Make a List, Check it Twice
By Laurel House
This year, instead of showing up to the company party or family fete with lackluster boxes of chocolate, give your friends something that they can indulge in without the calories. Help your loved ones untangle mangled muscles, diffuse frayed nerves, and quench parched skin with some of this season's most luxurious at-home spa options. And while you're in the gift giving spirit, don't forget to stuff your own stocking with some holiday loot!
LaLicious's Sugar Souffle Sampler, a three pack of sinfully sweet mini scrubs (Lily Mango, Gardenia, and Passionfruit Lime), is the perfect pampering gift. Made with pure cane sugar and oils like coconut and almond, the seductive scents can seemingly transform a simple shower into an exotic island escape. Who says you have to board an airplane to be de-stressed? Sugar Souffle Sampler, $25, www.LaLicious.com
Along with the merriment of holiday festivities, is the pre-party prep and post-party recovery. Aromatherapy Associates' Party Survival Kit ensures that you always look fabulous (even if you had a few too many at last night's gala). Six essential skin-saving products are packed into this delicious gift set. Before you strap on your most flirty heels, soup up your senses with the sensual blend of Revive Evening Bath & Shower Oil. Post party, relax into a bath of Renew Rose Body Wash to calm you to sleep. Party Survival Kit, $50, www.aromatherapyassociates.com
Before heading to the slopes or staking your claim on a portion of sun-bathed beach, be sure to take proper care of your skin. The Suis for Face & Body Travel Kit, a natural organic skincare line created by a licensed esthetician, is the perfect gift for the jet-setting friend on your list. The convenient carrier contains sunscreen (for skiing or sunning) as well as an exfoliating scrub/mask, a facial treatment gel, an eye creme, and a day/night creme. Suis Travel Pack, $39.50, www.suisskin.com
You may be scarfing down forks full of stuffed hen covered in dressing, generous helpings of grandma's ambrosia salad, and taking seconds of pumpkin pie, but don't forget to let your skin eat too! Your skin is like a sponge sucking up all that is placed on your face. Once the holiday feast is finished, give your guests the Essencia's Face Essentials Gift Basket, filled with naturally nourishing ingredients like oatmeal, lavender, roses, nuts, and honey. Face Essentials Gift Basket, $67.50 www.essenciaonline.com
Top spas around the country slather their guests with Tara Spa's Ayurvedic herbal aromatherapy products to induce an instant state of serenity. Tara Spa Therapy's Nirvana Retreat Gift Set is everything you need to recreate your favorite Ayurvedic spa treatments at home. The travel-size product samplings include: Herbal Infused Body Oil, Hair Oil, Herbal Body Treatment, Hair & Scalp Treatment, and Calming Vata Tea Bags. To help further encourage a Zen-like mental state, Nirvana Retreat includes instructions on nurturing rituals that you can do on your own. Nirvana Retreat Gift Set, $36, www.taraspa.com
November/December 2005
