Administrative Professionals’ Day Gift Ideas

It takes a team of bright humans to help my scattered self look oranized and professional! I’m thankful for the East Village Spa Administrative Team. L-R Cassie (me!) Spa Owner, Anne, Assistant Spa Director, Vianey, Guest Experience Assistant, Kelly, Spa Director.

Do you have a person or team of people at work that you couldn’t manage without? I definitely do! Administrative Professionals’ Day is April 21st, 2021. Normally, Administrative Professionals are the ones on top of important dates, but this one is all you!

Need some ideas beyond flowers, donuts or lunch? We’ve got you!

Gift cards

We offer gift cards in-spa and online for any dollar amount. Gift cards are good for 5 years on retail and services. If you’re shopping at the spa, we can help you select a fun little gift to include for immediate enjoyment.

Thinking of planning a surprise spa day for your team? We strongly suggest going the gift card route instead and giving them plenty of notice to enjoy a day or half day off to select the services they most enjoy on a day they can truly relax and get the full benefit of a spa day.

Personalized gift for a coffee lover

I love combinging a thoughtful small indulgence like a coffee (or tea…we have that too!) scented body scrub with a gift card to someone’s favorite local coffee or tea shop.

Handwashing repair kit: Our best selling gift set!

This value-priced set includes 3 must-haves for people who are constantly washing their hands and using sanitizer. A hydrating shea butter hand cream, cuticle oil, and a honey mask that works great overnight or anytime dry skin becomes too much. These are available in several scents and have been very popular workplace gifts! These are great for remote teams and we’ll include chocolates and a note for shipping!

Breathe and Relax Pack

This is a perfect “thank you” for people in high stress positions. The shower mist is a top seller for men and women to make mornings a bit brighter, and the bath soaks help ease the tension of a long day or a challenging project.

These are great for shipping to remote team members and we always include a note and chocolates!

Customized gifts, in spa or shipped!

Let us help you shop! Call (515) 309-2904 and let us know what you need for your administrative team. We’ll ask a few questions and help put together customized gifts for everyone in your group from the person with the fully stocked candy dish to the weekend warrior. We’ll wrap and prepare them for pick up or fast shipping.

Skin care for gender affirming treatments and procedures

Transgender individuals may experience a wide array of skin changes, sometimes quite abruptly, during gender affirming hormone treatments. In addition to breakouts or changes in skin texture, hair changes can cause in-growns. Gender affirming surgeries also have a risk of scarring. Licensed estheticians are able to help with these challenges to assist their transgender guests to transition more comfortably.

Solutions for Acne:

Acne vulgaris is a common and chronic skin disease characterized by the formation of blackheads and whiteheads, papules, pustules, nodules, and cysts. Androgen hormones can lead to acne, as well as increased sebum (oil) production and clogged hair follicles. Acne may present on the face, back, and chest.

Often, people attack acne with overly aggressive scrubs which can spread bacteria and further inflame pustules. Another common mistake is using harsh drug store ingredients like skin drying wipes, or skipping essential hydration which then leads to an increase in oil production as skin tries to compensate. Acne prone skin is inflamed and angry and like the saying goes, you can’t fight fire with fire. The products below will help nurture and calm skin.

For mild to moderate acne, a skin care regimen that addresses the root causes might include:

Beta Green Tea Cleanser: A gentle blend of salicylic acid and green tea helps with inflammation and keeps excess oil at bay, without stripping skin of needed moisture.

Mandelic Arginine Serum: A gentle blend of acids designed to exfoliate skin over time without irritation or spreading bacteria. This product also minimizes excess oil without stripping skin of moisture.

Balancing Grape Seed Serum: Wild Yam extract in this serum suports skin with hormone imbalances. If you watched the show Grace and Frankie you’ve learned the benefits of wild yam for menopausal hormone changes! It works for skin too. You’ll see this product recommended frequently for any hormonal transitions.

Blemish Serum: Use this as a spot treatment on blemishes or lesions. This is a far better choice than picking at them!

