I may be breaking ettiquette rules by asking this here, but you guys are my other family and I'm really wondering what to do, and always get good input here. the girls may be able to help more than the men.
Each Christmas I pick at least one service provider that see often to give an extra nice gift to. It can be anyone. Last year was the garbage men and my doctor who helped me with addiction. These were all people who had gone above and beyond their job duties for me, and because they had done a couple of extra nice things for me.
I have had the same hair stylist for 2 years. She is awesome, very talented and takes very good care of me. Last year, I somehow forgot to buy her a gift, so I gave her an extra big tip.
This year she has gone so far beyond normal good service. I could name at least a dozen things. I have missed a couple of appointments (not for hair, just wax) and have been late several times. Also, one time the receptionist wrote me in on the wrong day and I missed a 4 hour appointment for various services. I had my appointment card to prove it, but was willing to wait for another appointment. She is always booked for months and I was due to leave town in 2 days. The owner offered have her do a quick touch up on my hair before leaving town. Instead, she insisted on staying very late to complete all of my services. She worked from 9 AM til 10 PM that day in order to do this for me.
Anyway.....This year I wanted to buy her a nice gift and I did. It cost roughly the same price as two 2.5 hour long hair appointments. Since the place isn't cheap, this is a nice gift and I'm excited to give it to her. I also must add that she has an assistant and I missed an 1.5 hour long appointment with this assistant only 1 1/2 weeks ago. I totally forgot and didn't call. It was for a service I don't often get. I feel bad, so I bought her assistant a nice gift too, although not nearly as nice as the stylist's gift. Most people would probably think the gifts are a bit more.....I dont know... extravagant??... than normal. But, I'm a pain sometimes and they both deserve it, plus I do this for someone every year.
So, my appointment is for tomorrow and now I'm nervous about how to give them the gifts. I think I would be embarrassed if they opened them while I was there, in front of everyone. Should I drop them off today? If so, they might open them and show everyone and I'm going in tomorrow. Should I tell them to put the gifts under their trees and open on Christmas? Or am I way overthinking and just need to take the gifts in when I have my appointment and let them do whatever they want? What would be proper? I didn't buy for anyone else there because I rarely ever see anyone else.
I'm not sure why I feel this way. I have planned to buy these exact gifts for awhile now. What should I do, and why is this making me so anxious?
Oh, and I know we have a few stylists on the board. Do you normally open gifts in front of the gift giver? Would it seem weird to get a somewhat pricey gift from a client? She knows that I know that I can be a pain, especially with my chronic tardiness. The gifts are a handbag for the stylist and a wristlet for the assistant.
Thanks for any replies.
First of all, wish more of my clients were like you!
Give her the gifts, ask her to give the assistant hers and then ask her to open them on Christmas. She'll probably open them the minute you leave but at least if this makes you uncomfortable you won't see it. If you want to see her open it and I suspect you do because you are so excited about it, then ask her to open it while you are processing. By then, you're more comfortable and aren't wasting her valuable time. My clients brought stuff in when they found out I was having surgery and wouldn't be around Christmas week, it was so nice of them but a little embarressing because there was so much, but this is different for you....
You're such a little sweetheart Atlas.
Give her the gifts, ask her to give the assistant hers and then ask her to open them on Christmas. She'll probably open them the minute you leave but at least if this makes you uncomfortable you won't see it. If you want to see her open it and I suspect you do because you are so excited about it, then ask her to open it while you are processing. By then, you're more comfortable and aren't wasting her valuable time. My clients brought stuff in when they found out I was having surgery and wouldn't be around Christmas week, it was so nice of them but a little embarressing because there was so much, but this is different for you....
You're such a little sweetheart Atlas.
I always give them the gift after the appt is finished, I hand them the gift and say Merry Christmas and leave.
You are overthinking. Hand the gift to them, and say ' thank you' and let her/them decide when to open it.
i would put them in a nice bag and when your all done with your appt, say this is for you and your asst..........thank you for being so kind to me this year.
i appreciate you both..........
hand her the bag, give her a hug and say merry christmas and walk out to your car.
I LOVE YOU ATLAS>>>>>>>>>>>>
your a doll.
so so sweet.
thumoer
i appreciate you both..........
hand her the bag, give her a hug and say merry christmas and walk out to your car.
I LOVE YOU ATLAS>>>>>>>>>>>>
your a doll.
so so sweet.
thumoer
Atlas...you are a sweety!! Anyway...they will adore their gifts no matter how you give them to them! Very thoughtful...so don't worry just do it!!!
I just wanted to ask if you are an Aquarius?? You sound so much like my hubby..lol...with the over thinking things!! Thats a compliment...he is a very thoughtful nice person and everyone who meets him loves him immediately....except me!!
But he has a tendency to overanalyze..I thought it was the "engineer" thing..but maybe its an astronomical sign..lol.
Hope you are having fun getting ready for these crazy holidays...I am pooped!
