Maybe the best Christmas present I’ve ever received was a gift certificate for a very lovely spa in my hometown of Boston. An ex-boyfriend gave me the gift certificate many years ago, and I didn’t use it till nearly two years after – having never been to a spa, I had some weird fear about the whole endeavor (and it’s quite possible that I was secretly scared of walking out looking something like Samantha on the Sex and the City episode where she gets a chemical peel). But my first facial turned out to be a heavenly experience, one that’s at least partly responsible for my having turned into a spa junkie who now considers the occasional spa visit essential for living healthfully and happily. I do believe that taking time out to sink deep into blissed-out relaxation can truly carry over into “real life” and help you learn how to calm down and keep those evil stress hormones in check. Plus, it makes you prettier, and you get to do nothing but drink cucumber-infused water and be masterfully pampered for at least a few hours. And of course that can only do good for the soul.

To give the gift of spa this holiday season, you may want to start out by checking SpaFinder.com, which Sharon Brown says is “easy to search and plan the next great getaway.” Or just do a quick search for “spa” on ThisNext and uncover our seasoned spa-goers’ most beloved getaways. For yours truly, that’s either Sycamore Mineral Springs in San Luis Obispo, California, or Devil’s Thumb Ranch in Tabernash, Colorado, each of which I’ve had the exquisite pleasure of visiting for several days at a time (and both were so amazingly gorgeous that I still get so giddy remembering my time there).

For thedelicious, ultimate bliss can be found at – where else? – any of the Bliss Spa’s located in New York, L.A., Dallas, Boston, Chicago, and London. “We are all so stressed out in this world and a 75 minute massage to chill out and relax is great for everyone,” agrees Jacqueline Tucker in her shopcast for Bliss Spa’s massage treatments.

New Yorkers needing that chill-out time might do well to melt their troubles away at Spadium, which Karen Bass regards as the “best Korean Spa in NYC to de-stress.” And if anyone on your holiday list is heading out to Sin City sometime soon, consider gifting her with some time at Canyon Ranch SpaClub in Las Vegas. The favorite spa for John and Rose, this 69,000 square foot facility “features a health and wellness center, massage, skin care and body treatment rooms; gyms and weight rooms; therapeutic pools; and the great centerpiece - a three-story rock-climbing wall.”

But sunny California may be where it’s at for serious spa adventure. Alyson offers these “three reasons why going to Olympic Spa LA is probably as good as going to heaven”:

“1-They wash your hair and you don’t have to talk to anyone. I love my hair dresser madly but spacing out in a cloud of bubbles is better than having to carry on a conversation.

2-They use Fresh products and have a shelf of samples you can use on your way out. My sense is Fresh doesn’t distribute past the pearly gates yet and I doubt they’ve come up with something better up there.

3-They have a nap floor. Heaven’s relaxing and all, but I don’t know that they have organized napping.”

And Picky-Chick recommends both Kinara Spa in West Hollywood and Ojai Valley Inn & Spa Resort. “Kinara is an un-intimidating beautiful space with friendly staff that doesn’t shove product down your cucumber watered throat,” says Picky-Chick. “If you’re looking for the ‘hang out in the jacuzzi’ type of experience then this is not for you. While it’s relaxing and serene, Kinara is all about getting the job done. You will walk away feeling rejuvenated and youthful without having to turn in a locker key and flip-flops.” And Ojai, she says, just might be “one of the most beautiful and relaxing resorts in Southern California.” Picky-Chick adds:

“It’s perfect for a romantic weekend with your beau or spa time with your girlfriends. The laid back atmosphere and quiet guests (yes, quiet!) allow you to head home feeling nothing more than relaxed and rejuvenated!”