Growth Factor Gel: A daily moisturizer suited for oily and acne prone skin that absorbs quickly and calms irritation.

Rhonda Allison skincare ideal for breakouts

Solutions for changes in face and body hair, including ingrowns

People taking feminizing hormones may wish to undergo hair removal. In the beginning, coarser hairs might be best treated with a laser hair procedure as opposed to waxing to thin the hair. Laser hair removal breaks down the hair cells, slowing growth. This is not a service we offer at East Village Spa, but is what we generally recommend. Waxing some coarser facial hair can lead to irritation and ingrowns and isn’t always advised.

As people age, androgen hormones trigger longer, bushier hair in the ears and eyebrows. Our licensed esthetician, Cassandra, noted that people who have shaped their eyebrows with waxing from a younger age often will have less hair growing in general, those starting later in life will be “catching up” but with a knowledgeable esthetician, even bushy brows can be still beautifully shaped and products like a brow mousse can help to keep them in place.

Ingrown hairs can be treated similarly to other breakouts. Cleanse the area with a cleanser like Beta Green Tea Cleanser (see above) or All Purpose Cleansing Pads, then spot treat with Beta Green Tea Lotion, which is a toner, 1-3x per week. Our power player for hormonal imbalances, Balancing Grape Seed Serum with Wild Yam Extract (see above) is also a useful product to treat areas prone to in-grown hairs.

Estrogen-related changes

Estrogen can cause skin to thicken and become more dry. It can also increase melanocytes which can lead to melasma, or areas of skin that darken unevenly. Melasma is particularly prevalent in people taking estrogen and darker skin types, but can impact all skin types.

To counteract dryness and thickening skin, a cleanser like the Beta Green Tea cleanser with anti-inflammatory properties and a gentle skin exfoliating acid like Mandlic Arginine Serum are appropriate. It is important to have the correct moisturizer to help counteract dryness, as well as a hydrating eye and lip serum.

For melasma, see a licensed esthetician for the best products for your skin. They might also recommend a series of professional treatments like peels or hydrafacials. Because everyone is different, it is hard to say the best course of action based on your skin type without a consultation.

Scarring

Post surgical scarring is a concern for many. To prevent keloids (thick, raised scars), products that increase skin cell turnover quickly and heal skin are appropriate soon after procedures.

Growth Factor Serum expedites health skin tissue regrowth.

Therapy E Serum rebuilds and repairs skin that has been traumatized. It is ideal for scar prevention and repair.

An important component of scar prevention and relief is self-massage of scar tissue. This video from Breathe Physical Therapy focuses on a c-section scar, but the concepts are easy to follow and apply to any surgical scar tissue.

We are here for you!

At East Village Spa, we are here for you and honored to support you at any point in your transition or your life. If you have questions, the best way to contact us is to e-mail [email protected] and one of our licensed estheticians can assist you that way. If you are local to Des Moines, IA, we’d love to see you for a service to best assess your skin needs or offer more advanced treatment options. Not local? Feel free to shoot us a note via e-mail and we’ll reach out to our nationwide network to help you find an esthetician who is a perfect fit.

Best contact? [email protected], visit our website at http://www.evdayspa.com or http://www.shopeastvillagespa.com!

Want to do a deeper dive? One great resource for dermatological issues to be aware of with gender affirming procedures is this article from the National Institute of Health.

Choose the best type of lotion for dry hands and body

Winter is always rough on hands, but between the extra handwashing we’re doing (we HOPE you re too!) and the excessive cold snap, our hands are downright painful. Here are a few tips to find the best type of lotion for yours hands and body.

Shea Butters: the MOST hydrating

Any of our Farmhouse Fresh lotions labeled as a “Shea Butter” are going to offer the richest hydration. These are best for dry, cracked hands and heels, elbows. Supple butters and vitamin E-packed jojoba and soybean oils calm even the severest of dry skin, without a hint of a greasy feel. We love these at night or right after washing hands.

