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Blog > Massages > Christmas Vouchers: Santa’s secret to surviving the festive season

Cláudia Lopes

published in 9 de Dezembro de 2025 | 6 reading time

"Christmas Vouchers: Santa’s secret to surviving the festive season"

Every year we repeat the same pattern. We race against time, organise dinners, sort out presents, try to finish everything before the year ends. In the middle of this marathon, there is one question that rarely makes it onto the priority list: where does our own well-being fit in?

At TOPSPA, we know the other side of Christmas very well. The side of those who reach the end of December exhausted, with built-up tension and the feeling that they “need a holiday from the holidays”.

And if there is a perfect time to take care of those you love with a simple and memorable gesture, it is now. That’s where Christmas vouchers come in.

Santa Claus in a red robe relaxing on a spa lounger at CitySpa, symbolising the rest provided by TOPSPA Christmas vouchers.
Even Santa needs a break at CitySpa.

Why has Christmas become the most stressful time of the year?

Christmas is still synonymous with lights, family and sharing, but the reality is that for many people it has also become a source of pressure and anxiety.

International studies show that around 63% of adults consider the festive season more stressful than tax season. Many mention difficulties in balancing work, family, finances and the expectation of “creating the perfect Christmas”.

Other research indicates that around 7 out of 10 people see the holiday period as the most financially stressful time of the year.

In the wellness sector, we see every day the impact this pressure has on body and mind:

  • Irregular sleep
  • Increased muscle tension
  • Headaches and fatigue
  • Irritability and difficulty relaxing

What should be a time for pause and connection often turns into a final sprint that leaves little room to care for the person who, in the end, is behind everything: yourself.

It is precisely for this reason that well-being-related gifts, such as Christmas vouchers for spa experiences, have gained so much ground in recent years.

A growing trend: gifts that don’t take up space but make an impact

Consumer behaviour has changed. More and more people prefer to give experiences instead of objects.

International reports show that the global experiential gift market continues to grow consistently, driven by demand for memorable moments rather than material goods.

At the same time, the market for gift cards and vouchers in Europe has seen significant growth, following this change in mindset.

In the spa world, this trend is very clear: several international operators report significant increases in voucher sales, especially during festive periods such as Christmas.

And it makes sense. A spa treatment is not something you put away in a drawer. You feel it. You live it. It stays in your memory.

  • It reduces stress
  • It boosts energy
  • It helps you sleep better
  • It creates a positive memory associated with the person who offered the gift

A Christmas voucher is not just a pretty envelope. It is an invitation to slow down and take care of yourself after a year that has, almost always, been demanding.

What exactly are TOPSPA Christmas vouchers?

When we talk about Christmas vouchers, we mean gift vouchers that can be used for spa experiences carefully designed to regenerate body and mind.

Depending on the options available in the online shop, vouchers may include:

In general, the vouchers:

  • Are easy to buy online;
  • Have extended validity (as a rule, up to 12 months, unless otherwise stated in the specific conditions of the voucher);
  • Can be used by booking in advance at the chosen spa.

In other words, it is not just a last-minute gift. It is a thoughtful present, with flexibility and space for the person to choose the ideal moment to enjoy it.

Christmas gift boxes with CitySpa vouchers on a counter, representing spa Christmas vouchers designed to offer well-being.
CitySpa Christmas vouchers, ready to be gifted.

4 reasons to choose spa vouchers as a Christmas gift

1. They offer rest in a year that calls for rest

After months of a fast pace, juggling work, home and personal responsibilities, what many people need most is simple: to stop.

A Christmas spa voucher:

  • Relieves accumulated stress
  • Helps reduce muscle tension
  • Creates a feeling of pause in the middle of everyday life

It is a gift that says “I see everything you do all year round and I want you to take care of yourself”.

2. They are truly universal gifts

One of the biggest challenges at Christmas is finding a gift that makes sense for different people. Christmas spa vouchers work for:

  • Parents with little time for themselves
  • Friends who live in permanent “multitasking mode”
  • Partners who deserve a moment together
  • Colleagues or managers, in a corporate context
  • Group gifts, when several people come together to offer something special

There’s no need to guess sizes, favourite colours or whether they already have that object at home. Well-being never feels like a duplicate.

3. They have a very high perceived value

Spa experiences are often associated with:

  • Personal care
  • Exclusivity
  • Affordable luxury

When someone receives a spa voucher, they feel they are getting more than “just a gift”. They feel the other person has invested in a quality moment designed especially for them.

On top of that, it is the kind of gift many people do not buy for themselves on a day-to-day basis, which increases the impact and the feeling of being truly pampered.

4. They boost real well-being, not just a momentary feeling

A well-designed massage or spa ritual does more than provide immediate relaxation. It offers real, tangible benefits, which may include:

  • Reduced muscle tension
  • Improved circulation
  • A sense of physical and mental lightness
  • Support for sleep and recovery after more intense periods

In other words, a Christmas voucher is not just a “treat”. It is a practical way to support the health and balance of the person who receives it.

Who are Christmas spa vouchers ideal for?

If you are wondering whether a Christmas voucher is suitable for the person you have in mind, here are some profiles it fits perfectly:

  • Professionals with packed schedules
    People who spend the year taking care of everything and everyone, but rarely themselves.
  • Parents exhausted by family logistics
    A spa moment can be the reset they were missing.
  • Couples who need time together
    A couples’ ritual is a different way of celebrating the relationship, away from phones and notifications.
  • Friends who always say “I don’t have time for myself”
    A voucher is often the gentle push they need to stop and slow down.
  • Teams and clients in a business context
    Christmas vouchers are an elegant way to say thank you for a year of work or for their trust in your company.

If Santa chose a gift for himself, it would be this

This Christmas, instead of another gift that ends up forgotten on a shelf, you can offer something that truly makes a difference in the daily life of the person who receives it: quality time, pause and well-being.

Christmas vouchers were created for exactly that. They are elegant, flexible, easy to buy online and valid for experiences that help you slow down, release tension and regain energy before starting a new year.

Perhaps Santa’s real secret to surviving the festive season is this: to stop, breathe and let someone take care of him for a few minutes.

Santa Claus in an indoor spa pool, relaxing in the water circuit at Mandalay Spa Altis Porto, illustrating the moments of well-being offered by the Christmas vouchers.
Santa Claus recharging in the water circuit at Mandalay Spa Altis Porto.

Ready to choose the most desired gift this Christmas?

If you are looking for a meaningful gift that combines care, rest and a memorable experience, Christmas vouchers are the right choice.

  • They don’t take up space
  • They adapt to different profiles
  • They have a real impact on well-being
  • They are easy to buy and to offer

Discover all the Christmas vouchers available at TOPSPA.

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Cláudia Lopes

Passionate about the wellness field from an early age, since 2016 Cláudia has directed her efforts towards promoting and sharing knowledge in this area. Her direct experience interacting with both national and international audiences in various spas, coupled with her background in Marketing and Communication, has made Cláudia our senior marketing specialist.

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