Gift ideas for him: massage and wellness at the spa
When you look for gifts for him, you quickly run into the same list: watches, perfume, gadgets, a whisky set. Many of them end up in a drawer. A massage works differently, because it is something most men never buy for themselves, even though it would do them good. Below you will find gift ideas for him chosen by how he spends his days: whether he plays sport, sits at a desk or has never had a massage before. At the end you will see how the voucher works and how to give it so he actually uses it.
Why a massage is a good gift for him
Many men put off anything that looks like taking care of their own body until something starts to hurt. A tight back after a week behind the wheel or shoulders hunched after hours at the laptop become normal, something they just live with. A massage voucher solves exactly the part where they usually get stuck: the decision. He no longer has to look for a salon, compare options and book something that feels like a luxury to him. He gets an hour that is already paid for, with his name on it.
There is another, less obvious reason. An object shows him you thought of him once, on the day you bought it. An experience stays with him as a specific afternoon when he felt good, and it often turns into a habit. If you want to know what his body actually gains from a massage, we wrote separately about the benefits of massage for men. Here we focus on the gift itself.
Gifts for him if he plays sport or works physically
For someone who runs, goes to the gym, plays football with friends or spends long hours on his feet at work, the right choice is a massage that works on the muscles. Thai massage is the first one to consider: it is done fully clothed, on a mat, and the therapist stretches his legs, back and shoulders in turn, a bit like a very patient stretching partner. He will feel it most in the hips and the back of the thighs, the areas that tighten the most after running or a full day on his feet.
If he prefers something with oil and firm pressure, bamboo stick massage is a good option: the sticks allow steady pressure on the large muscles of the back and legs without becoming painful. For muscles that are truly overloaded, with knots he has felt for months, deep tissue massage is the right fit, as it works slowly and in depth. One thing to keep in mind: if he has a recent injury or a diagnosed condition, he should talk to his doctor first and tell the therapist at the start of the session.
Gifts for him if he sits at a desk all day
A man who works at a computer usually has the same three problems: a stiff neck, shoulders creeping up towards his ears without him noticing, and a back that gives up around four in the afternoon. For him, shiatsu is a very fitting gift idea. It is done without oil, over thin clothing, with pressure on points along the back, shoulders and neck. It is a precise massage, and many men prefer it precisely because they can clearly feel where and on what the therapist is working.
Another, less known option is reflexology. The work is done on the soles of the feet, so he does not need to undress, and the feeling afterwards is one of light legs and a settled body, useful after days spent more in a chair than on his feet. If you want to give him as much time to switch off as possible, choose 90 minutes instead of 60. The first half hour is often the time when his mind is still at the next day’s meeting.
What to choose if he has never had a massage
Many men say they do not like massage, but in fact they have never tried one done properly. What keeps them away is usually the unknown: he does not know how much to undress, what to say, and he does not want to look awkward. For a first time, choose a massage that does not put him in that kind of situation. Thai massage and shiatsu are done clothed, and reflexology only on the feet, so they are very easy ways in.
If you still want an oil massage, the 60-minute relaxation massage is the safe choice: slow rhythm, medium pressure, nothing surprising. At Bali Temple, all massages are done by therapists from Bali, who explain at the start how the session goes and ask him which areas bother him and what pressure he prefers. You can tell him beforehand that he can ask for lighter or firmer pressure at any time, and that there is no right way to lie on the table. Often that is all he needs to arrive relaxed.
A gift for a boyfriend, husband or father: choosing by who he is
The same voucher says different things depending on who receives it. For a boyfriend, especially early in a relationship, a massage is a personal gift without being awkward. For a husband, the practical side matters more: you know him, you know where it hurts and what tires him, so you can choose the technique with real knowledge, not by how its name sounds.
For a father, the gift often works as a kind of permission. Many parents would never spend their own money on a massage, but they will use one if it comes from their children. Choose something with moderate pressure, a relaxation or ayurveda massage, with warm oil and slow movements, especially if he does not play sport. For a brother, a friend or a colleague, any 60-minute massage that needs no long explanation will do. If you are also looking for a gift for a woman in the family, we have a list of gift ideas for her.
Which occasions a voucher for him suits
His birthday and Christmas are the obvious occasions, and in December the voucher has a practical advantage: you do not have to guess sizes and you do not risk him getting the same thing from two people. It works just as well for an anniversary or for Valentine’s Day, as an alternative to the usual dinner.
The best gifts, though, are the ones tied to something he went through. After a half marathon or his first race. After finishing a project that kept him up night after night. After a house move, when he carried boxes for a whole week. After his final exams. A voucher given then says “I saw how hard you worked”, and that weighs more than a “happy birthday” said out of habit.
How the voucher works and what he receives
You choose the technique and the length, for example from the Asian massage vouchers, fill in his name and, if you like, a personal message of up to 150 characters that is printed on the voucher. After you order, the voucher arrives at your email address as a PDF. You can print it and put it in an envelope, or send it straight to his phone.
He receives a voucher in his name, for a specific session, and books it himself, on the day and at the time that suit him. The voucher is valid for six months from purchase, and the salon is open daily from 12:00 to 22:00, in Sector 1, next to Promenada Mall, with its own parking in the courtyard, so he can easily find a slot after work. If you are still not sure which technique to choose, our guide on how to choose a massage gift voucher will help you decide.
How to give him the voucher so he actually uses it
The hardest part of a gift like this for him is not the choice but the use. Many men put the voucher aside “for when I have time” and remember it five months later. A few small things change that. Tell him exactly what he got and why you chose it. “It is Thai massage, you stay dressed and it will loosen your back after your runs” is far more convincing than “I got you a massage”.
If you know him well, suggest a day too. You can tell him you checked and he is free on Saturday afternoon, or you can make the booking together right then. Another approach that works is to tie the voucher to a plan: a massage, then dinner or a walk through town, so the session becomes the start of a good afternoon rather than one more item in his calendar. And if you know he is the type who puts things off, give him a gentle reminder after a month.
Frequently asked questions
The massages are done by female therapists. Does that matter for a man? For most men, no. At Bali Temple, massages are done by therapists from Bali, and the session is professional from start to finish. If you know he would still feel uneasy, choose Thai massage or shiatsu, which are done clothed, or reflexology, which is done only on the feet.
What do I choose if I do not know which massage he would like? A 60-minute relaxation massage or Thai massage are the safest choices for a man whose preferences you do not know well. The first is gentle and predictable, the second is active and done clothed. Ask yourself whether you picture him lying still or moving, and you have your answer.
For him, 60 or 90 minutes? 60 minutes is enough for a first time or for someone who just wants to relax. 90 minutes is worth it for someone with a very tight back or who plays sport often, because the therapist has time to work on each area without rushing. If you are not sure, choose 60: if he likes it, next time he will ask for more himself.
Price and booking
At Bali Temple, gifts for him are available as vouchers for 60- and 90-minute sessions, for spa packages and for subscriptions. See the latest details and prices and book directly on the gift vouchers page, or explore all the Asian massage options in the Asian massage vouchers section.