Body Milks: Quick absorbing full body hydration

Farmhouse Fresh body milk and steeped milk lotions pour over you like milk and absorb quickly, making them ideal for applying to hands and body, as they’ll absorb faster, these are great after a shower or bath.

The Sweet Cream body milk is a slightly thinner consistency and is VEGAN but not nut free, infused with a blend of natural oils that provide lasting softness to skin: Vitamin E-rich Rice Bran oil, Jojoba Seed oil, Sweet Almond, Avocado and Sesame.

The steeped milk lotions feature freshly steeped coconut milk is blended into the lotion for velvety softness. They do contain non-vegan ingredients that vary per scent (i.e. honey.)

Body Oils: The versatile hydration you didn’t know you needed!

Body oils are for far more than giving or receiving a massage! These versatile products are excellent for use right after a shower or bath, when lotion feels cold on warm skin. Oils absorb well in a full body application. In addition, these soak into cuticles to hydrate and help you avoid painful, infected cuticles. If you wear Shellac or gel polish, oils are also best to keep the nails hydrated underneath. You can even use just the tiniest amount to smooth unruly hair or beards too.

Love taking a hot bath in the winter? Consider adding a tablespoon or so of these oils to the bath, especially if you soak in epsom salts. This will help keep your skin from drying out. Just be careful getting out of the tub!

Moon Dip: Age Defying Mousse

Moon dip hand and body mousses are new to our spa and we love them! Formulated to include firming peptides, these do double duty to hydrate and provide anti-aging support with a light, powder finish.

Handwashing relief kit: A bit of everything!

Our three assorted handwashing relief kits include a Honey mask that has fruit enzymes to “digest” dead skin and reveal softer skin that’s ready for a rich shea butter hydration. We also include a CND Solar Oil cuticle oil to help keep cuticles healthy and free from painful tears or infection. These kits are a best-selling gift at www.shopeastvillagespa.com.

Not sure which lotion is best for you? Visit www.ShopEastVillageSpa.com for great scent descriptions and more!

5 best-selling products of 2020

I asked Kelly, our spa director and web store genius to compile a list of our top selling retail products from the last year. When we saw the mix of items, they absolutely made sense as products many of us use! I have every single one of these products in my home right now!

1. Kneipp Lavender Bath Salts

Kneipp Lavender Bath Salts available at www.ShopEastVillageSpa.com

The blend of pure essential oils found in Kneipp Relaxing Mineral Bath Salt can help you decompress and unwind after a stressful day. The unique crystalline structure of the thermal spring salt naturally absorbs more Lavender essential oil for a highly concentrated, effective bath. When added to warm water, the familiar floral aroma fills the air, mentally transporting you to serene lavender field in Southern France for a moment of tranquility. Take time to quiet the world around you and prepare for some much-needed beauty rest.

Kneipp Mineral Bath Salts contain hand-processed, natural thermal spring salt sourced from a 250-million-year-old ocean buried 1500 ft below the Earth’s surface. The ancient thermal brine is free of chemical additives and environmental influences, producing salt in its purest form, uncontaminated by the pollutants of the modern world. The high concentration of trace elements and minerals that naturally occur in our deep-sea salt gently cleanses and softens the skin as you relax in the tub. 

2. East Village Spa Lacrosse Ball

We love lacrosse balls for DIY trigger point release and myofascial massage. Our licensed massage therapists love showing their guests exercises for home care. This is an inexpensive tool that you can keep at your desk or even in your purse or gym bag.

A review published in the International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy found that self-myofascial release may: increase joint range of motion, help muscle performance, decrease fatigue after exercise, decrease soreness after exercise.

3. Rhonda Allison Mandelic Au Lait

A hydrating, lightweight moisturizer, Mandelic Au Lait is a highly versatile blend of superior antibacterial ingredients and soothing elements making it an excellent choice for a wide variety of skin issues, including acne and rosacea skin types.

Apply Mandelic Au Lait to face and neck and let absorb. May be worn day and night, over other serums and correctives and layered under SPF when used during the day

4. Farmhouse Fresh Honey Heel Glaze

A scrumptious bottle of love for heels and toes. Our team personally loves it for dry, chapped hands too! This divine honey-based serum seals in moisture and brings rich color back to tired feet. It’s been called the Instant Pedicure. Simply brush on and rub into feet for chalkless bliss – no more white ashy look!

