For many people, the holidays are a wonderful time to get away from it all. Everyone has time off of work, the kids are out of school and oftentimes, and there are few professional or social commitments to keep you home between Christmas and New Years. So why not consider packing your bags and heading on a Christmas Getaway.

The trick to not feeling cheated out of your holidays is to plan a holiday celebration that everyone will enjoy. First, sit down with your family and discuss the things that they each feel makes the holidays special. Then try and incorporate those traditions into your getaway. Can't imagine Christmas without snow? Then stay away from a Caribbean cruise! The holidays can be very personal (especially to children), so be careful not foster disappointment with your plans.

Or maybe you live in a warm urban climate and have always dreamed of celebrating a real down to earth Christmas,. Why not consider renting a country cottage in the country full of hometown Christmas festivities? Enjoy the town Christmas tree lighting ceremony, ice skating a the local pond; cutting down your own Christmas tree from the forest (or at least a tree farm); visiting Santa's cottage and having your family's picture taken; or drinking hot chocolate near an open fire on Christmas Eve night.

Going away for Christmas doesn't have to entail a holiday filled with sightseeing and travel. It can be a wonderful time to sit back, out up your feet and enjoy a holiday filled with relaxation and old-fashioned fun.

When considering where to go this holiday season ask yourself these important questions:

-Is our family looking for a traditional holiday experience or something totally off the wall and unconventional?

-Are we looking for a warm weather or cold weather holiday getaway?

-Do we want to relax or be on-the-go?

-Will our getaway include our immediate family only, or extended family and friends?

-Are we interested in a down to earth holiday experience, or something that includes a more modern touch?

Once you've decided the type of Christmas getaway you're after, it's time to consider where to get it. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

-If you're looking for a traditional Christmas, consider a visit to New England, where the weather is often cold and snowy (great for skiing, ice skating and sledding), and the lifestyle is slower. If a hotel seems too impersonal, consider a bed and breakfast facility that features tree decorating, Christmas caroling and a formal Christmas Dinner.

Other options may include a visitor's house that welcomes people into their home to share the holidays. Some other great places to enjoy a more traditional Christmas experience include: a Midwest farm; Lancaster County, Pennsylvania; or a more rural area of the Pacific Northwest.

-Those who crave a less traditional Christmas getaway may enjoy a European vacation; Caribbean cruise; trip to Disney World in Florida; or even a train ride through the glaciers of Alaska.

With so many choices available, it really doesn't matter where you decide to spend your holidays this year. The important thing to remember is to incorporate the things that your family wants and needs to have in order to make it a memorable Christmas this year.