the right dates, terms, and links.
- Schedule the email and posts.
- Print the counter sign.
- After the holidays, note what sold, for next year.
A prompt to start with
Try this prompt, and tweak it for your tool. "I run [business]. We sell gift cards [in store/online at link]. Our offer is [exact terms, or none]. Write a short holiday email, a social post, and a counter sign for [date]. Keep it warm and simple, and include the exact offer terms and our holiday hours: [hours]."
What you'll get
A promo calendar and ready-to-review messages for each date and channel.
If something goes wrong
If messages sound pushy, ask for warmer, shorter versions. If the AI invents a discount, remind it to use your exact terms.
Keep in mind
Gift card rules, like expiry dates and fees, are set by law in many places, so check yours before you promote any terms. Follow email and texting consent rules.
Sources
- Square AI — official page
- Mailchimp — marketing plans and pricing
- Shopify Sidekick — official page and FAQ
Where each fact came from
- Recommended tools · checked Oct 28, 2026 · rechecked regularly — Square AI — official page
- Getting set up · checked Oct 28, 2026 · rechecked regularly — Square AI — official page
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