This golden jar is a true guilty pleasure from the first moment you let it breathe – fragranced with velvety cinnamon notes, sweet cloves and actual honey.

The finest of moisturizing elements have been incorporated from genuine honey, and aloe leaf juice to pineapple and papaya fruit extracts. Honey Heel Glaze is ultra-smooth, non-greasy, and addictive in every way.

5. Eurospa Shower Mist in Eucalyptus Mint

We carry Eurospa shower mists in 5 scents, but our top seller in 2020 was the Eucalyptus Mint scent. Pure Eucalyptus Oil is infused with fresh, tingling Mint essential oil. The quality and purity of these oils are what deliver such wonderful scents. In addition to transforming your shower into an at-home spa experience, you will also receive the full benefits derived from these aromatic oils.

Mint oil is the perfect home remedy for nausea and headaches. Mint also provides relief from stress, depression and mental exhaustion. The fresh tingly sensation will awake your senses, and help combat anxiety and restlessness. Mint stimulates mental activity, clears the mind, and increases focus on cognitive tasks. Your shower transformed from a daily task to an escape that offers benefits you will enjoy all day long.

What are your favorite products from www.ShopEastVillageSpa.com? We offer quick shipping in the U.S. as well as free parking lot pick-up and in-spa browsing for those who are local to Des Moines. Have questions? Our online store is backed up by a team of licensed experts who all use and love our products. We’re happy to help over the phone at (515) 309-2904 or via e-mail at [email protected].

Three Freebies for the best shopping weekend of the year!

We’re not open for services right now, but our gift shops (brick and mortar and online store) are open and we are ready to help you with the perfect gifts for wellness, peace, and relaxation this season.
For Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, and Cyber Monday, take advantage of these three FREE offers!

We’re not open for services right now, but our gift shops (brick and mortar and online store) are open and we are ready to help you with the perfect gifts for wellness, peace, and relaxation this season.

For Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, and Cyber Monday, take advantage of these three FREE offers!

Farmhouse Fresh free gift with purchase

Spend $75 on Farmhouse Fresh gifts and select a free limited edition Vanilla Cream or Butter Rum body wash. If you’re shopping online, just add the free gift to your cart and let us know which scent you want (or we can surprise you.) Offer good throughout the holiday season, as long as supplies last.

(Note, you can only use one promo code per online order, if using multiple codes and ordering $75 in Farmhouse Fresh items, just put in the online notes you want the free Farmhouse Fresh gift, but don’t add the item. We’ll get it sorted out for you!)

Rhonda Allison free gift with purchase

Spend $75 on Rhonda Allison products and choose a free Illumicolour lip gloss ($23 value). If shopping online, let us know in the notes if you prefer a nude shade, a pink shade, or a more red shade. Color selection is limited so first come, first dibs!

(Note, you can only use one promo code per online order, if using multiple codes and ordering $75 in Rhonda Allison items, just put in the online notes you want the free lip gloss, but don’t add the item. We’ll get it sorted out for you!)

Free gift Just for being awesome!

Stop in, order online, or just call us from the parking lot (no purchase necessary) and we’ll get you one of our little “A Week of Intention” card packs through Monday. Kelly and Cassie designed these cards with some of the intentions that have kept them getting up and showing up during some really challenging days. And don’t worry, this isn’t another set of “If you can dream it, you can do it!” cards, these are designed for a 2020 reality.

Gift card sale

Our gift card sale is BACK! For every $100 in gift cards purchased IN the spa (excludes e-mail gift cards) you’ll receive a free $20 service voucher good weekdays in 2021.

Our gift shop is still open, even though we’re temporarily pausing services. Stop in M, Tu, Th, F 9:30-6, Wednesday 10-8, Saturday 10-5, or Sunday 11-3.