I just wanted to ask if you are an Aquarius?? You sound so much like my hubby..lol...with the over thinking things!! Thats a compliment...he is a very thoughtful nice person and everyone who meets him loves him immediately....except me!!
But he has a tendency to overanalyze..I thought it was the "engineer" thing..but maybe its an astronomical sign..lol.
Hope you are having fun getting ready for these crazy holidays...I am pooped!
I don't think that is out of "etiquette guidelines" to give only them gifts. I think that is sweet!
Oh, I went to Ala Moana yesterday on Oahu. Kee kee, if you ever need to shop, that is the place. They have absolutely every store you could ever think of there....and it is only a flight away!!
Oh, I went to Ala Moana yesterday on Oahu. Kee kee, if you ever need to shop, that is the place. They have absolutely every store you could ever think of there....and it is only a flight away!!
hi atlas
you know i am a hair stylist so i am gonna give you some advice....
i know EXACTLY HOW YOU ARE FEELING, i always have this anxiety about a person opening a gift i give them in front of me too.
your gifts that you have selected are PERFECT! and i am sure they will be well appreciated, since your appt is tomorrow, do exactly what thumper suggested. try to act like it is a normal every day appt, sit in the chair , get your hair done and when it is time to pay offer the gifts, give great hugs or a kiss on the cheek and tell her how much you appreciate her as your stlyist and assistant. then say merry Christmas and leave. that way you have spared yourself the anxiety of what should i say, should she open it now etc.
i have observed lately what the girls in the salon are doing with their gifts, one stylist has her station filled with packages and pretty gift bags from her clients that are not opened, she just puts them on her station and continues to finish working her busy day. the other stylist i noticed put the gift on her station and acted like she was going to open it later and then she asked the client do you want me to open it now and the client said yes, cuz she wanted her little son to see his stylist open the gift that was from him. i hope this helps you honey and you have a wonderful experience in the salon getting pampered cuz you deserve it, your stylist will understand the point you are trying to get across to her that you appreciate everything she has done for you.
question? cow girl are you a hair stylist too? jewels k-9
you know i am a hair stylist so i am gonna give you some advice....
i know EXACTLY HOW YOU ARE FEELING, i always have this anxiety about a person opening a gift i give them in front of me too.
your gifts that you have selected are PERFECT! and i am sure they will be well appreciated, since your appt is tomorrow, do exactly what thumper suggested. try to act like it is a normal every day appt, sit in the chair , get your hair done and when it is time to pay offer the gifts, give great hugs or a kiss on the cheek and tell her how much you appreciate her as your stlyist and assistant. then say merry Christmas and leave. that way you have spared yourself the anxiety of what should i say, should she open it now etc.
i have observed lately what the girls in the salon are doing with their gifts, one stylist has her station filled with packages and pretty gift bags from her clients that are not opened, she just puts them on her station and continues to finish working her busy day. the other stylist i noticed put the gift on her station and acted like she was going to open it later and then she asked the client do you want me to open it now and the client said yes, cuz she wanted her little son to see his stylist open the gift that was from him. i hope this helps you honey and you have a wonderful experience in the salon getting pampered cuz you deserve it, your stylist will understand the point you are trying to get across to her that you appreciate everything she has done for you.
question? cow girl are you a hair stylist too? jewels k-9
I still cant get over the fact that your hair stylist waxes your car too, now THATS awesome...
LMAO...Tom, that was funny.....
Atlas,
I totally understand what you are going through. The saying "its better to give than to receive" is so very true when we want to thank someone or show them how much we care through a gift. Making them feel happy or appreciated makes us feel happy too. I would suggest that at the end of your appointment, you hand them each their gift, tell them thank you for their service all year and to have a happy holiday (whatever they celebrate). IF you truly dont want them to open it in front of you, simply add please open at home. IF you dont mind either way, just leave it up to them as to when they open it. It will go much easier than you think! :) Enjoy your visit.
I totally understand what you are going through. The saying "its better to give than to receive" is so very true when we want to thank someone or show them how much we care through a gift. Making them feel happy or appreciated makes us feel happy too. I would suggest that at the end of your appointment, you hand them each their gift, tell them thank you for their service all year and to have a happy holiday (whatever they celebrate). IF you truly dont want them to open it in front of you, simply add please open at home. IF you dont mind either way, just leave it up to them as to when they open it. It will go much easier than you think! :) Enjoy your visit.
See, ,,,,this is why I love you!!! You are so sweet, generous and thoughtful.
Totally understand what you are stressing over. I would wait until everything is finished and give them to them right before you leave. That way, she won't feel like she has to do an exceptional job with your hair, although you want her to. don't want to but extra pressure on her.
I did this yesterday with the Sub. doctor's nurse. Gave her a gift when I arrived, and she bumped me up to the top of the list! Super gift! Time! I was in and out in 20 minutes,and it otherwise would have been 2 hours.
You're a doll! Talk to you later!
