Christmas Gifts and Decorations

Get a jump start on Christmas shopping. If you're planning on doing most of your Christmas shopping early, plan a late-November getaway to a major city to hit the holiday sales. Or, get some gift ideas from the comfort of your own home.

• Luxury Hotel Bath Products make great gifts.
• Hotel-Inspired Gift Ideas to add luxury hotel touches to any home.

Enjoy the Christmas decorations. Most hotels and resorts start putting their decorations up in late November and keep them up through the very early part of January. Family-friendly hotels and resorts can be great destinations to see Santa Claus in person, or watch a tree-trimming ceremony. Or start a new family tradition with an elegant holiday Teddy Bear Tea Party in your own city - Santa often makes an appearance there as well.

• Family-friendly Holiday Hotel Deals
• Disney World Holiday Decorations start going up in mid-November.
• More family holiday vacation ideas from About Travel with Kids

Bring the holidays home. Take some tips from elegant hotels and charming bed & breakfast inns to bring the ambiance of the holiday home.

• Ideas for Great Gingerbread Houses straight from a pastry chef.
• Easy Gingerbread House Recipe - even the kids can help.
• Tips for Christmas Decorating from the experts.
• Get some inspiration with photos from hotels' Giant Gingerbread House Displays