This year, to make things safe and easy, we’re offering a pre-order option so you don’t have to come into the spa. Just click the button below, fill out the information, and we’ll have your gift card ready for parking lot pick-up or to pop in the mail!

We’re eager to assist you, however is safe and comfortable for you this holiday season! Call, stop in (masks and sanitizer required), shop online, or arrange for parking lot pick-up. We’ll even happily set up a time for you to enjoy private shopping in our spa or a face-time visit if you’d like a more close-up look at products.

Reach East Village Spa’s team at (515) 309-2904 (call or text) or [email protected]. East Village Spa is located at 601 East Locust Street, Suite 202, Des Moines, IA 50309. Our web store, www.ShopEastVillageSpa.com offers quick shipping throughout the United States.

5 tips when shopping for vegan and environmentally friendly lifestyles

Show you care, with gifts that honor a vegan lifestyle and sustainability preferences. Here are 5 tips

vegan and sustainable gifts from East Village Spa including chocolate, jewelry, body care, nail polish.
Pictured clockwise from top left: Farmhouse Fresh Hello Yello Shea Butter Lotion, Morphew Designs Earrings, Farmhouse Fresh Coconut Cream Shea Butter Soap, Zoya Nail Polish, Equal Exchange Organic Chocolate.

1. Packaging matters: avoid plastic if you can. Look for glass bottles or paper packaging. FarmHouse Fresh Goods has great glass packaging for many items.

2. Bar soaps wrapped in paper are low waste and our Shea butter soaps are richly hydrating.

3. Look for local and handmade over mass-produced and shipped from overseas. The further a product travels, the bigger the environmental footprint. We carry beautiful Morphew Designs made right here in central Iowa!

4. Check labels to see if products are vegan. Common animal ingredients in skincare include milk or whey, beeswax, lanolin, or keratin. Zoya Nail Polish and Treatments is totally vegan as are many Farmhouse Fresh lotions!

5. Some dark chocolate is vegan. When purchasing chocolate, know the source. Chocolate is often sourced in ways that violate ethical human labor standards. Equal Exchange chocolates use fair labor, fair trade, and their dark chocolate flavors are vegan (they’re also kosher!)

This is just a small assortment of our vegan and sustainable collection of items available at www.shopeastvillagespa.com or in our brick and mortar store in Des Moines, IA. We’re always happy to help with suggestions and read some labels for you over the phone if you have questions about whether an ingredient is appropriate for a vegan lifestyle!

New to professional skincare? Try a DIY Facial Kit!

By guest blogger, Joni Etheredge, our Guest Experience Assistant

Shortly after I started working at East Village Spa, COVID19 forced our 3 month closure.  During that time I ran out of my big box store facial products and needed to get more.  I decided to switch up my skin care routine and try the spa’s Rhonda Allison products. During my quarantine, the spa’s online store made it super easy to order and pick up curbside or get it mailed. 

Joni with two of her favorite products, the Beta Green Tea cleanser and the Cleansing Pads.

I started off with the acne DIY facial kit we were selling which included the Beta Green Tea Cleanser, Skin Brightening Enzyme, Wasabi Mask and the Hydrating Grape Seed Serum.  Surprisingly I enjoyed the process even though I’ve never been much for spending time on my skin care.  This may have been because quarantine meant I had lots of time on my hands. 

Cleansing was easy with the beta green tea.  Then I moved on to using the skin brightening enzyme that had to sit for 10-15 minutes so I checked emails that I didn’t have, and read a little to pass the time.  DING, time to remove with a soft damp cloth as the instructions suggest.  It was nice to not have water dripping down my arms from just running and splashing water.  On to the Wasabi mask; at first this was a little spicy but after a minute my skin calmed down. The spicy feeling seemed to lessen after several weeks of using this product in my facial routine.

Last on to the Grape seed hydrating serum for moisturizing.  It definitely was hydrating and made my skin feel great especially after the enzyme and wasabi.  After getting my routine down I switched my moisturizer to the Aloe Matte for daily use since during the summer my skin can get oily.  The grape seed serum could leave me feeling oily so I also switched to the Mandelic Au Lait on days I masked with the enzyme and wasabi since it could leave me feeling more dry. 

