Christmas is the season for kindling the fire of hospitality in the hall, the genial flame of charity in the heart.

~Washington Irving

Back in the early 90’s I thought I was so smart advertising that Massage Therapy Gift Certificates were Tidings of Comfort and Joy. I even followed that up with; You don’t have to worry about sizes and colors when you buy Massage Therapy Gift Certificates. I am sorry. It has gotten really crazy and I am sure it isn’t just me that sees this. Please note this is the case for many other businesses that sell gift certificates too.

A little truth….

One of the main reasons Massage Therapists track gift certificates, is so we can check them off when they come in and we don’t have people showing up saying they lost it and we have no way to tell if it has been used already.

Yes, there are people out there that have tried that but, it is rare and that isn’t the most concerning thing. The most concerning thing to me is that Massage Therapists do not always follow up on the gift certificates they sell. Every year thousands of Massage Therapy Gift Certificates get shoved in drawers, forgotten in the bottom of purses and tossed out with the wrappings. The money for them stays in the Therapists pockets but, rarely do people let us know they lost one. More often there is amount of money that is received for Gift Certificates that isn’t always earned.

While some people think that is completely awesome it makes us more than uncomfortable. So, we not only track them we will follow up. If you purchase a gift certificate and it isn’t used in a couple months we will let you know so you can remind the person you gave it to. We will do that more than once if necessary. It is tough when you mean well and you get someone something you think they would really appreciate or benefit from and they don’t even try to use it. So here are some tips before you buy that last minute massage gift certificate for someone.

• If they already see a Massage Therapist and are happy with them please do not buy them a gift certificate to see “your” massage therapist. We are flattered but, it isn’t a great idea.

• Please purchase a gift certificate from the therapist they have told you they already see and appreciate or one that they say they would love to try.

• If they already see a Massage Therapist and are not happy with them then maybe a half hour session would be an appropriate purchase. That way they can have a short session, see the office, meet the therapist but, not be committed to a whole hour or hour and a half.

• If they have ever said anything like I just don’t get why you get massages or I would never do that please do not surprise them with a massage gift certificate. We do get it that if they would just get on the table about 85% of those people might change their minds but, a gift certificate might not be the thing that gets them on the table.

• If they have a medical condition please, be very cautious purchasing Massage Therapy Gift Certificates. While all Massage Therapists do massage, many do not have advanced training to work with some medical conditions safely and effectively. There are also a number of medical conditions that massage would be contraindicated for. So ask before you buy the gift certificate. You can ask the person you are purchasing the gift certificate for and ask the therapists you are purchasing the gift certificate from.

• Don’t believe that if you are buying a gift certificate at a spa or place that specializes in relaxation or is a franchise that has many Massage Therapists working for them that the medical issues don’t matter. It is still massage therapy, it matters a lot.

• And if you ever hear the words “that Gift Certificate expired” you might want to inform them of this lovely piece of knowledge. According to the US Credit CARD Act of 2009, “A gift certificate… may contain an expiration date if the expiration date is not earlier than 5 years after the date on which the gift certificate was issued… and the terms of expiration are clearly and conspicuously stated”. ( http://www.chambersburg.org/blog/2015/09/03/when-do-gift-cards-in-pennsylvania-expire ).

So of course Massage Therapy Gift Certificates can be Tidings of Comfort and joy but, there needs to be a little more thought sometimes. Yes, we have them and will be glad to make arrangements for pick up or drop off if you will please just give us a call or text us at 610-906-2322 or email us at Chris@phoenixville-Massage.com .

‘Twas the night before Christmas, when all through my body,
My joints didn’t feel nice, my muscles were knotty;
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
That was the easiest job of the season right there;

Between hanging lights and decorating trees;
Shopping, wrapping and baking, is not a breeze;
The kids were even tired, all crashed in their beds;
While visions of Xbox games danced in their heads;

So just for a moment I sat down to pause,
And consider this lovely generous spirit of Claus,
That pushes us so beyond exhaustion and reason,
When we want to relax and enjoy this season,

When what to my wandering eye did appear;
But an envelope, tucked in the tree, towards the rear,
As I drew closer to see it in the twinkling lights,
I realized this was one of my very best nights.

I saw my name on the front and the logo PMB,
And knew that this was a Massage just for Me!
Santa did exist, he had read my letter!
My muscles and joints will soon feel much better!

Merry Christmas and Blessed Yule to Everyone!
Phoenixville Massage & Bodywork
Christopher and Xerlan Deery