Five Mistakes Gyms Make With Holiday Gift Certificates
Gym memberships are one of the most popular gifts in the weeks before January, and also one of the most awkward to give. Receiving “a membership” can feel pointed, and a vague certificate invites disputes later. This template handles the tone well, because the picture is funny and friendly. The rest is up to how you fill it in. Here are the usual mistakes, and how the fields on this card help you avoid them.
- Leaving the value unclear. Write the dollar amount or the exact package, such as One Month Unlimited, in the Amount line, so staff do not have to guess at the desk.
- Forgetting the expiry. Fill in Valid Until. A certificate with no date can turn into an open liability on your books.
- Not tracking numbers. The Gift Certificate Name line can carry a code or package name. Log it when you sell it and again when it is redeemed.
- Printing on thin paper. A flimsy card looks like a flyer. Use 250 to 300 gsm card stock.
- Forgetting the terms. Write the main rules on the back, such as an adult sign-up form or a joining fee.
The Design in Detail
The card is landscape, 3.375 x 2.125 inches, the size of a credit card. It is split into two bold areas. The left side is a bright lime green curve that sweeps up from the bottom corner, with a thin ring drawn around a round photograph. The photograph is the joke: Santa Claus, in a red hat and white beard, lifting a dumbbell in a gym. The right side is almost black with very faint snowflake outlines.
In the bottom left, a green gym icon sits above the words GYM LOGO, ready to be replaced. The title FITNESS OR GYM MEMBERSHIP is set in green condensed capitals, and below it in a white script are the words Christmas Gift Certificate. The footer reads “We wish you and your loved ones a Merry Christmas and a fit New Year!”
Lines to Complete
| Line | Suggested use |
|---|---|
| Recipient Name | Who will use the membership |
| Amount | Value in dollars or the package |
| Issued By | Front desk staff or manager |
| Gift Certificate Name | Package name or code number |
| Valid Until | Last date to redeem |
Branding the Card
Replace the icon and GYM LOGO text with your own logo. Change the headline to CrossFit Membership, Yoga Studio Pass or Personal Training Session if that is what you sell. Click the round Santa photo, choose Replace Image, and use a picture of your own space or a trainer in action. The lime green is a separate shape, so you can recolour it to your brand colour, and the black can be changed to deep blue or charcoal.
For a spa-style option for the same audience, see the spa and wellness Christmas gift certificate. Other holiday designs are listed in the Christmas gift certificate collection.
Gym Certificate Questions
Can I sell it as a trial pass?
Yes. Retype the headline and the Amount line to say Seven Day Trial or Free Class, and keep the festive message.
Will it print clearly on a dark background?
Yes, though large dark areas use more ink. Print a test page first, and use a laser printer or a print shop for the best black.
