I have mixed feelings about the holidays. While I can't help but feel warm and fuzzy hearing Johnny Mathis croon about chestnuts roasting, I cringe when I see the umpteenth magazine article telling me how to craft a gorgeous holiday centerpiece out of twigs, boughs and berries that I can find in my very own backyard. And, while getting together with family is ultimately joyful, I'll confess that some elements of our get-togethers are a mite stressful!

I do know that if I can just let myself go and melt into the entire experience, the holidays embody wonderful things like friends, great food, parties and time for special spiritual celebration. So, that's what I'm envisioning for myself and for you, too.

As always, all of us at TallGrass send our best wishes and hopes that you'll have a wonderful, loving and joyful December.

P.S. If the economic forecasts trumpeted daily have concerned you, please be assured that TallGrass is a healthy, financially sound company. We are looking forward to offering you our special brand of tender, loving stress relief for years to come.

Whether for a colleague or a friend, a team member or a family member, Aveda gifts bring natural joy to everybody they touch. Sustainably sourced ingredients and certified organic essential oils, pure flower essences and plant-based aromas make the contents of these gift sets truly special.

Beautiful boxes of luxurious hair, skin and lifestyle products - like the Himalayan Glow soy wax candle ($32), the Ritual of Relief travel and regular size Hand and Foot Relief ($40) and the Grooming Traditions men's products ($42) - are embellished with paper handcrafted by men and women in Malika and Dalika in the Himalayas.

True to Aveda's tradition of giving back, the purchase of these gifts helps employ 1,282 women and men, preserve 90,000 acres of Himalayan forest and send the children of 500 families to school.

Many people have their first spa experience when they receive a gift certificate to a day spa. And, unbelievable as it sounds, some are reluctant to use their gift certificates because they are nervous about what will happen and unsure about the finer points of spa etiquette, according to Anitra Brown at AboutSpas.com

We'll bet there are some first-timers on your gift list this year. As an experienced TallGrass guest, you can ease them into the pleasures of spa-going with a gift card or certificate to TallGrass and an invitation to join you for a special "let me introduce you" spa day.

Our gift certificates and instantly printable gift cards are available in any amount and are good for services that are comfortable for novice spa-goers, like facials and manicures, along with shopping in our boutique for Aveda products, little luxuries and some really unique clothing items.