Gifts of gym memberships and Botox treatments can lead to hurt feelings – and bad reviews for the businesses

Thinking of giving a gym membership or Botox gift card for Valentine’s Day? Think again.

By: Linnéa Chapman, Florida International University, The Conversation

Outlets: The Conversation

Published: January 27, 2026

Words: 1,146

Last Updated: 23 hours, 22 minutes ago

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By Linnéa Chapman, Florida International University

How would you feel if someone gave you a gym membership as a holiday or Valentine’s Day gift?

What about Botox?

Laser hair removal?

Services like those are part of the estimated US$48 billion self-improvement industry. Does this suggest that many people would appreciate self-improvement gifts?

Retailers seem to think so.

The Planet Fitness chain of gyms encourages buying workout equipment for Mother’s Day. The Republic of Tea …

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