We have been on the road now for 6 months, holidays have come and gone, but somehow Christmas stood out differently from the others. I think it was Lily. She had a count down on her computer, bought a Santa hat with her own money in Malaysia, and had Christmas songs playing for almost a month straight. It was clear the holiday meant a lot to her, but our family and friends would be far away, we would be in a new country and with our small bags, presents were really out of the question. We also wanted an experience. The girls would be volunteering the rest of the time they were in Bhutan, so we decided on an event. We saw an announcement for a Christmas discount at the newly created Bhutan Spirit Sanctuary - a stunningly beautiful all-inclusive resort and decided that would be their Christmas present this year.

Christmas Eve we arrived, greeted grandly to the sanctuary, built like a monastery overlooking a sacred valley outside of Paro. We were introduced to the philosophy of the sanctuary, a place of complete rest and wellbeing. After a splendid lunch, we had our appointments with the traditional medicine doctor (a part of the stay) as the girls were off playing with the local cats and dogs.

That evening, after a massage (again, all a part of your stay) we headed to family-style dinner with travelers from near and far where we were treated to the most delicious and elaborate Christmas dinner I have had to date. Turkey’s from Bangkok mulled wine, homemade egg nog and fully lit Yule Logs made the evening one we will never forget.

We decided it was such a gift to be in these places, we stayed all three days, taking in the peace, quiet and making the most of every moment. Pottery classes, meditation sessions, yoga, and back healing herbal baths filled our days, and the calm and peace were splendid.

The thing I will take home with me, however, is the feeling of Christmas morning. In our bathrobes next to a beautiful small tree, sipping tea and coffee, we opened a few small gifts and talked about the meaning of the season. How they are old enough now to understand the grace of giving without expectation of something in return, and that is the magic of the season. And with hugs and smiles, they both said in their own ways, how this was the favorite Christmas ever and I could not have agreed more. The gift of time as a family has been a priceless gift this year we have all treasured.