Put your Paws Up for the holidays this year

by Tom Johansmeyer on

While the rest of the world is trekking out to Rockefeller Center to see the tree or hanging around Times Square while waiting for the ball’s big drop, head the other way. “The Last Best Christmas Vacation” package from the Paws Up resort in Montana pulls together everything you’d want in a traditional winter holiday celebration … along with the luxurious touch that you’d expect at a remote, upscale and high-touch destination.

From December 22 – 29, 2009, you can hole up in one of the Paws Up villas, dash off on snowmobiles or push yourself along on cross-country skis, while the world continues its rush without dragging you along. As part of this six-day/five-night package, you’ll also be able to enjoy sleigh rides and an old-fashioned tree-trimming party. The basics are covered, too, such as breakfast, lunch and dinner daily, a half-day winter adventure, a decorated Christmas tree (and some egg nog, of course!), nightly ice skating and an open fire nearby. If you have some talent, take part in the Gingerbread house building contest … while wearing the Paws Up wrangler stockings you’ll be given.

Christmas Eve, of course, is when the magic will happen. A special menu will be put together in Pomp, the Paws Up restaurant, and the highlight of the party for the kids will be a special visit from Santa Claus.

So, put civilization behind you this December, and create a vacation experience that will stay with you for the rest of your life. Enjoy nature, and frolic in the snow … and eat, sleep and relax at a resort that will positively blow your mind.

Send Christmas to a Friend

by Annie Scott on

This year, a number of my friends are spending the holiday season in remote locations. Some are off helping orphans, others are in Rwanda and Russia working with women’s charities, and some enlisted friends are overseas in Iraq and Afghanistan. Also, plenty of college kids can’t afford to fly home this year, with the economy being what it is.

So? Send them Christmas. The Christmas Tree in a Box (right) is an easy alternative to trying to buy someone a gift that will make them feel loved. If you want to make someone feel loved with commercial goods, buy them the very spirit of the most commercially awesome holiday ever. No, not Jacob Marley, the tree.

Once constructed, it stands nearly two feel tall, and it comes with 24 foil boughs, 25 glittery foil ornaments, one spool of silver thread, one gold foil star tree topper, and 20 sheets of 6 x 6 origami paper in four vibrant patterns. The kit also includes a book of carols, an egg nog recipe, and orgami instructions.

If your holiday orphan friend is Jewish? Send them nine, and they can light one on fire each night. That’s a joke.

Buy yours (or theirs) here on Spoon Sisters for $14.95. For $4.25 extra, they’ll wrap it up nice in a box with a pretty hunter green checkered ribbon.

It’s Christmas. It’s okay to have it gift wrapped even if you’re buying it for youself. I give you permission.