Nail techs tell us how they mark the holidays at the salon with special decorations and parties for staff and clients.

I always have a cookie exchange with any clients who wish to participate. The first 30 ladies that agree to participate are in. We all make a dozen per person of the same kind of cookie. For example, if we have 30 women, then I would make 30 dozen ginger snaps so that each woman gets a dozen. When all is said and done, you go home with 30 different kinds of baking.

Carrie Kohuch, About U Salon & Spa, Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada

 

Right after Halloween, we put out Christmas decorations beginning with a lighted garland around our outdoor sign and four lighted Christmas trees inside. We have gift packages ready to go throughout the salon and blank gift certificates in three locations so clients will not miss them. We start having coffee and treats every day. Sometimes I throw a party for my team. In the past, we’ve gone to various restaurants, or I’ve had a party at my home. Once we did a spa day in downtown Chicago, then lunch.

Mary Metscaviz, Awesome Nails, Grayslake, Ill.

 

We do decorate, but not for Christmas. We do a tropical theme to help our clients de-stress from the holiday rush. We put up palm trees, play Beach Boys CDs, and offer a Warm Tropical Pedicure to help relax our clients. We find that our clients need a break from all the hustle and bustle. Don’t get me wrong, we love the holidays, but everyone needs a break now and then.

Greta Lesh, The Nail Station, Huntington, Ind.

 

Throughout the month, I have various vendors come in and sell their merchandise — like candles, jewelry and even food — so the clients can do last-minute Christmas shopping. We decorate a Christmas tree with items to buy and put out plastic dreidels with nail polish and goodies inside them. I sometimes have the staff over with their families for a house party and a Christmas gift exchange. I have also done Secret Santa in the past.

Faith Glionna, Cuticles Salon, Indialantic, Fla.

 

As booth renters, all of us chip in to decorate and run promotions for each holiday. At Christmas, we come in on a Monday and bring along food and cocktails. We play music and decorate the entire salon — complete with a 10-foot tree. A 30-foot garland adorns the entrance archway with extra-large poinsettias at each end. Each station has a festive touch and red bows are on all the light sconces in the shop. We also have our menorah decor up for our Jewish guests. At the end of the year as a thank-you to all the booth renters, the owner treats us to a really nice evening out on the town complete with dinner and dancing!

Linda Tabella, Melanie & Company Salon Spa Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.

 

I have a Christmas tree with ornaments and we decorate the retail shelves with holiday-themed items like snowmen, trees, etc. During the entire month of December, we also give clients little gifts in holiday gift wrap. We can’t have candles so I use scented oil reeds in all the rooms to give the salon a holiday scent.

Shannon Chomanczuk, A Polished Image, New Windsor, N.Y.

 

Not only do we decorate outside, I spend eight months a year preparing with homemade holiday items. Usually these items sell out pretty quickly. As far as holiday parties, since our opening in 1986, I have always had a special Christmas party to let my employees know how much they are appreciated.

Renee Borowy, VIP Salon & Spa, Riverview, Mich.

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