Christmas Shopping Getaways

I dread Christmas shopping every year. Every member of my family has a November-December birthday, so I'm always doing double duty.

The way I see it, there are two ways to make Christmas shopping more palatable. The first is to make an occasion out of it. Travel to a large city, enjoy the music and lights, try some different stores. Many hotels offer packages that make it easier on you, by including personal shoppers, offering gift wrap and shipping services, and even giving you a massage when you return from the stores.

On the other hand, I like the novel approach suggested by the Renaissance Chicago O'Hare Suites Hotel. Two glasses of wine, a huge stack of catalogs, and free Internet access. That could become my new Christmas tradition.