So you want to plan a spa day for Mom. Whether it's for Mother's Day or her birthday or simply a way to gain the edge in the Great Sibling Wars, you can't go wrong with a spa gift. And it seems our customers would agree—massages, facials, and spa packages are among the top gifts purchased on our site.

But to really impress Mom, go one step further than just buying a pampering package. Here's how to make that spa day for Mom extra special, and maybe even promote you to the status of favorite in the family (we all know moms are in charge of that ranking).

1. Find someone to join her.

Visiting a spa by yourself is fun, but not nearly as fun as visiting a spa with a friend or loved one. You know who doesn't really care to chat about the quality of the relaxation-lounge refreshments or the humidity level of the steam room? Everyone who hears about it later. You know who does care? The person experiencing it too. That's why you should arrange for someone to keep your mom company at the spa, perhaps your dad or your mom's significant other or best friend.

If you really want to impress her, accompany her yourself. Hanging out with your mom at the spa is a great way to combine quality bonding time with relaxation. If you're interested in this route, read our tips on how to have the best mother-daughter spa day.

Find deals on couples massages near you.

2. Prepay for everything in advance.

Call or email the spa to see if you can prepay for everything in advance, including gratuity. That way, your mom can simply change back into her street clothes and waltz out.

If you have one of our deals, see if they'll take the voucher from you beforehand. Even if they won't, you should still be able to pay for the tip in advance—20% of the full price (not the discounted price) is customary. Just don't forget to tell your mom that you took care of it, so all she has to do is give the front desk her deal voucher.

Find deals on spas near you.

3. Arrange for lunch. Or chocolate-covered strawberries.

Your mom may only have one 60-minute service scheduled, but fancy amenities such as steam rooms and cozy relaxation lounges make it easy to spend several hours at a spa. If your mom plans to do this, arrange for her to enjoy a spa lunch. If lunch doesn't make sense, ask the spa if they offer any special extras, such as chocolate-covered strawberries and champagne or wine, and surprise your mom with something.

4. Treat your mom to an unexpected add-on.

In addition to surprising your mom with refreshments, surprise her with a treatment add-on. For instance, if she's getting a massage, treat her to a bit of aromatherapy or hot stones. If she's getting a facial, she might like a lip or eye treatment or skin-tightening microcurrents. Add-ons generally don't cost too much more, making them a relatively inexpensive way to improve a spa day for Mom.

Find deals on hot-stone massages near you.

5. Let her splurge on products.

Whenever you get a spa treatment, the aestheticians and massage therapists will let you know what products they used on you so you can purchase them at the spa if you want. Give your mom a spa gift card so she can splurge on the products that she liked but wouldn't necessarily buy for herself. Yes, it may cost more than a spa lunch or treatment add-on, but she did give birth to you.

Find deals on skincare products.

6. Get her something for the relaxation lounge.

Looking for a Mom-impressing spa-day idea that won't force you to eat Ramen every night until your next paycheck? Buy her a book or magazine to read in the relaxation lounge before or after her appointment.

7. Continue the spa day at home.

Make up a goody bag full of at-home spa gifts, such as face masks, bath salts, and body butter, which will help her continue to relax when she gets home. You can also buy her an aromatherapy diffuser so she can re-create a spa atmosphere at home.

Find deals on diffusers and essential oils.

RELATED READS:

How to Have the Best Mother-Daughter Spa Day

These five tips will ensure your mother-daughter spa day is extra special.

What is Aromatherapy? A Guide to Essential Oils and Diffusers

Essential oils smell nice, but they also have other reported benefits, such as promoting relaxation and easing muscle pain.