Christmas gift vouchers for a beauty salon: how to sell more and avoid trouble

The hunt for Christmas presents starts in November, and beauty treatments are one of the most popular gifts: personal, pleasant, and no need to guess a size. For a salon, a gift voucher pays off twice: the money comes in early, and the voucher brings you a new client, introduced by someone who already knows you.

But vouchers without a system become a headache: unclear expiry dates, lost numbers, disputes over a price that has changed. Here's how to avoid that.

An amount or a specific service?

A voucher for an amount (e.g. €50):

• flexible — the recipient chooses;
• price increases cause no problems;
• works when the giver doesn't know what the recipient needs.

A voucher for a specific service (e.g. "Gel polish manicure"):

• feels more like a gift and less like money;
• but if you raise the price in January, you still have to honour the voucher. Factor that in beforehand.

A practical approach is to offer both: amounts (€30, €50, €100) and your 2–3 most popular services.

Expiry date — clearly on the voucher

According to the Lithuanian State Consumer Rights Protection Authority (VVTAT), if the expiry date is stated on the voucher clearly and unambiguously and it passes through no fault of the seller, the seller is no longer obliged to provide the service or refund the money. You may extend it or refund it as a gesture of goodwill.

Practical tips:

• a 6–12 month term. Too short (1–2 months) causes frustration and looks unfair;
• a specific date ("valid until 30/06/2027") rather than "6 months from purchase" — nothing to argue about;
• mention the expiry when selling, not just in small print.

Numbering and a register

Every voucher gets a unique number. Keep a simple table:

No.	Amount / service	Sold	Valid until	Redeemed
2026-001	€50	15/11	30/06/2027	—

The register protects you from forged or double-redeemed vouchers and shows at any moment how many unredeemed vouchers are still out there. How and when to account for income from vouchers that have been sold but not yet used is a question for your accountant — it depends on your business form.

What the voucher must say

1. Salon name and contact details.
2. Amount or service.
3. Unique number.
4. Expiry date.
5. How to book (link or phone).
6. Short rules: can it be used in parts, does any balance carry over, can it be exchanged for cash (usually not).

How a voucher is redeemed

• The recipient books as usual and mentions the voucher. Note it on the booking.
• On arrival, check the number in the register and mark it as redeemed.
• If the service costs more than the voucher, the client pays the difference.

How and when to sell

• Early November — regulars first: they know best what to give the people close to them.
• Mid-November — publicly: Instagram, Facebook, a Google Business Profile update, a poster at reception.
• 20–24 December — a digital voucher (PDF) for last-minute shoppers. This is often the biggest wave of sales.

A voucher should look like a gift: nice paper, an envelope, your style. A cheap-looking voucher cheapens your service too.

Turning a voucher into a regular client

The voucher recipient comes to you for the first time and often doesn't even know who you are. It's the first visit with the most potential:

• take time for a consultation;
• explain when to come back;
• offer the next visit before they leave.

We covered simple ways to attract other new clients in a separate article.

What not to do

• Don't sell vouchers at a big discount — in December that means working at your busiest for less money.
• Don't issue vouchers without numbers — later you won't be able to tell what's been used.
• Don't write a vague expiry — "valid for a limited time" protects nothing.

What to do tomorrow

1. Decide which amounts and services you'll offer.
2. Choose an expiry date and write down the rules.
3. Prepare the voucher design and a PDF version.
4. Set up the register table.
5. Write a message to your regulars about Christmas vouchers.