Gift-Giving & the Massage Newbie (Part 1)

Valentine's Day . . . birthdays . . . anniversaries . . . Mother's Day . . . Arbor Day . . . these are all time-honored occasions that can include gift-giving (and massive anxiety when you go to shop for the gifts, of course). 

Sometimes, clients ask me whether a massage Gift Certificate would be a good idea for someone who has never tried massage therapy. While you may love receiving massages, you occasionally have some concerns about purchasing a gift certificate for someone who is a Massage Newbie:

• What if Aunt Mary is nervous about trying massage therapy? 
• How do I know what kind of massage to buy for her?
• What happens if she doesn't come in, and her gift certificate expires?
• Will she like it? Should I just get her another kitchen gadget instead?

What if they are nervous about trying massage for the first time? I frequently meet clients who are nervous and unsure whether they will like it. Here are a few ways that I do my best to make them feel more comfortable:

• Assure them that many first-time massage clients feel nervous about what to expect
• Sit down with them before the treatment, go over their medical history and health questionnaire, and find out if there is anything they would like me to focus their session on
• Explain the general flow of the massage, what areas will be massaged, and how they will be covered with the draping
• Encourage them to ask questions and let me know about the pressure during the session
• As much as possible, I believe in giving my clients a non-rushed atmosphere :)

Well! I know how it feels to be living in the Valley of Indecision (it's just down the road from the Pitfall of Insecurity). Gift-giving can cause a lot of anxiety, but here is my anti-anxiety Gift-Giving Guarantee: If your giftee doesn't use their gift certificate within one year, they have the option of you using the gift instead. No worries about your gift going to waste!

Next time, we'll look at how you choose what kind of massage gift to buy for a Massage Newbie . . .