I also was looking for the products that had antibacterial properties in them because I always deal with a lot of jawline and cheek acne and blemishes.  I added the Mandelic Perfecting Polish later to my routine a couple times per week for exfoliation.  It was fun to have something new to learn about during my quarantine time!

***

Are you curious about our DIY Rhonda Allison Facials and aren’t able to visit yet, or still staying home as often as possible due to COVID19? Maybe you live further away but want the benefit of professional skincare with advice from licensed professionals. Visit www.ShopEastVillageSpa.com to see what we offer. Several include videos by East Village Spa’s Lead Esthetician, Camille Arbegast, to help you decide what will work for you! You’re welcome to e-mail us at [email protected] and put “skincare” in the subject line. Let us know your skin concerns and a licensed esthetician can make some professional suggestions for you!

Skin care for your body

Is the skin on your body feeling dull, dry, or experiencing breakouts? We have services that can help! If you’re just feeling stressed and wanting to indulge a bit, we can manage that too! Combine one of these body services with a manicure, pedicure, or even a foot massage for a really decadant alternative to a vacation.

Is the skin on your body feeling dull, dry, or experiencing breakouts? We have services that can help! If you’re just feeling stressed and wanting to indulge a bit, we can manage that too! Combine one of these body services with a manicure, pedicure, or even a foot massage for a really decadant alternative to a vacation.

Body Treatment at East Village Spa

Hawaiian Full Body Skin Rejuvenation

You read that right! This hour of bliss starts with a deep cleanse for the skin on your back, arms, leg, hands and feet with 5 different Hawaiian fruit acides and extracts that smell like a trip to the islands. This will prepare your skin for your esthetician to massage in an exfoliating cream peel, then provide light circulatory massage techniques that nourish your skin with hydrating oils. Ths service gently exfoliates surface dead skin cells. Your skin will also feel smooth, brightened, firmed and toned. You thought a skincare treatment for your face was relaxing? This is divine and just in time to bare skin for summer.

Aromatherapy Body Scrub

Start by working with your massage therapist or esthetician to blend a custom-scented aromatherapy massage oil to use with our milk and sugar scrub for a 45 minute full-body exfoliaition. This scrub will soften skin, boost circulation, and relieve stress. As our gift, you’ll receive the remainder of your aromatherapy massage oil and a whole jar of scrub in the same scent to enjoy at home!

We hope to see you at the spa soon, but we understand a spa visit isn’t safe for everyone right now. Whether you’re staying in due to an underlying health concern or you’re quarantining because you’ve been exposed or have recently traveled or attended a large event we have great options for you to enjoy a bit of the spa at home. Visit our online spa shop for DIY facial kits, yummy body scrub scents, bath salts, and more! We thank you for keeping yourself and those around you safe!

Gift card FAQ and troubleshooting

We love the simplicity of online gift cards and for those who are new to purchasing from our Zenoti online store, we’re happy to walk you through the process. First things first, PLEASE create an account. We don’t use this to market to you, but it is imperative if the recipient loses the gift card or accidentally deletes the e-mail. We can use your name to help find it. If you check out as a guest, it is really awkward when someone calls to ask for our help locating a gift card they’ve lost and doesn’t want to fess up to the purchaser. Click here for our online booking and gift card store.

Get to the online gift card page

Step 1 (desktop or laptop computer): Click the green “Book now or purchase gift card” button. From there, click the tab on the top right for “Gift Cards” and that will take you to our online gift card page.

If you’re using a phone or tablet, it will look different (see below). Go to our home page and click the green “book now or purchase gift card” button on top, then you’ll get to the mobile enabled page which has the menu as 3 bars in the top right corner. Click that for the menu to appear.

The menu on the phone will then look like this:

Select your amount

Once you’ve selected the “Gift Cards” tab, you’ll choose an amount. We have several pre-selected amounts, or if you scroll to the bottom there is an option for a customized amount.

