Want to sell more this holiday? Learn how to gift online course the right way – with 8 strategies to package and position your course as the perfect gift.
We all love giving and receiving gifts, but let’s be honest, most of us don’t need more stuff cluttering up our homes.
If you’ve ever searched for something meaningful to give someone aside from the usual material gifts like jewelry, clothes, and shoes, we’ve got an idea for you.
How about gifting them an online course! It may help them start a new hobby, build a skill, or finally get started with what they’ve always wanted to learn. Your course could be the most unique gift they receive this season. And the best part? No shipping, wrapping, or last-minute delivery drama.
Sounds like something your audience would love to offer, too? In this post, we’ll walk you through how to position your course as the perfect holiday gift and how the MemberPress Gifting Add-on makes it easy for your customers to gift your course to someone special in just a few clicks.
Why Online Courses Make the Best Holiday Gifts
Not every great gift needs a bow. These days, more people are looking for presents that feel personal, create lasting value, and don’t add to the post-holiday clutter.
That’s exactly why online courses are becoming such a popular gift; they’re meaningful, modern, and make the kind of impact that lasts long after the holidays are over.
Here’s how you can angle your online course as the perfect gift:
- It’s Personal and Purposeful
Gifting a course shows thought. Instead of a generic gift card or something that might never get used, you’re giving someone a chance to grow, learn, and explore something they genuinely care about.
- No Shipping Hassles
Online courses are delivered instantly. No lines, shipping cutoffs, or worrying if the gift will arrive on time.
- Clutter-Free and Stress-Free
Perfect for minimalists. An online course takes up zero space but can leave a lasting impression.
- The Gift That Keeps Giving
A great course can lead to real transformation, new skills, career opportunities, and creative breakthroughs. That’s a gift that keeps giving well beyond the holiday season.
Whether it’s yoga, coding, painting, budgeting, or digital marketing, there’s a course for every kind of learner. And if you’re the creator behind one of those courses, this season is the perfect time to spotlight it as a gift-worthy experience.
8 Ways to Market Your Online Course as a Holiday Gift
If you want customers to buy your course as a gift, you have to market it like one. That means adjusting your messaging, visuals, offers, and buying experience to match how people shop during the holidays.
Below are eight actionable ways to help you do just that, from tapping into the psychology of gift-giving to updating your checkout flow and leveraging seasonal promotions. Let’s get into it.
1. Understand Why People Gift Experiences
To market your course as a gift, you need to think like a gift-giver. During the holidays, many people are looking for something more meaningful than another physical item.
In fact, a recent Eventbrite survey found that 63% of U.S. adults prefer receiving experiences over material gifts.
It makes the recipient feel seen. You didn’t just grab a last-minute gift; you recognized what they needed and chose something that shows you care.
If a friend’s been struggling with graphic or web design, giving them a course in that area shows you’ve been paying attention and want to help them grow.
Use this insight to shape your messaging with phrases like:
- “Give them something that lasts longer than a gift card.”
- “For the person in your life who’s always learning.”
- “Help them turn curiosity into progress this season.”
The more your copy connects with these motivations, the more likely someone is to hit “buy as a gift.”
2. Package It Like a Gift
People shop with their eyes first, and during the holidays, they expect things to look giftable. If your course still feels like a standard product page, it won’t trigger that “this would make a great gift” moment.
Here’s how to make your course feel like a present:
- Create a holiday-themed landing or sales page
Update your visuals with seasonal colors, light holiday accents, and warm messaging that speaks to gift-givers. - Include a clear “Gift This Course” button
Add a call-to-action that’s impossible to miss – something like “Send as a Gift” or “Give This Course to a Friend.” Bonus points for adding a short note explaining how it works. - Offer a digital gift card or a printable certificate
Make it easy for the buyer to present the course as a gift. A stylized email template or downloadable card can make the gift feel more complete. - Use language that signals a gift experience
Swap out generic product copy for phrases like “Give the gift of learning,” “Surprise someone with a new skill,” or “This course makes the perfect gift for…”
Presentation matters. When your course looks and feels like a real gift, it’s easier for shoppers to buy it as one.
3. Use Holiday-Specific Messaging & Imagery
If you want customers to see your course as a holiday gift, your branding has to reflect the season, both visually and verbally. A few simple tweaks can help your offer feel timely, relevant, and emotionally resonant.
Here’s how to do it right:
- Refresh your visuals
Add subtle seasonal elements like holiday color palettes, winter-themed accents, or cozy imagery. Keep it clean, you want festive, not overwhelming. - Use gift-centered messaging
Swap in a copy that speaks directly to gift-giving:
- “The perfect gift for the aspiring [writer/chef/entrepreneur] in your life.”
- “A thoughtful gift for someone who loves to learn.”
- “Surprise your loved one with the chance to finally start that side hustle.”
- “The perfect gift for the aspiring [writer/chef/entrepreneur] in your life.”
- Focus on transformation, not just content
Highlight the outcome, not the curriculum:
- “Give the gift of creative confidence.”
- “Help someone turn ambition into action.”
- “Empower their next chapter with a skill that sticks.”
- “Give the gift of creative confidence.”
