Spa Party of the Month: Sole-ful New Year

For the last Spa Party of the Month Theme of 2009, I thought it appropriate to share tips on hosting a spa party that'll help you kick off 2010 right. This unisex New Year's Day party is perfect for a day of relaxation and reflection with family, friends, and even a little football.


Many use the New Year as an opportunity to renew their purpose, reflect on areas for growth, and resolve to be better in the upcoming 12 months. Help your guests to Kick the New Year off right, by offering foot massages, to rejuvenate them and begin the year in health.

Why Foot Massage?

Well other than the fact that it allows me to use phrases like "Kick the New Year Off" or "Put Your Best Foot Forward", foot massage works well for a New Years Day Gathering for several reasons.

• It is a treatment that both men and women enjoy
• It is a treatment that doesn't require the removal of a great deal of clothing making it perfect for a mixed gathering
• It is not very time consuming, making it perfect for an informal party setting
• It's focus is on health and wellbeing rather than beauty, which ties in well with many of the most popular New Year's resolutions
• If your guests were up all night dancing and celebrating they'll surely appreciate it.

Kicking It Up A Knotch
 add one or more of these modalities to a basic foot massage for a truly special experience...

Aromatherapy: is based on the knowledge that scent has the power to impact one's emotional and physical health. Essential oils, which are highly concentrated plant-derived oils, are often incoporated into massage oils to provide various aromatherapeutic benefits. In a nod to another popular New Year's Day tradition, college bowl games, choose one of the citrus-laced massage blends available at The Spalibrations Shop.

CALM - Orange, lemon, lavender, bergamot and cedarwood essential oils serve to soothe and calm. *Note: not to be used during pregnancy.
ENERGIZE - Lemon, lime, tangerine and rosemary essential oils perk you up and bring a renewed energy. *Note: not to be used during pregnancy.
REFRESH - Orange, lime, geranium, bergamot and mandarin essential oils refresh, renew and uplift. *Note: not to be used during the first trimester of pregnancy.

Reflexology: is based on the theory that there are "reflex" areas on the feet that correspond to other parts of the body including organs and glands. "Practitioners believe that applying pressure to these reflex areas can promote health in the corresponding organs through energetic pathways.... A scientific explanation is that the pressure may send signals that balance the nervous system or release chemicals such as endorphins that reduce pain and stress. " (About.com)  Thai Foot Massage is also based on the priciples of reflexology, but can include additional elements such as a relaxing foot bath and the use of a wooden stick to apply pressure. Just one look at these videos on YouTube, and I'm sure you'll be clamoring for a Thai foot massage too. Thai massage with out stick, & with Stick.


Hot Stones: tell the troubles of '09 to "Kick Rocks"...sorry I just couldn't resist. However, the use of heated stones incorporated will be equally as irresistable, especially on a cold January day.

Toe Reading: while not directly associated with foot massage, you may find some reflexologists that also offer this service. Toe reading, is unlike physic readings in that it does not claim to make predictions, but rather to use the positions of ones toes to interpret what has been going on in one's life. Toe readers, seem to be concentrated in certain areas of the country, but if you can find one to come out to your event, it may be a fun and unique experience to offer guests. A Tidbit on Toe Reading from The Arizona Spa Girls.

Make It Special

Often when we entertain at our homes, we take our guests coats and throw them in a bedroom. Make the moment that guests enter your home truly special by taking it one step further and setting up a welcome station, as suggested by the party pros over at Partybluprints.com. You can ask guests to bring slippers, or have slippers/comfy socks provided, as they slip out of their coats and shoes offer them a glass of sparkling cider, or if it is an especially cold day a mug of tea.

Note: As mentioned earlier, New Year's Day is a time when many guys and gals enjoy watching college bowl games. If you really want the men in your family to participate it is a good idea to have an area separate from the treatment space where they can "kick back" and watch football. When you tell them they get football, food, and foot massages I'm sure you'll get no complaints from that corner.

In the next installment of this month's spa party theme I'll provide menu suggestions for a Soul Food spread that puts a twist on traditional New Year's foods like black-eyed peas.

Your Resident Spashionista!