We do not sell gift cards for specific services as our menu changes seasonally.

Complete your order and e-mail your gift card

Once you’ve selected your amount, you can choose where the gift card will be sent. If want to print and hand-deliver or mail your gift card, enter your own e-mail address to have it sent to you. If you want to e-mail it to someone else, use their e-mail address. Remember, please create an account. I promise it will be worth the extra time if the gift card is lost or accidentally deleted. You’ll usually get the receipt right away but it takes a few minutes to get the actual e-mailed gift card.

Troubleshooting

If you have an issue with your online gift cards, fear not (especially if you created the account like we asked you to!) These are the most common issues and solutions.

  • The recipient (or I) never received the e-mail! It is probably in a spam folder or security net. Tell them to search for an e-mail from [email protected]. Some work e-mails from government agencies, law or financial firms sometimes catch our gift card e-mails up in their security settings for a few days.
  • Your online booking system won’t accept my gift card number to reserve an appointment. As it states on our online scheduler, a credit card is required to hold your reservation, but you can pay with your gift card at the time of service. We won’t charge the credit card used to reserve the appointment unless the appointment is missed without adequate cancellation notice. You can use your gift card to reserve an appointment over the phone.
  • I sent the gift card awhile ago but we lost it. You can re-send it! Keep your receipt, you’ll need the gift card number and the e-mail address. You can re-send it or check the balance to see if it has been used. Go back to the gift card tab and click the green button to “resend my gift card”

If all of the above don’t work, don’t hesitate to give us a call at (515) 309-2904 or e-mail [email protected] with details about the date of purchase, your name, the recipient’s name, and the amount of the gift card. We sincerely appreciate you thinking of us for your gift and can’t wait to take amazing care of your loved ones at East Village Spa!

Secret Santa and Host Gift Ideas

Today on Star 102.5, Ken, Colleen, and Kurt talked about the stress of being a Secret Santa. I think the same can be said of host gifts when you’re invited to a dinner party or gathering and instructed to “Just bring yourself!” Here are a few simple ideas that could work for both!

Spices from East Village Shops

My current favorite gifting spice is the Ammazza Suocera spicy Italian seasoning from Allspice (also available at Cooking with Alessandra.) This translates to “Kill the Mother in Law” so you may want to select something like the Everything Bagel seasoning or a pumpkin pie spice if you’re visiting a future or current mother-in-law.

Hydrating hand creams

Farmhouse Fresh Ginger Lotion from East VIllage Spa

A hydrating hand cream from Farmhouse Fresh, available at East Village Spa, is a great gift for anyone who’s preparing a big meal and cleaning for company. Bonus points for animal lovers. Farmhouse Fresh donates a portion of their proceeds to animal rescue and is situated on a farm animal rescue sanctuary!

Cute dish towels and recipe cards

Doe a Deer Dish Towels

Stop into one of our favorite gift shops in the East Village, Ephemera, for cute and locally crafted dish towels and recipe cards. These are great secret Santa gifts for the co-worker who is always bringing treats, and a perfect host gift when you’re told not to bring anything to share!

Room mists for a great cause

Thistle Farms Room Mist East Village Spa

Thistle Farms aromatherapy room mists in limited edition holiday scents are a perfect gift for a host or Secret Santa. Thistle Farms supports women survivors of trafficking, abuse, and addiction. These women craft their beautiful products and the proceeds from their products goes back into the helping with the amazing work Thistle Farms does. Available along with many other Thistle Farms products at East Village Spa.

At home foot treatment

The Farmhouse Fresh Pedi Delight set is a great gift option, with a foot or body scrub, lotion, and our top selling Hydrating Honey hand, foot, or body mask. This is great for a secret Santa and can be divided up over multiple days OR as a host gift for someone who has been on their feet preparing for guests! Available at East Village Spa

Need something in a pinch? Try an online gift card!

Did you forget a last minute gift? We’ve got you covered! East Village Spa offers online gift cards in any denomination that you can print and hand-deliver from your office! Purchase yours here!