Things You'll Need:
- Mother's Day card
-
Step 1
Call at least 3 weeks in advance, and book the appointment for the week following Mother's Day to keep it a surprise.
-
Step 2
Choose an aromatherapy facial massage if you want to spend less. Tell the spa or salon whether your mom has sensitive, oily, dry or normal skin, so the treatment can be tailored to her needs.
-
Step 3
Decide how much you will spend. A full-body massage is relatively expensive and takes about 1 hour. Aromatherapy can focus on a few specific areas and still deliver the full, holistic benefit, allowing you to choose a partial treatment if necessary.
-
Step 4
Book a partial aromatherapy massage if your mother has poor self-image due to age and weight gain. This will involve only the back, legs, feet, arms, hands, neck, scalp and face, leaving most of your mother's body covered.
-
Step 5
Schedule an open-ended reservation if your mother is a very busy person. That way, she can go anytime during the designated week. However, she may have a short wait.
-
Step 6
Confirm that the massage therapist has been trained and has experience using essential oils. Massage therapists are frequently state certified, but aromatherapy is not. The oils can be useless or even harmful in inexperienced hands.
-
Step 7
Communicate any health concerns with the spa representative. She can then select the appropriate oils and adjust her touch to accommodate allergies and painful conditions, such as osteoporosis.
-
Step 8
Ask the salon or spa to send a gift certificate noting the date and time of the appointment. Tuck this inside your Mother's Day card, along with a map or directions to the spa or salon.
-
Step 9
Add a 15-percent tip to the total if you book with a credit card or check, and mail the check at least 1 week in advance, so it clears before the appointment.
-
Step 10
Advise your mother to arrive at least 15 minutes early to consult with the aromatherapist. Aromatherapy is a holistic approach and works best when the therapist and client are in complete agreement on the treatment plan.
-
Step 11
Provide transportation in the form of a taxi or even limousine service, making the event extra special. Tip 15 percent, and give your mother the phone number so she can call for the taxi or limo driver when she is ready to leave.
