Top Ten Gifts for the Massage Therapist

Gifts for the Massage Therapist can range from practical to frivolous. If you frequent a particular Massage Therapist, you may want to give a monetary gift or select from one of these gift ideas. If your son, daughter, or friend is a Massage Therapist, these gift suggestions should be helpful in selecting a special Christmas gift:

1. Music CD: Music is a vital part of the massage therapist's environment and clients' likes vary. Giving a musical selection is great as it increases the selections the therapist can use. I find that soothing music accompanied by the sounds of the sea is very relaxing. Some suggestions are to select music created especially for tranquility, serenity or relaxation. Music for Massage by Steve Halpern is very soothing and popular with clients. It sells for $15.98. Dejas Blues also sells for $15.98 and combines the deep sounds of bamboo flute, keyboard and guitar. Some clients enjoy vocals and Paint the Sky With Stars by Enya is a good choice.

2. A Massage: Most Massage Therapists trade a massage with a colleague but would appreciate having a gift certificate for a massage that they can just enjoy without having to do a massage in return. Perhaps it can be combined with a spa package and include a manicure and pedicure.

3. Magazines: Most Massage Therapists like to keep current with new techniques and modalities, so a gift subscription to a magazine is ideal. Massage and Bodywork costs $32.00 for a year while Massage costs $24.95. Both of these magazines offer articles on techniques, business acumen, new products such as oils and music, and educational courses.

4. Scented Oils: Scented oils can be expensive and it is a nice gift idea for a massage therapist to give a gift basket with a variety of scented oils that can be combined with massage oils. Vanilla, jasmine, lavender, rosemary, and eucalyptus are popular scents and have healing properties associated with them. For example, eucalyptus is energizing while lavender and jasmine are relaxing. These oils are generally priced around $10.00.

5. Scent Diffusers or Candles: Candle light and scent creates a quiet peaceful atmosphere for a massage. A gift of scented candles or a diffuser with scented oils is appreciated. Again such scents as vanilla, jasmine, and lavender are good choices.

6. Plants: Plants are therapeutic and help create a soft soothing atmosphere. Green plants such as a philodendron or a spider plant or a flowering plant such as the Christmas Cactus can be a wonderful gift for the Massage Therapist.

7. Fun Stuff: T-shirts, mugs and bumper stickers with massage sayings can be great little gift items. Even an apron with a massage theme can be beneficial as it can protect the therapist clothes from the oils used. Clothing such as sweatshirts and t-shirts with hands and the word massage therapy are good choices. Tote bags to carry oils, sheets and other supplies for the massage therapist who makes house calls will be appreciated. Baseball style caps are good choices for the male therapist. Plaques and ornaments are fine picks.

8. Promotional Items for Massage Therapy: Water Colors which is base on line offers promotional items including a license plate cover ($6.50), gift cards, posters, door hangers ($2.50), and bumper stickers ($3.50). Some posters depict anatomical structures while others promote massage benefits. There are postcard sets for the therapist to send to clients for birthdays, for new clients, and as reminders. All these items help promote the therapist's business.

9. Continuing Education Course: Most massage therapists are required to take continuing education courses especially if they are licensed. Many therapists take the courses just to learn new techniques. For example, a course in Reiki and pain management of the upper back and neck are two types of courses that would be advantageous. There is a wide range of courses and prices. There are even some courses offered on cruise ships so that you can learn as well as have fun.

10. Massage Videos and Books: Most therapists enjoy learning new techniques and there are a variety of videos and books that will help the therapist with bodywork and with business skills. Massage Therapy for Professionals, a book, is priced at $ 21.95. There are videos on Lomi Lomi Massage and Esalen Massage Techniques that a therapist would enjoy viewing and also be able to learn new techniques.