Gifts that’ll pamper

A manicure-pedicure seems like a good choice to pamper clients. But if you buy one for all your clients, it’ll cost you. A basic mani-pedi in Victoria, B.C. at Rachael D’s Nails averages $90. In Regina, Sask. at Just For You Day Spa, you’ll pay $105. And in Ottawa, a mani-pedi at Warren Chase Urban Retreat for Men costs $105. So mani-pedis for 100 clients will cost you from $9,000 to $10,500, and you probably won’t be remembered for it.

Resist too the urge to buy branded nail files. To purchase 250 (which is the minimum order) at artik.com, it’ll cost $550. And they’ll get thrown into a drawer and ignored.

There are better options.

Low cost, high impact $15/client

Female clients can be prepared with a Minimergency Kit from Sephora. For $15, the palm-sized metallic bag is packed with usefuls, including a clothes mending kit, bandages, safety pins, earring backs and pain reliever. Sephora also offers travel bag sets of TSA-approved bottles in a carry-on version for $34, or a checked suitcase version for $46, both of which are perfect for frequent flyers. For male clients, Sephora sells The Art of Shaving’s

Ocean Kelp shaving cream for $30, or the same brand’s 100% pure badger-hair shave brush for $66.

Medium cost, high impact $200/client

Personal care gifts may be too intimate for some, so these options require you to know your client. You can send male clients to Jolanta’s Spa in Waterloo, Ont. for a spa package that includes facial, massage and sport pedicure for $200. A VIP spa day for ladies includes lunch, facial and mani-pedi for $280. A half-day at the Remedy Facial Bar and Spa in Halifax with facial, mani-pedi and massage costs $240. A half-day for men at the Spirit Urban Spa in Halifax features an all-sports massage, hot towel facial and sandal-ready pedicure for $225.

High cost, high impact $2,000/client

A-list clients deserve a once-in-a-lifetime experience and the Willow Stream Spa at the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel in Alberta makes the cut. Depending on the season, top-of-the-line rooms on the concierge floor with a mountain view cost between $559 and $2,419 per night (plus taxes and fees). This includes breakfast in the concierge lounge. Parking is an additional $25 per night, or $35 for valet. A full day at the spa costs $715, while a four-hour session is $515 and a 90-minute massage costs $275. Flight and transportation to Banff is extra. Calgary is the nearest airport and Banff is about 90 minutes away. A limo from Calgary to Banff costs $200 to $350, and an airport shuttle is also available.

Fun fact

81% of consumers are “extremely” or “very” interested in improving their personal wellness by exercising, eating better or visiting a spa.

Source: Global Spa Summit

Lisa MacColl is an Ontario-based financial writer.