Giving a massage: how to choose the right gift

Birthdays, Christmas, Mother's Day, a thank-you, someone going through a difficult time. There are moments when we look for a gift that says “you deserve a break”. A massage is one of the most popular choices, and for good reasons.

But for the gift to work, it is worth thinking about who will receive it: what type of massage, what duration, whether there is any health precaution to bear in mind and what to check on the gift voucher.

Why a massage makes a good gift

Experiences are worth more than things

Several psychology studies show that spending money on experiences rather than objects tends to bring more lasting happiness: experiences are remembered with more pleasure, are compared less and become part of each person's story (Van Boven and Gilovich, 2003).

The same applies to gifts. In a series of studies, experiential gifts strengthened the relationship between giver and recipient more than material gifts, regardless of price, mainly because of the emotion felt during the experience (Chan and Mogilner, 2017).

Touch and wellbeing

Touch plays an important role in emotional and physical wellbeing (Field, 2010). Massage reduces anxiety and tension, with more marked effects in regular sessions (Moyer and colleagues, 2004). For someone who is overloaded, a massage is also permission to stop: many people would not book one for themselves, but make the most of it when they receive one. See Does massage really lower stress? What the science says.

A gift that suits almost everyone

Unlike clothes, perfume or décor, a massage doesn't depend on sizes or very specific tastes. And it takes up no space at home.

How to choose

Think of the person

Duration

• 30 minutes: good for a specific area (back and neck), or as a quick “treat”.
• 50 to 60 minutes: the most balanced duration for a full-body massage.
• 75 to 90 minutes: for those who already enjoy massage and want a longer experience.

One session or several?

One session is a great gift. But if the person has persistent tension or is going through a very stressful phase, a pack of sessions allows more lasting benefits, because regularity counts.

Health precautions

Massage is safe for the great majority of people, but some situations require adaptations:

• Pregnancy: massage is generally possible with adapted techniques and positions and trained therapists. Check whether the venue offers prenatal massage.
• Health conditions (heart disease, cancer under treatment, recent thrombosis, taking anticoagulants, recent surgery): the person should inform us when booking, and in some cases needs medical authorisation.
• Recent injuries or pain: the therapist adapts the session or recommends assessment.

For that reason, a flexible voucher, which lets the recipient choose the type of massage after a brief conversation with the therapist, is the safest option when you do not know the health situation of the person receiving it.

What if the person doesn't like being touched?

Some people feel uncomfortable with touch or with the idea of undressing in front of someone they don't know. If you have doubts, ask indirectly, or choose a voucher with a set value that can be used for other services at the same venue. And remind the person that they can keep on whatever clothes they like and ask to stop at any time.

Occasions

• Birthdays and special dates.
• Christmas, Mother's Day, Father's Day, Valentine's Day.
• Thank-yous: to a colleague, a teacher, someone who helped with a move.
• Demanding phases: after an intense project, exams, a period of caring for someone.
• For new parents, when the baby allows an hour's break.
• Corporate gifts for teams.

The gift voucher: what to check

Before buying, check:

• Validity: how long does the person have to use the voucher? Longer periods give more leeway.
• Booking conditions: how to book (phone, WhatsApp, email), how far in advance, and what happens if the person fails to attend or cancels at the last minute.
• Flexibility: can the type of massage be changed? Can the value be used for another service?
• Transferability: if the person cannot use it, can they give it to someone else?
• Format: physical (card) or digital (PDF by email or message).
• Price visible or not: many venues allow the amount not to appear on the voucher.

Message ideas for the card

• “One hour just for you. No phone, no rush.”
• “Thank you for everything. Now it's your turn to rest.”
• “For the shoulders that carried this year.”
• “Because you look after everyone, it's time someone looked after you.”
• “Happy birthday. Book whenever you like.”

A final piece of advice

Give time as well. Many people receive a voucher and end up not using it for lack of opportunity. If you can, agree a moment with the person (“I'll look after the children on Saturday morning”) or remind them, a few weeks later, to book.

At Luxmed Clinic

At Luxmed Clinic, in Algés, you can give vouchers for relaxing massage, massage focused on the back, neck and shoulders, lymphatic drainage and other massages, or a voucher with a set value for the person to choose. Massages are carried out by a massage therapist and drainage requires a medical indication. Before each session, we have a brief conversation about the health and preferences of the person receiving it, to adapt the massage.

Massage is a wellbeing complement and does not replace medical assessment or treatment.

Frequently asked questions