I just started listening to Christmas music this morning. It’s officially Christmas in my head. Thanksgiving is just one week away. Because of this I can only start to think of Christmas presents and all the holiday shopping I’ll need to do. It’s stressful. Which brings be to some quick gift ideas for the holiday season.

I really do think that any type of beauty or spa service is a great gift for anyone. It may be something that a person may not typically splurge on (especially during this recession). However, with a certificate or gift card to get a massage, a mani/pedi, or even a regular routine haircut, the recipient is sure to be thankful and excited.

I just got a card in the mail yesterday telling me that a local spa was doing a special on a 60-minute Swedish massage for $49. That really sounds like Heaven to me right now, but I don’t think I have the time between work and school and I keep thinking that it’s a wasteful thing to spend my money on. However, if I was gifted a massage for the holidays, I’d certainly be a happy girl!

The holidays are always a stressful time, but it’s important to keep in mind the real reason for these seasons – more than gifts it’s about family and friends and just enjoying life in general. But presents are a ton of fun! I suggest gifting beauty services and when you’re done shopping, maybe go get yourself a massage, too!

-Amanda Fornecker

A beauty or spa career might be just what you need to consider as the economy continues to stay at a slower rate. People are always trying to look their best, no matter what. And although some services may be slowing down, others will always continue to be in demand.

Take hair stylists, for instance. Would you really cut your own hair? I definitely could never do such a thing. And maybe I don’t go every six weeks any more, but I continue to go and tip my hair stylist. It’s a necessary service that requires a skilled professional.

Nail technicians are also in demand, as regular manicures tend to not be as expensive in a regular salon. While I may not be able to afford it every week, I know that I cannot do as good a job as a licensed nail technician and definitely ned to call in the experts for a big event, where I like to look my best.

Makeup artists and estheticians are always necessary because they have the latest tips and tricks. If they can teach me that my oily face still needs a moisturizer, then I think it is useful to work with these professionals.

These are just some examples of beauty professionals that have influenced my life. Although services may be down, they are still certainly alive and well and will always, in my opinion, be necessary.

Not sure what spa or beauty career is for you?? Check out beauty career program descriptions, as well as spa career beauty descriptions!

-Amanda Fornecker

At SpaBeautySchools, we’re all about beauty, wellness, and education. That’s why I was delighted to hear that Identity Magazine was hosting an essay competition that supports what we stand for.

In order to “Feel Beautiful Everyday”, Identity encourages its readers to “Accept, Appreciate, and Achieve” everything they are. Through their essay competition, current female students over the age of 21 (undergrad or other) can enter for a chance to win $500 toward education expenses.

All you need to do is answer one of their questions in about 500 words. To learn more about the competition, visit Identity Magazine and enter by August 1, 2009, 11:59 p.m. EST. You must be enrolled in a program (this includes beauty school and other career schools), as the winner’s check will be made out to the school. This is a great opportunity for women in school so get going — the deadline is next week!!

-Amanda Fornecker

While many of us have heard about hypnotherapy classes given by reputable hypnotherapists to stop smoking or lose weight, were you aware that there are hypnotherapy certification programs for individuals who want to make a career out of hypnosis? Like other alternative health and wellness courses, hypnotherapy classes are typically offered from beginner to advanced. These alternative healing programs range from hypnotherapy to clinical hypnotherapy — covering a broad range of mind-spirit techniques to help individuals with a number of behavioral and emotional issues.

Common hypnotherapy classes include NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming), clinical guided imagery, inner child healing, past life regression, emotional clearing, hypno-healing, intuitive healing, Gestalt therapy, and music therapy, among other methods unique to hypnosis. Far from what many of us may have seen on comedy shows demonstrating grown adults clucking like a chicken, hypnotherapy is a real and effective form of alternative healthcare that has helped thousands of individuals overcome stress and anxiety, the battle of the bulge, quitting smoking, and other negative behaviors.

Focused studies in hypnotherapy classes involve in-depth training and practical applications of the power of suggestion, interviewing techniques, goal setting, awakening methods, stress-reduction strategies, teaching self-hypnosis, Ericksonian techniques, quantum healing, hypnotic regression methods, chronic pain relief methods, and other success-wellness techniques.