This year, consider skipping the next generation of tech gear and give a truer piece of yourself

by frank Bennett

It’s no wonder that given the range of choices we
have as far as sharing holiday cheer is concerned—and
particularly given the onslaught of technology that
seems to determine so much of giftgiving—people are
turning back the hands of time to a simpler age when
right now and everything were the province of the super
wealthy only, or at least just the super-vain. Because the
finest gifts, after all, simply need to be heartfelt, tailored
to actual needs and desires, and ideally, memorable.
This won’t necessarily narrow your choices substantially,
but it should make imagining them more pleasurable.
What about a special trip that your special someone
has been wanting but either can’t afford or hasn’t
had time to flesh out? A one-day racing course? A ride
in a fighter jet? A week of cooking lessons?
On a somewhat lesser financial scale, what about a
shorter trip (of sorts)—a day at the spa alone or with
someone else, or perhaps even a spa gift to a small
group of loved ones or business associates?
In a day and age of living our lives for and through just
about anyone but ourselves—and as often as not through a
social media prism—people have a real and actually quite
concerning deficit of simple touch. The lack of physical
interaction seems to be particularly acute among men,
owing to anxiety surrounding any sort of platonic touch
being misinterpreted as either an unwanted advance or an
admission of vulnerability…or both.

I can personally vouch for this, as we have seen a
recent uptick in spa day gift cards the likes of which we
have never seen before. The reasons why treatments and
particularly massages are gaining popularity are numerous,
but include the fact that simple touch will almost
instantly reduce anxiety, blood pressure, improve one’s
general outlook, and provide a brand of sensory input
that no amount of texting can begin to approximate.
Whatever gift you choose, just be certain it comes
from an abundance of love, concern, and understanding.
Have a Blessed Holiday.

A.F. Bennett Salon & Wellness Spa 350 New Dorp Lane / 718.979.9000 / afbennett.com