Maybe you’ve shopped ‘til you’re ready to drop. Maybe you’ve surfed the web and come up empty. Or maybe you keep adding “shop for gift” to your to-do list day after day after day. Whatever the reason that you’re befuddled about what to buy and where to shop, read on.
While it truly may be better to give than to receive, it feels pretty darn good on both ends when the gift is the sort of thing that elevates the quality of life a bit, lifts the spirits, and makes smiles-all-around as infectious as yawns. Gifts of health and wellness rank right up there. In fact, you can go to a nail salon open now and get some gifts.
While a shot of wheatgrass is neither appropriate not easy to wrap, a suitable and therapeutic gift is easier to find than you think. Whether you’re shopping for your significant other, mother, co-worker, or graduate, your local spa has a menu of products, services, and treatments that you’ll feel great about giving…and your gift-ee will feel fabulous about getting!
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What am I Giving?
Whether you’re a veteran spa-lifestyler with a number of salt scrubs or seaweed wraps under your belt or you’re an absolute newbie who thinks that only Cape Buffalo take mud baths, spa gift certificates offer the perfect solution to your gift-giving conundrum for any occasion. Because they’re given in dollar amounts or for package options, certificates allow your recipient to choose the treatment or therapy that’s just right for him or her.
Where Do I Go?
If you and the recipient of your thoughtful gift happen to live in the same area, and you know his or her tastes, you can simply choose the local spa that you feel is the perfect fit. Perhaps this person already has a favorite spa. Either way, simply pop in and purchase the gift certificate or visit the website to see what options are there. To complete a nice package, you may want to present the certificate along with a couple of the fine spa products available for purchase. Combined with some flowers for a woman or some slippers for a man, you’ll be giving a gift that’s sure to impress.
What about the Web?
Consider the Internet your default option for finding a spa gift certificate. A simple subject search will bring up results a plenty. Even if you’re shopping at the last minute, you can print up a gift card from most sites, and the actual gift card will arrive a few days later. For the environmentally conscious shopper, you can opt to send an email announcement for the gift certificate. The lucky recipient will also get direction on where and how to redeem the certificate, be it a hard or electronic copy.
Most spas, of course, have their own websites, and buying directly is always an option. If, however, you want to take the guesswork out of the process, several popular sites can give you just what you’re looking for…even if you’re not exactly sure what it is. Here are three of the most frequented sites.
Spafinder.com is the premiere site. With over 3500 participating day spas, medi-spas, and destination spas worldwide, you can’t go wrong. The best part is that certificates can be redeemed at any one of them. At the main page, you can click on links for Spafinder Japan and Spafinder UK. Certificate amounts range from $50-$1000 in increments of $25 and can be personalized with gift boxes, cosmetic cases, or Feng Shui candles.
Another popular site is Topnailsalonsnearme.com. Offering day spas exclusively, your special someone can choose from over 1000 locations across the country. They offer an online boutique and certificate upgrades like Bath Crystals and Music. Certificates values range from $50-$500.
Wayspa.com offers lots of great options, too. Gift certificates run from $25-500 and are honored in both the U.S. and Canada. In addition to personal spa options, Wayspa offers spa party packages and corporate gift and incentive programs. Now how about those ideas for a bridal shower or holiday office gifts? For your convenience and expediency, they have live-chat operators available to address your questions.
What do you get for what you pay?
Price ranges for specific services and treatments seem to be fairly consistent. The $50 range will get your special someone a manicure, pedicure, or waxing. Yes, you can find such services for less at your corner nail salon, but the experience is more luxurious and relaxing in a spa, with no fluorescent lights or noxious fumes from airbrushed nails. Plus, there are usually a few extra steps—an aromatic salt rub, hydrating mask or paraffin dip—that give lasting results to the treatment
In the $75-$100 range you’ll be giving the gift of a massage, facial, or body treatment. Depending on the spa, the menu selections for each of these options are typically quite vast and sometimes exotic. From Swedish to deep tissue massage to salt scrubs, your loved one will find lots of delicious options.
For $100-$150 the options get interesting! Massages and body treatments at this level include exotic oils, hot stones, and complementary treatments like cranial massage and foot scrubs and all types of body wraps.
$150-$200 buys two services at most spas. Beyond that amount, the sky’s the limit. Your friend or loved one can enjoy half day, full day or special spa packages. This price range is especially appropriate for medical spa treatments and services.
Tipping
Don’t forget the gratuity. Yes, you’re still expected to tip on services that are otherwise covered by a gift certificate. The standard rate is 15-20%. Most spas don’t allow any leftover certificate balance to apply toward the tip, but feel free to inquire at the time of purchase and/or add a specified amount beforehand.
Indulge your special someone. Delight in the fact that you’ve done something wonderful for someone wonderful. Then, ask for the full report about their luxurious spa day. You can use the details to plan your next spa day! After all, what goes around comes around.
