How to Throw a Spa Party

• by Apryl Lundsten

Introduction

• Feeling the need for a little R&R, but can't get away? How about throwing a spa party? Even if you can't jet off to a Maui spa vacation, you can create your own relaxing, rejuvenating and fun retreat. Spa parties are great for girls' nights, bridal and baby showers, birthday parties, or to show your pals how much you appreciate them.

• Plus, it's important to take time out to recharge your batteries. In an article in Newsday's Wellness Magazine, clinical psychologist Dr. Frances Cohen Praver says it's imperative for people to take care of themselves first: "Care of self is the first order of business. A spa treatment could pamper you. Once you feel more complete with yourself, you’ll have much more to give."

Step 1: Make a Party Plan

• In order to throw a great party, you've got to have a plan.

1. Decide whether you're going to hold your spa party at home or at a local spa.
2. Set a date and figure out the best time of day for your party.
3. Select the types of services you will offer.
   • The following two sections, Spa Party at Home an Spa Party at a Local Day Spa, will review the treatments, party favors and costs you should consider as you plan your spa party.

Spa Party at Home

• There are a couple of options for your at-home spa soiree. You could host a do-it-yourself party with homemade treatments that you and your guests perform on each other, or you could hire professionals to come to your house and service your guests.

• For either type of party, figure out what kind of services or treatments you're going to offer. Some ideas include:

1. Manicures/Pedicures
2. Body Scrubs
3. Facials
4. Massage
5. Hot Tub Soak

Spa Gear

• It helps to have the following items on-hand so guests feel like their being pampered at a real spa.

1. Robes
   • If you don't have the means to provide your guests with a robe, have everyone bring their own.
2. Foot Soakers/Tubs
3. Washcloths
4. Hair Bands
5. Face and Body Scrubbers
6. Loofahs
7. Cotton Balls
8. Massage Oil
9. Body Lotion
10. Plenty of Towels

• Most of these items can be found at your local drugstore, like CVS or Walgreens, or at specialty stores like Aveda, Lather and Sephora.

Spa Recipes

• Here are a few simple recipes for spa treatments you can make yourself:

• Rosemary Steam Bath
• Steams are great for opening pores and getting your skin ready for masks and other treatments. You can read about dozens of herbal combinations for steam baths at TipNut.com.

1. Boil a pot of water.
2. Add sprigs of fresh rosemary and lavender.
   • You can find these herbs at most local grocery stores in the produce section.
3. Let the water continue to boil for a few minutes so the herbs steep.
4. Pull hair back.
5. Turn off the boiling water, but make sure steam is still rising from it.
6. Lean over the pot (but not too close) with a hand towel over the back of your head, forming a tent.
7. Let the steam permeate your skin.

• Brown Sugar Scrub
• Scrubs are good for exfoliating your skin and leaving it soft and supple. You can use this scrub on your whole body, but don’t use it if your skin is really broken out – it could irritate your blemishes. You can find an alternative version of this scrub at MarigoldLane.com.

1. Mix one cup brown sugar with 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil or coconut oil.
2. Gently rub a small amount into skin, working it in slowly.
3. Gently rinse off with warm water.

• Rose Petal Foot Soak
• This is really easy, especially if you have rose bushes.

1. Fill a bucket or foot soaker with warm or hot water.
2. Add rose petals.
3. Rest your feet in the water and relax.

• Yogurt and Avocado Face Mask
• Try this mask from MarthaStewart.com:

1. For one face mask, mash a quarter of an avocado in a bowl, then stir in one tablespoon of yogurt.
2. Spread the mixture all over the face with a sponge, avoiding eyes.
3. Wash off mask after 15 minutes.

• You can find all kinds of DIY recipes using ingredients you probably already have in your fridge or pantry at SpaIndex.com or Health.com.

Spa Party Favors

• Be sure to send your guests home with a memento of their relaxing getaway. You could either make these items, or buy them from a local or online spa, drugstore or toiletry shop.

1. Eye Pillows
2. Bath Salts
3. Soap
4. Bath Bombs
5. Lotion

• Or fill a basket with all these items for a super luxurious parting gift!

Spa Party in a Box

• If you're not a DIY'er—or just don't have the time to make all these potions—you can purchase a spa party kit. Most packages come with everything you need—including scrubs, lotions, candles and instructions.

• You can purchase spa parties in a box from the following retailers:

• Sunday Colors
• Springdale Collection
• Jaqua Beauty
• Foot Candy

Call in the Pros

• Another option is to hire a local facialist, massage therapist and/or manicurist/pedicurist to give your guests professional treatments. Or you could bring in event planners who specialize in spa parties and will take care of every last detail, from food to drinks to services.

• Sparty offers a variety of theme options complete with specialty cocktails. A couple other companies that will organize your party for you are Spa Girl Parties and Sparties. All three have locations across the US.

Spa Party at a Local Day Spa

• Most day spas offer party packages that can include favors, treatments and even refreshments. To find a spa in your area, check out SpaIndex.com or SpaFinder.com. Be sure to get a list of treatments from the spa so you can offer them to your guests on the invitation.

Cost

• According to Essence Magazine prices for spa parties average about $125-$150 per person, depending on where the party is held and what kind of services are offered. One way to keep costs down is to limit the number of services offered or ask the therapist if he/she offers group discounts.

Who Pays for What

• If you’re hosting the party at home, chances are you’ll be footing the bill. But you can asks guests to help out by bringing a dish, beverage or beauty product.

