With Christmas just days away, we're down to the wire as malls, department stores, and boutique shops are full to the brim yet again with last-minute shoppers. If you're like us, you may still be lacking a gift or two for people on your list. For those travelers on your holiday shopping list, we've put together this round up of a few last-minute gift ideas.

For many people, this time of year is for spending time with family, opening presents, and eating more sugar cookies then your stomach can hold. However, for others, it's a time to escape the hustle and bustle of the holidays to take a vacation. For those looking for the best of both worlds, we've put together this round-up of area hotels that are mixing the holidays with vacation. 

It could be the way the letters of 'SANTA' conveniently rearrange to spell 'SATAN' at the hands of distracted preschoolers, or it could just be the tendency of the stressful season to pressurize folks (until they POP), but there's something uncanny about Christmas that inspires filmmakers to maim and murder en masse on the big screen.

Although we celebrate holidays throughout the year, we reserve the term "holiday season" for that belt-busting period between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day when we channel the time and energy normally given to work into the rewarding pursuits of eating and drinking with family and friends. And with Hanukkah just ending, the next milestone on this year’s calendar is Christmas Eve. For beer lovers, this is a prime opportunity to enjoy the dark and hearty ales that traditionally mark this occasion.