Why wait for a season to visit the spa?

But then again, an occasion is always a good excuse. With Christmas around the corner, you might want to give yourself a bit of pampering and get into the festive spirit.

At the Ayuthaya The Royal Thai Spa, the mood and ambience is decidedly Christmasy. . The spa owners have introduced a "Christmas Indulgence" package, which includes a cinnamon and orange body polish to add a Christmas touch to the treatment.

There are healing properties imparted by the cinnamon and citrus too.

Cinnamon is said to improve the body?s ability to metabolise sugar and orange helps dispel tension and stress, so it makes a perfect combination to help you get rid of hangovers and excess sugars from too many drinks and Christmas cookies, while revving up your mood for more Christmas partying.

The Cinnamon Citrus Body Polish was concocted using a recipe handed down from one of owner?s mother, and I?ve been assured you won?t find this particular one at any other spa.

Before trying the treatment, I must say I was a little apprehensive about the use of cinnamon, since I knew its sweet scent can be a little overwhelming (I?ve a bottle of the oil at home). But I was pleasantly surprised at how subtle it was when the massage therapist applied it. The polish felt like fine sand when rubbed on the skin, much to my relief. I was dreading being "sandpapered" all over before the treatment began.

Topped off with a Thai aroma oil massage under expert hands, my spirits were perked up and I was ready to face the world again.

At $98 for one session (includes a half-hour scrub and a one-hour Thai oil aroma massage) until the end of January, it is pretty much a steal for anyone looking for a quick getaway from one too many festive parties.

The treatment is available at Ayuthaya The Royal Thai Spa. There are two branches at Gallery Hotel Tel: (65) 67360998, and Meritus Negara Singapore Tel: (65) 62388227