• If you’re hosting at a local spa, determine with other guests how cost will be covered. Perhaps each person will pay for their own service and a portion of the guest of honor’s service. Or a few friends can go in on the entire cost of the treatments. Find out if the spa charges extra fees for spa parties. If so, you may save some money by hosting at home.

Step 2: Send Invitations

• Keep it small. Spa parties are supposed to be relaxing. A crowd that’s too big can take away from the calming atmosphere. It's best to keep your guest list under 10 people.

• Limit your party to close friends only or to people who you know will get along well. A spa environment can tend to be a somewhat vulnerable space especially if the party is at a clothing-optional, or semi-nude location.

What to Include in the Invitation

• Depending on how formal you want your party to be, you can either send handwritten, email, or Evite invitations. Diva Girl Parties and Stuff has an invitation you can print out. And Evite has several spa party invites to choose from.

• However you let people know about your party be sure your invitations include the following information:

1. Date
2. Time
3. Location
4. Services to be offered
5. Dress Code (like dressing comfortably and/or bringing a robe and slippers or a bathing suit)
6. RSVP Info

When to Send Invitations

• Send your invites a month to three weeks before your event so people have plenty of time to respond and you have plenty of time to schedule services. Be sure to get RSVPs from guests about what kind of services they want, and send a reminder about two weeks before the party.

Step 3: Schedule Treatments

• If you're having your party at a local spa, reserve treatments as soon as possible.

• If you're having services at your house, create a schedule and have guests sign up for specific times, so you know exactly who is getting a treatment when. Give the schedule to your manicurist or massage therapist so everyone is on the same page.

• If you're having a DIY spa party, set up time limits at each station and schedule two people per station, each taking a turn giving and then receiving services.

Step 4: Create Ambiance

• If you're having your spa party at home it's important to make your house feel like a spa.

Setting the Mood

• Create a restful atmosphere for your guests by decorating with fresh flowers and scented candles (though don't go overboard—scents that are too strong can often cause headaches, which isn't very relaxing at all). Add texture in soothing earth tones by bringing in pillows, tablecloths, and blankets to evoke a spa-like feel.

• For design ideas, check out your favorite hotel spa and mimic their decorating scheme or consult home decor magazines like Domino and Sunset. DIYNetwork also has fabulous ideas for tabletops and outdoor decor.

Spa Stations

• Set up each service at a different station. Keep in mind that some stations should be in a different location, away from the rest of the party. Perhaps massage will take place in a private bedroom where other services will be offered in a more communal location.

Mellow Music

• The right tunes can really help relax your guests. Classical is always a good choice, but so is some ethnic and world music. Stores like Target sell mood, yoga, and spa compilation CDs. Don't choose anything too loud, and make sure the volume is kept at a nice soft level.

Step 5: Prepare a Spa Menu

• Your guests will likely be hungry, but this isn't the kind of party where you want people to pig out on indulgent snacks. Keep options light and healthy and portions small.

Spa Menu Recipes

• Check out these sites for tons more inspiring recipes and menu ideas for your spa party:

• Food & Wine Spa Recipes
• Epicurious Spa Menus
• Spa Magazine
• Love to Know Spa Party Food

Beverages

1. Water with cucumber or lemon
2. Non-caffeinated hot or iced tea
3. Fresh juices

Step 6: A Few Days Before Your Party

• This is the time to take care of all your shopping and get your house ready for your spa party.

1. Buy decorations, necessary items for spa treatments and food two days ahead of time.
2. Clean and decorate your house.
3. Confirm with treatment providers.
4. Prepare homemade spa treatments that can be made ahead of time, like scrubs and lotions.
5. Put together your party favors.

Step 7: Day of Your Party

• Before your guests arrive, take care of the following:

1. Prepare any last minute menu items.
2. Set out food and beverages.
3. Arrange any last minute decorations, like flowers and lighting candles.
4. Turn on music so it's playing when guests arrive. (Hopefully, it will help relax you, too!)
5. Send kids and/or husbands away for the day.
6. Have service providers come a half hour early so they’re there when guests arrive.

Step 8: At Your Party

• Whew! Now it's time to relax.

1. Greet guests with robes, or if they’ve brought their own have them change. Be sure you have yours on!
2. Offer guests water, tea, or juice when they arrive.
3. Make sure to keep music going at all times.
4. Serve food after treatments.
5. Make sure guests go home with a party favor.
6. Enjoy yourself!

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Resources for How to Throw a Spa Party

• SpaFinder
• Food & Wine: Spa Recipes
• Epicurious: Epicurious
• Spa Magazine: Spa Recipes
• Love to Know: Spa Party Food
• About.com: Pampering at the Spa  
• Essence: Girls' Night In
• Good Housekeeping: Stress Buster of the Week  
• Decan Hearld: Have a Spa Treatment at Home (January 12, 2008)
• Southern Living: Creating Spa Sensations
• Los Angeles Times: The Spa Treatment (March 6, 2005)
• Newsday Wellness Magazine: Be Your Own Valentine
• Wisegeek: What Are Some Relaxing Yoga Poses
• MarthaStewart.com: Skin Firming Mask (March 2005)
• Health: At-Home Spa Recipes
• Spa Living for Health: Homemade Spa Recipes to Delight Your Senses
• SpaIndex: Host a Spa Party!
• SaveOnCrafts: How to Make Lavender Eye Pillows
• DIY Network: Spa Party Favors, Bath Salt Recipe
• Soap Teacher: Melt and Pour Glycerin Recipes
• Not Martha: To Make Bath Bombs
• My Beauty Recipes: Homemade Lotion Recipes
• Diva Girl Parties and Stuff: Home Spa Party
• DIY Network: Spa Party Tabletop Fountain Centerpiece

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