Holiday shoppers are drawn to emotion and meaning. When your course page reflects that, it becomes much easier for someone to see it as the right gift for someone they care about.
4. Promote Your Course as a Gift
Once your course looks the part, it’s time to spread the word, and not just to your usual buyers. Now you’re targeting gift-givers, which means your promotion strategy needs to speak their language and show up in places they’re already looking for ideas.
Here are a few smart ways to get your course in front of the right people:
- Email your list with gift-focused messaging
Don’t just promote enrollment, frame your course as the perfect present. Subject lines like “Need a last-minute gift that means something?” or “Give growth this season – not more stuff” can catch attention fast. - Share stories that sell
Use testimonials or student success stories that highlight transformation. Reframe them as reasons the course makes a meaningful gift:
- “This course helped me launch my Etsy shop, now I make 7 figures yearly, the best gift I ever received.”
- “This course helped me launch my Etsy shop, now I make 7 figures yearly, the best gift I ever received.”
- Pitch to holiday gift guides
Find niche gift roundups that align with your course (e.g., digital gifts, gifts for creatives, productivity tools, etc.) and submit your course for inclusion. This builds credibility and visibility. - Empower your affiliates
Encourage partners to promote your course as a gift. Give them seasonal swipe copy, gift-focused graphics, and time-sensitive bonuses to help them market effectively.
The key is consistency: keep your “gift” angle front and center across every channel until the season ends.
5. Offer Limited-Time Holiday Incentives
Holiday shoppers are primed to act when they feel like they’re getting something special, especially if there’s a deadline attached. Adding limited-time perks can push undecided buyers to follow through and make your course feel even more gift-worthy.
Here are a few incentive ideas that work well during the holidays:
- Bonus content just for gift buyers
Offer an exclusive workbook, bonus module, private group Q&A, or short coaching session as a free add-on for gift purchases. - Create a “Gift Edition” of your course
This could be as simple as a bundle or themed version of your existing course, packaged with a printable certificate or gift-themed visuals. - Use urgency to drive action
Add a clear deadline like “Only available through December 24” or display a countdown timer on your sales page to encourage quicker decisions.
These small, time-sensitive extras can make your course feel like a limited opportunity, not just a product sitting on the shelf.
6. Make the Gifting Process Easy
No one wants to jump through hoops to give a gift, especially during the holidays. If your checkout process is confusing or unclear, even interested buyers might bail before completing the purchase.
Make it effortless to give your course as a present by doing two key things:
- Break down the steps clearly
Use simple instructions like:
“1. Choose the course → 2. Add the recipient’s info → 3. Pick a delivery date → 4. We’ll handle the rest.”
This reassures buyers and makes gifting feel like a quick win. - Add a short FAQ section
Address the questions people will ask, like:
- Can I schedule the delivery for a future date?
- Will the recipient see the price?
- Can I include a personal message?
- What if the recipient already has the course?
- Can I schedule the delivery for a future date?
By removing uncertainty and showing just how easy the process is, you’ll convert more browsers into givers – and make the whole experience feel thoughtful and seamless.
If you’re using a tool like MemberPress, the Gifting Add-on feature handles this beautifully. It gives buyers the option to purchase a course as a gift, enter recipient details, and have the course sent on their behalf – all during checkout. All you need to do is a simple setup on the back end.
Watch the full setup video below:
7. Add a “Gift This” Button to Checkout
Sometimes, the best way to increase gift purchases is also the simplest – make it obvious that gifting is an option right at checkout.
You can do this easily with the MemberPress Gifting Add-on, which lets you activate the “Is this a gift?” checkbox directly in your course checkout settings.
Once it’s set up, buyers can:
- Check the box to mark the purchase as a gift
- Enter the recipient’s name, email, and a custom message
- Instantly send the course access to the person they’re buying for
It’s quick, intuitive, and eliminates friction. A small touch like this can make the difference between “maybe later” and a gift purchase on the spot.
8. Highlight Real-Life Gift Scenarios
People don’t just buy gifts – they buy for specific people. So make it easy for potential buyers to picture exactly who your course would be perfect for.
Use real-life scenarios, simple descriptions, or mini case studies that match common relationships and life stages. This turns your course from a general offer into “the perfect gift for my sister/partner/friend.”
Examples you can try:
- “Perfect for the new grad who isn’t sure what’s next.”
- “Great for moms who want to reignite a creative hobby.”
- “Ideal for that friend starting a side hustle in 2025.”
You don’t need dozens of personas – just a few well-placed examples can help someone make the leap from “this is interesting” to “this is exactly what they need.”
Give Your Audience a Gift That Actually Matters
Now’s the time to prep your course for holiday promotion – before inboxes and feeds are flooded with flash sales and generic gift ideas.
Remember, you’re not just selling a product. You’re offering something that can spark growth, build confidence, or launch a new chapter in someone’s life. That’s the kind of gift people remember long after the holidays are over.
So start positioning your course as the meaningful, clutter-free gift it truly is. And if you want an easy way to offer gifting without the tech hassle, the MemberPress Gifting Add-on makes it simple to let buyers send your course to friends and loved ones – right from the checkout.
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