$result = mysql_query("SELECT * FROM $table WHERE `id`='$id'") or die(mysql_error());
while($row = mysql_fetch_array( $result )) {
$contact = $row['contact'];
$expdate = $row['expdate'];
$deadline = $row['deadline'];
$html = file_get_contents("/path/public_html/template/template.html");
echo $html;
}

I am trying get the html in template.html as $html, which i can but inside template.html i need to have the vars.  like i have 

<div align="center" class="style2">
   <p>Greetings $client,<br />
     We are ready to start the new edition of x<br>
    Your Current ad will expire on $expdate. If you would like<br>
    continue advertising with us, The deadline for submitting <br>
    changes is $deadline.<br>
  </p>
</div>

but when i view the page it literally shows $client and $expdate instead of the values from the db.