Holiday Gift Guide: Services Under $100

The holidays are fast approaching, which means it’s time to start brainstorming gift ideas for friends, spouses and loved ones. If you’re interested in gifting your loved one with an experience rather than a physical option, gifting them a service is a unique and memorable way to express their importance to you. We compiled a list of a few services that might make special holiday gifts this season.

A Tattoo

A tattoo can be a special holiday gift that your loved one will cherish for the rest of their life. One of the most important steps before gifting a tattoo, though, making sure that the person you’re giving it to has plans to get a tattoo. If they do, covering the cost of the tattoo, or helping contribute to the cost of a larger, more elaborate piece, is a special way to spoil your loved one and provide them with a permanent gift from you.

If your loved one already has a favorite artist or studio, you can get them a gift certificate. Otherwise, you can talk to them about their plans and either let them know in advance that you want to contribute, or you can go with them to get the studio, and quietly let the artist know that the bill (or part of the bill) is on you.

One thing to keep in mind when giving a tattoo as a gift is that costs of tattoos can vary greatly. According to TattooModels.com, an hour at a shop is usually around $100, and a small tattoo starts at around $50. That said, the size, color, placement and design of the tattoo can all influence the cost, and larger, more elaborate pieces can run over $1,000, so just be sure to check with your loved one about their plans and whether you can afford to contribute.

A Massage

A massage is a great holiday gift option, especially if a loved one has been stressed out or over-worked. According to a Mayo Clinic article, massage may be helpful for patients suffering from anxiety, headaches, stress-related insomnia, sports injuries, joint pain, digestive disorders, and a number of other health concerns. Most massages cost between $50 and $90 per hour, according to data compiled by Thervo, with the average price for a massage around $75. That number can vary based on location and individual provider, with some high-end practitioners charging more.

For the athlete of the family, a sports massage can be a great option for injury prevention and to address soreness. Other options include a deep tissue massage for relief from muscle damage, a Swedish massage for relaxation, and a trigger point massage for tight muscles.

Spa Services

A spa gift certificate is a great holiday gift option for the loved one you want to spoil, but you’re not quite sure how. While spas almost always offer massages, they also offer a variety of other treatments, including facials and body treatments. A body treatment is a service that tends to involve two parts: the exfoliation of dead skin all over the body and then a moisturizing wrap. Many spas offer a salt or sugar scrub for the exfoliation portion and then follow up with a cream, clay, mud, or seaweed wrap to nourish your skin, according to TripSavvy. If your loved one isn’t in the mood for one of these services, they can also get a hair removal treatment at many spas, or relax in a sauna or steam room.

A Mani-Pedi

A mani-pedi can be a great holiday gift option for a friend or family member in need of a little pampering and relaxation. According to the At Home Diva blog, the benefits of a manicure and pedicure treatment are manifold; they’ve been known to: keep nails healthy, stimulates blood circulation, exfoliates dead skin cells, contributes to softer, smoother skin, and even relieves stress.

Manicures vary in price, but most start around $10-$15 at small local shops, $20-$25 at spas, and $25-$45 at resorts and high-end spas, although those figures vary by location and whether the customer selects additional add-ons such as acrylics and jewels. Pedicures tend to run from $15-$25 at small local shops, from $35-$40 at spas, and $45-$50 at resorts and high end spas, according to data from the Cost Helper Health blog.

A Trip to the Salon or Barber 

If your friend or family member has a favorite barber or hair salon, a gift certificate can be a wonderful gift to keep them feeling fresh and glamorous. For men, a trip to the barber could include a cut and style as well as a shave with a hot towel and balm treatment. For ladies, a salon gift certificate could include a cut and styling as well as coloring services. Many salons also offer hair removal, manicures and pedicures, and other beauty services.