As International Women’s Day 2023 approaches this year on March 8th falling, you may be wondering a few things about this special date. The first thing on your mind might be considering the best way in which to celebrate this day of feminine festivities as well as the reasons why many around the world recognize it. Let’s start with why we have this date to honor women and then move on to how you can and should pamper yourself like the queen you are. 

Origin of the Date & Why Celebrated

International Women’s Day was officially recognized worldwide beginning in the late 1970s. On this date, we honor the accomplishments of both historically recognized and modern women from around the world with particular emphasis on the forward movement for which we celebrate suffrage. While women in many nations enjoy greater gender equality and the empowerment of women’s freedoms, this day also recognizes the work that still needs to be done to allow these privileges to all women in lesser developed nations. 

The importance of this day cannot be overstated. Hardworking women around the world contribute to empowering themselves and one another in ways our ancestors could never have dreamed of. We have come so far, and there is much to celebrate! It can be all too easy to get caught up in giving our all at work and home, sometimes forgetting to indulge and give ourselves a little extra attention. So on this International Women’s Day, let’s bring some of that focus back to you and plan a celebration honoring all your efforts and hard work. Read on for some indulgent ideas on how to best pamper yourself and feel like the queen.

Pampering is All About You

This is all about you and what you personally enjoy. One interesting point to consider is what types of things make each unique woman feel pampered. It would be simple enough to list off a spa day menu full of facials, massages, and a delectable lunch but the most important thing to remember is to figure out what feels special and celebratory to you personally! While a day at your favorite spa is absolutely a perfect way to celebrate all that is feminine, doing whatever it is that makes you feel most relaxed and rejuvenated is really the only way to be sure you feel indulged and pampered.

Another thing to keep in mind is that with IWD falling in the middle of the work week this year, it’s entirely appropriate to plan a day (or two!) of celebration on the weekend prior to or after the exact date. After all, this special date honors the strides women have made in the workforce, which means many of us will have a day full of emails and meetings on that particular date. You can always include a few little special things on the day and leave the big celebration for a Saturday or Sunday.

A Day at the Spa

Pampering yourself like a queen would not be complete without mentioning that time spent at a day spa always feels decadently luxurious. Ultimate relaxation is achieved by the serenity of calming sounds, carefully considered fragrances from calming essential oils, and the indulgence of a massage or facial treatment. A few of the most popular spa services commonly chosen for luxurious pampering include:

• Massage: a Swedish massage is a wonderful option for soothing the body and mind. This type of massage uses gentle stroking motions for ultimate relaxation. 
• Facial: Various cleansers and serums are massaged into the skin to purify the pores and induce relaxation. 
• Manicure: Often includes nail shaping, cuticle trimming, hand and wrist massage, as well as color added to fingernails if you wish.
• Pedicure: Pedicures treat your feet to softening treatments, massage, clean up, and toenail painting for a pop of color.

The spa is the perfect place to get away from it mentally and clear your mind with the dimmed lighting and cozy atmosphere. From the moment you walk in the door, you will feel your energy shift from hustle and bustle to calm and clear. Day spas thoughtfully choose sounds and music meant to help you tap into relaxing frequencies for the most restful experience. Essential oil fragrances waft gently through each room, lulling you into a zen-like state with lavender, eucalyptus, and various citrus scents. 

Indulgent services available at a spa can range from anything intended purely for relaxation to beautifying services for aesthetic results. Calming and stress-relieving massage helps relax tense muscles and get the blood flowing, resulting in deep relaxation and healthful rest. Facial services provide beautifying and relaxation benefits using various cleansers, masks, and light massage techniques. Spending some time in the sauna or steam room is a perfectly luxurious addition for added relaxation. Many full-service day spas also offer exclusive yoga classes and private gyms with the option to hire a personal trainer who will customize a workout plan specific to you and your fitness goals.

Celebrate with Friends

If you are more extroverted and spending the day alone does not sound like a whole ton of fun, then consider planning a celebration with friends. It would not feel like a special day if you were just wishing you had some friends to talk to. What better way to celebrate International Women’s Day than with a few of your favorites? A champagne brunch is always a fabulous choice, complete with decadent desserts. Do your research and find a local spot with a beautiful courtyard space to enjoy the fresh air if the weather permits. Be sure all in attendance remember that this is a celebration, so dress to impress, if only just for fun! You could even make it a point to wear the color white, which honors the women’s suffrage movement.

Since the day is about honoring the achievements of women, a fun idea is to host an hor d’oeuvres and wine gathering for some of your favorite lovely ladies at your home. Visit your favorite specialty grocer for the tastiest finger foods, uncommon fruits, and exotic cheeses. Choose an interesting theme that celebrates femininity and plan on inspiring interesting conversation. This could be a good opportunity to start that book club you have been thinking about initiating. Or maybe this is the beginning of a fun networking group that is about so much more than just hard work. Celebrating being a woman is about more than just focusing on working. Imagine a group of talented, intelligent women who encourage one another to remember self-care and how important it is to indulge in the finer things now and then. Sign me up!

Classic Bubbles

Sometimes, one of the most indulgent experiences is also one of the simplest. A warm bubble bath with sweet-scented soaps, maybe some soothing Epsom salts, and flickering candles surrounding the tub could be just the thing to help you feel pampered and achieve deep relaxation. This sounds basic enough, but really, how often do we make a point of actually doing this luxurious self-care ritual?

The warm water will soothe any aches and most certainly relax even the tensest muscles. If you want to make this pampering ritual even more special, add extra bubbles! You could indulge in a little champagne to keep the bubbly theme going, or even just some cold sparkling water with cut-up fruits would be a fun treat. Speaking of fruits, chocolate-covered strawberries, pineapples, and melons are the perfect decadent snack for an evening of pampering. The dessert section of most bakeries usually offers these, or you can buy the ingredients and have some fun preparing them in your own kitchen. Pick up fresh-cut flowers while you’re there for a pretty feminine aesthetic.

What Makes You Feel Special?

The thing to remember when planning your special day of luxurious pampering and relaxation is that there is a multitude of ideas available you could choose to celebrate the day with. Honoring women and the queen that you are is all about the freedom to choose how you want to live your life and what makes you feel happy and fulfilled. 

Some women want a day of spa treatments and a dip in the hot tub to feel pampered. It could be splurging a little on a personal trainer to design the perfect workout that feels like a luxury to you. For others, feeling like a queen includes indulging in champagne and dessert with friends. A book club meeting in the park might be the way to celebrate for another group of like-minded women. Or perhaps the tried and true candlelit bubble bath and a vase of fresh cut flowers next to the tub is just what you need to feel pampered and celebrated. Whatever it is that feels special and relaxing to you is the best way to honor yourself this International Women’s Day.