Happy Holidays with Gift Certificates

The countdown to this year's holiday season is on.

For a Battlefield Operator, this time of year usually means managing peak bookings and coordinating large groups. But there is a silent hero in your marketing arsenal that does more than just fill your calendar—it fuels your business growth. We’re talking about Gift Certificates.

Whether you run a laser tag arena, a forest battlefield, or a mobile adventure business, gift cards can be a powerful weapon in your marketing arsenal.

Gift cards aren't just a trend; they're a proven way to increase engagement, boost revenue, and keep your business top of mind during the busiest season of the year.

While gift cards are a staple for parents and grandparents looking for the "ultimate experience gift," for a business owner, they represent a financial superpower: "Negative Cash Flow."

Gift Certificates Made Easy

Gift certificates are versatile and effective. Many battlefield operators around the world use gift cards to drive holiday sales, promote their services, and reach customers who might not have considered their venue otherwise.

Gift certificates can be offered for birthdays, bar mitzvahs, bat mitzvahs, quinceañeras, or any big occasion.

They’re also great for employee rewards, prize giveaways at local fairs, or as special recognition for loyal customers. Pro Tip: A one-person pass for a public Laser Skirmish session is a popular option—customers often bring a friend, creating extra exposure and sales.

How Battlefield Operators Customize Gift Cards

Operators can design their own virtual gift certificates for online download.

Custom platforms include:

• Sqare
• Vistaprint
• Gift Card Planet
• Gifty (used by Summer Camp Cedar Springs Camp WA, USA)
• Canva (for simple, visually appealing designs). 

Legal Reminder: Please check your local laws regarding expiration dates, fees, and the handling of unused gift cards.

Promote Your Gift Certificates

In-Store Promotion

Even if you operate outdoors or with a mobile setup, you can still advertise your gift cards. Consider:

• Displaying posters in bathrooms or high-traffic areas—your “captive audience” will see it! 

• Using flyers in gift shops or lounge areas.

• Attaching magnets or flyers to trailers or vehicles for mobile businesses.

Online Promotion

• Create a dedicated webpage for gift certificates (even if orders are via phone or email).

• Post about gift cards on social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest.

Maximizing visibility, both in person and online, helps ensure customers are aware that gift certificates are available.

How to Deploy Your Gift Card Strategy

Whether you run a laser tag arena, a forest battlefield, or a mobile adventure business, making your gift cards accessible is key. Customize Your Arsenal: You don't need a complex system to start. Operators around the world use simple, professional tools to design and sell their certificates:

Canva: For visually stunning, branded templates.

Square or Shopify: To sell digital versions that land instantly in a customer's inbox.

Vistaprint: For high-quality physical cards that feel like a "premium" gift.

Promote Everywhere: In-Store: Place posters in high-traffic areas (such as your briefing room or the backs of bathroom doors) where you have a "captive audience."

Social Media: Use Facebook and Instagram to target last-minute shoppers who need a "digital gift" delivered instantly.

Mobile Units: If you are a mobile operator, place a QR code on your trailer or vehicle so parents can scan and purchase while watching their kids play.

 The "Upfront" Advantage: Why Negative Cash Flow is Good News

In the tactical world, we usually avoid "negative" terms.

However, in finance, a Negative Cash Conversion Cycle is the secret to scaling.

Standard business models require you to invest in marketing, staff, and equipment before you are paid.

Gift cards flip the script.

You get the cash today, but you don't "pay" for it with labor, electricity, or equipment wear-and-tear until weeks or months later. This is essentially an interest-free loan from your customers.

You can use that upfront capital right now to fund extra marketing campaigns or perform field maintenance during the off-season.

Three Reasons Gift Cards are a "Force Multiplier."

1. The Power of "Slippage" (Pure Profit) Shock! Horror~! Research shows that roughly 10% to 20% of gift card balances go unredeemed. Whether they’re lost in a drawer or forgotten, that upfront cash becomes pure profit. It is revenue with zero Cost of Goods Sold (COGS)—no staff to pay, no batteries to charge, and zero wear on your gaming guns.

2. Guaranteed Future Recruitment A gift card isn’t just a sale; it’s a contract for a future mission. Once a "recruit" has a gift card in their wallet, they are locked into your battlefield. Even better, they rarely come alone. One gift card often turns into a high-value group booking when the recipient brings friends who pay full price.

3. The Psychology of "Free Money." When players arrive with a gift card, they treat it like "house money." Statistically, gift card holders are more likely to spend extra on the day—purchasing additional "reloads," high-margin merchandise, or refreshments—boosting your average transaction value.

Why Gift Cards Work

According to Statista, the U.S. gift card market alone is valued at more than $200 billion in 2025.

Jill Standish from Forbes says, "Gift cards are here to stay and will likely remain top of holiday shopping lists for many years to come. It’s a market already worth millions – and showing no signs of slowing down. By making gift cards easy to purchase, use, and manage, retailers have a tremendous opportunity to acquire new customers, strengthen relationships with existing ones, and ultimately, drive a festive boost to the bottom line."

In summary, gift certificates help:

• Increase sales during peak season 

• Introduce your venue to new customers 

• Encourage repeat visits from loyal patrons 

By offering a tangible, flexible, and easy-to-redeem product, you provide value while boosting your bottom line.

By pushing gift certificates this holiday season, you aren't just selling a game; you are securing cash flow, locking in future customers, and building a war chest for your business.

This holiday season, give your customers the gift of adventure, and give your business the gift of upfront capital.

Start promoting your gift certificates today!