Great Escape: Out Of Town Holiday Shopping Excursion

Are you ready for the holidays? Ready or not, in just six weeks, Hanukkah will have started and Christmas will be days away. If you like to decorate, participate in seasonal events, shop, bake, cook-and still have time to enjoy the most important people in your life-there's no time like the present to get organized and prepare a game plan.

To fully engage in the holiday season, why not take a day off from multitasking, and get out of town with one of your bffs? Here are three great destination locations to get you in the holiday spirit:

Did you know that America's Largest Christmas Bazaar is held just a few hours south, in Portland? There are over 900 booths chock full of handmade items with enough variety that this could be your only shopping destination this season. Take the train, or load up your car on one of two weekends-November 25-27 or December 2-4. 

Get into the holiday spirit by traveling a few hours across the border to Vancouver, BC one of the most cosmopolitan cities near Seattle. Vancouver BC sparkles during the holiday season, with Stanley Park's dazzling light display, the Peak of Christmas at Grouse Mountain and world-class shopping.

If you have a weekend to spare, hop a plane to San Francisco! The City by the Bay offers outstanding shopping and a variety of cultural experiences. Tuesday, December 20, marks the first night of Hanukkah, so if you head to San Francisco on the weekend of Dec 2nd, you will have time to shop, enjoy a play and even take a Hanukkah Cooking Class!

So, whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah or another seasonal holiday, get a group of your friends together and maximize your enjoyment. You'll likely share some ideas and laughter in the process!