Though the holidays are typically thought of as a time for celebration, a growing number of people are choosing to have plastic surgery around Christmas and New Years, CNN reports.

Doctors say the main reason for the increase is that it is often a slow time of the year for people at work, and they will not have to take much time off for recovery. Those that do need to take additional time also usually do not need to explain why.

Financial reasons, like avoiding a new deductible in the New Year, prompt many patients considering surgery to move more quickly around the holidays. Some patients consider plastic surgery, which is usually not covered under insurance, as a gift to oneself or a family member.

Because any treatment has inherent risks, the gift of surgery should only take place in an established doctor-patient relationship with a board certified plastic surgeon. You should never consider treatment without a reasonable understanding of the risks, expected results, and pre- and post-treatment care.

One way of gifting plastic surgery is to pay for the consultation fee with the plastic surgeon. This ensures the safety and care of the gift recipient by sending them to a reputable physician and the fee usually goes toward the cost of the procedure or surgery.