Monday, November 26, 2018

Guide to Gifting Massage


When you’re relaxing on a massage table, it’s easy to see massage as a gift.  Whether you’re there to reduce pain, to ease anxiety, to help you recover from the physical and mental stresses of work, athletic training, parenting, or just being alive, massage is a moment of freedom in an occasionally crushing world.

If you’re thinking of sharing the gift of massage with someone else for a special occasion or “just because,” you are almost certainly doing so from a place of love and generosity.

Obviously, I’m a big fan of giving massage as a gift!  But there are some things to keep in mind when offering this kind of present:


How to (successfully!) give the gift of massage


Think about the best way to deliver your gift.  Gift certificates are the easiest way to give a massage as a gift, as it allows the individual to schedule on their own (either by calling or going online).  Scheduling on their behalf can sometimes work as well, although this can require additional strategic planning.

Look for genuine excitement.  When you mention massage, are they enthusiastic about the idea?  What you are looking for is, “Oh my gosh, that sounds amazing!” as opposed to a polite, “Yeah sure, I guess I would go if it were free.”  If you can elicit a more excited response by offering new socks, go with the socks.  But many people are thrilled by the idea of getting a professional massage as a gift.

Talk with your massage therapist.  Are they accepting new clients right now?  Do they allow people to purchase massages as a gift?  Do they offer the kind of massage this person needs or wants?  For example, at Healing Hands we offer relaxing massages with aromatherapy and/or Himalayan salt stones as well as deep tissue massages with stretching and heat.  But if you’re looking to give a massage as a gift to someone who wants to experience modalities we don’t offer (such as shiatsu or craniosacral work), we wouldn’t be the best fit.

Consider and remove obstacles.  Unlike a nice sweater or a juicy novel, there can be a few barriers to someone enjoying even a gifted massage.  These include:

     Transportation and accessibility.  Will you need to help them get to their massage?
     Childcare and other caregiving responsibilities.  Will they be more likely to accept the gift if it’s accompanied by an offer to babysit?
     Tips, parking, and other expenses.  At Healing Hands we say “gratuities are never expected but always appreciated.”  If you wish to include this in your gift, we will note it at the bottom of our customized gift certificates.  As far as parking goes, you can let the recipient know that we validate their valet fees so there is no cost to drop off their vehicle when they come for their session.
     Anxiety.  Receiving a massage for the first time can be intimidating.  Going together or talking about what to expect can be useful.


And finally, don’t forget the most important gift recipient: yourself.  You can’t pour from an empty cup!  Rest matters.  Peace of mind matters.  Sometimes, one of the best gifts you can offer others is to take a moment away from the chaotic world, so that YOU can be a better spouse, parent, colleague, neighbor, or friend.  Sometimes self-care can feel like a strangely radical or indulgent act, but it’s a vital one.  When we are around people who know to care for themselves before running themselves ragged, it’s a better environment for everyone.

To give the gift of massage, please visit this page and you will be directed to a secure PayPal link where you can enter the information of yourself and the recipient.  Additional customization available upon request.




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