Of course their patronage is gift enough, but it’s still nice when clients acknowledge us with a little something extra around the holidays. Then there are those clients who go above and beyond in the gratuity department. We asked nail techs: What’s the best holiday gift you ever received from a client?

 

When I left my clients back in Florida to move to Hawaii, a dear client came in and handed me a gift bag. She said, “They aren’t new. They belonged to me but I want you to have them and think of me every time you wear them. I’m going to miss you.” I opened the bag to find a beautiful strand of cultured pearls. I’ve never owned a piece of jewelry so pretty and it means so much. We are more than just nail techs — to some clients, we are family. 

Melissa Wood
Kailua-Kona, Hawaii

 

One of my longtime clients knitted me an afghan that is big enough for a kingsized bed. I was overwhelmed that she did such a personal thing for me. I asked how she knew I wanted one to match our Harley Davidson-themed home. She told me that about six months before, we were talking about it during her appointment and she decided to start working on it that day! For her to take all that time to do something like that for me was amazing.

Pamela Bartos Kasper
Classic Look, Monroeville, Pa.


I love making popcorn balls for the holidays so my client sent me this full size popcorn machine with a case of everything I needed — popcorn, oil, and boxes. I use it every year.

Margaret Thomas
It’s A Secret Salon, Culver City, Calif.

 

A very dear client had just passed away from a long fight with cancer just before the holidays. Her daughter (also a client) came for her last appointment before Christmas and handed me a beautiful box — a gift, she said, from her mother to me. Inside was a perfect pair of gold earrings. Ones I had always complimented her mom on. She shared that her mother had asked for them to be given to me as my present that year. I love them and still cherish them.

Michelle Davignon
West Haven, Conn.

 

My client loves to get extravagant nail art. She believed in me when others wouldn’t give me the time of day. She saw something in me and offered to pay for art school and everything with it. I love you Peggy Vasquez.

Robert Nguyen
San Diego, Calif.

 

Five 100 bills! 

Lisa Ann Bowles
New Nail Creations, Clovis, Calif.

 

A client brought a little stocking full of candy, books, hair accessories, and small toys for my 2-year-old daughter. And she still loves those books and toys a year later!

Rachel Hofius
Diamond Hair Designs, Rosamond, Calif.

 

I always receive awesome gift certifi cates. One very special client gave a weekend getaway for me and my husband at a wonderful resort. It was the most generous thing ever.

Gina Malson
The Nail Buff , Fond du Lac, Wis.

 

A client of mine who had only been coming to me for a year made me a blanket and gave me $100 to go shopping.

Rebecca Kouvas
Pink’s Nail Studio, Kingsport, Tenn.

 

There are many things clients have given me that have been wonderful and very generous; money of course, but I’ve received Coach purses, key chains, and scarves. The gifts that have been the most meaningful, though, have been wedding gifts and gifts for my baby due in a few months. Nothing is more valuable than a baby blanket and hat specially knitted by a loving loyal client.

Tracy Balistreri
Nails By Tracy, Milwaukee, Wis.



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