Shop until you drop in style with these deals

Shopping is surely easier now with the trinity of the Internet, Fed Ex and UPS, but you can't beat rummaging through brick and mortar boutiques or department stores when they're sparkling with holiday décor, animated windows and Santa Claus. Combine a holiday shopping excursion with an overnight getaway and you've created a memorable family jaunt that's as sweet as hot chocolate and easy as (pumpkin) pie.

ChicagoYou'll find them in Dubai, Mexico City, Hong Kong, L.A. and D.C. (among others), and no two JW Marriotts are the same, but each reflects the nuances of its locale in a luxe way. In other words, these are pretty darn cool hotels and now Chicago has one, too, in the heart of Chicago's Loop district, 151 W. Adams St. Little kids may not notice but you and your middle schooler or teenager will go for the Holiday Shopping package at the Chicago outpost. Valid through Jan. 31, 2012, JW Marriott's shopping package includes a $100 Macy's gift card with an additional 10 percent visitor savings pass, complimentary access to the high-tech health club and those cushy accommodations in which to unwind. Rates range from $254-$604. The promo code is ZH5, which you can use by calling (800) 228-9290 or type in the corporate/promotional code box when making your online reservation at jwmarriottchicago.com. Some of the finest hotels in The Magnificent Mile district are offering special rates and amenities throughout the holiday season and area restaurants and shops will also be offering special perks. Consider the Winter Wonderfest Package (through Jan. 8, 2012) at DoubleTree by Hilton Chicago Magnificent Mile at 300 E. Ohio St. It includes accommodations for two adults and two children; a Navy Pier savings book complete with pier-wide dining and shopping savings; four one-day admittance passes for select rides/attractions through Winter Wonderfest on Navy Pier; complimentary overnight parking at the hotel (valued at $43/night), and an in-room movie; with rates beginning at $169/night with a two-night minimum stay, based upon availability. The hotel's Shopping Escape Package includes a one-night stay in a spacious deluxe guest room for two and a gift bag filled with special perks from the 900 North Michigan Shops plus a $50 gift card valid at over 70 luxury retailers inside the shopping center. Rates begin at $169 per night, are based upon availability and valid through March 31, 2012. For reservations, call (866) 778-8536 or stroll over to doubletreemagmile.com. The historic Drake Hotel at 140 E. Walton Place offers a Shop 'Til You Drop Overnight Package through Dec. 31 that includes a $75 gift card to the 900 North Michigan Shops, 15 percent off a Bloomingdale's savings pass with a leather card holder, MaxMara cosmetic bag, complimentary makeup consultations and custom blended #8220;Perfect Lip Color#8221; from Mario Tricoci Hair Salon Day Spa, and overnight accommodations at The Drake with a full American breakfast for two. Prices start at $229. Your young elves will like watching toy locomotives chugging through tunnels of chocolate and marzipan and everyone should experience a Holiday Afternoon Tea at The Drake, accompanied by seasonal pastries and live music. Carolers entertain Dec. 13 to 24, too. If you're up for some old world elegance call (312) 787-2200 or thedrakehotel.com.Look for a bevy of hotels that have partnered with the 900 North Michigan Shops at shop900.com/visitors/hotel_packages including the Hard Rock Hotel Chicago, The James, Dana Hotel Spa, Swissotel, Fairmont and others. You'll be together, de-stress in the hotel at the #8220;most wonderful time of the year#8221; and chop off a big chunk of the gift list. The Sheraton Chicago Hotel Towers (301 E. North Water St. on the Riverwalk) has partnered with the iconic store for a Macy's Shopping package which includes a $100 Macy's gift card, free shuttle to both Macy's on State Street and Macy's at Water Tower Place. Rates start at $179 per night. Call (312) 464-1000 or get details at sheratonchicago.com about the package which is valid Dec. 2-4 and 7-31. The Kids in the City package at Four Seasons Hotel Chicago, good through Dec. 31, will snag you luxurious accommodations; use of the indoor swimming pool; complimentary meals for children 12 and under from the In-Room Dining children's menu; a visit from the Ice Cream Man; and special savings and discounts from local retailers and cultural attractions. Rates begin at $500 per night at the tony property at 120 E. Delaware Place. Kids will adore the Hot Chocolate Doc who is on call to roll up to guest rooms and serve steamy mugs from the mobile hot chocolate bar stocked with toppings and flavor infusions for the whole family. Adults may want to look into the spa's Foot Indulgence massage after a long day of shopping with kids. Book your getaway at (312) 280-8800 or fourseasons.com/chicagofs. WoodfieldYour feet will beg for a room after browsing some of the 300 stores and restaurants at Schaumburg's Woodfield Shopping Center.Eaglewood Resort and Spa's Shop 'Til You Drop package brings together deluxe overnight accommodations, Bountiful Breakfast for two, a $50 Woodfield Shopping Center gift card; passport to savings and complimentary shuttle service to and from the mall available seven days a week. Rates at the Itasca resort start at $159 per night. Call (877) 285-6150 for reservations or wander to eaglewoodresort.com. The Renaissance Schaumburg's #8220;Savvy Shopping Package#8221; includes a $50 American Express gift card, breakfast for two at Sam Harry's and a shopping tote. Hop on the free Woodfield shuttle that will pick you up from the hotel and drop you off at Woodfield Shopping Center, the Streets of Woodfield or the Village Green shopping center. Prices range from $169-$189 and be sure to use the code SHO to book it at either marriott.com/hotels/hotel-deals/chirs-renaissance-schaumburg-convention-center-hotel or (800) 228-9290.The Hyatt Regency Schaumburg at 1800 E. Golf Road has a shopping package that includes free parking, daily breakfast for two at Fresh 1800, a $50 gift card to Woodfield mall, a complimentary shuttle to and from the mall, and holiday wrapping for a limited time. Must use SHOPWF promo code at time of reservation. To find the offer online, go to woodfield.hyatt.com/hyatt/hotels/offers/offers.jsp?_requestid=42065.Branson, Mo.Branson is a family-friendly destination year-round that boasts more than 250 places to shop including outlet malls, specialty shops, upscale boutiques and craft malls. Add glittering light displays and holiday décor throughout the Missouri town during the wildly popular Ozark Mountain Christmas (through Dec. 31) and you#8216;ve got quite the all-American getaway. The ibranson.com website lists scads of hotel packages or the staff can also customize packages to include lodging, shopping coupons, family dining and a Christmas production of your choice. Prices vary based on arrival date, length of stay, hotel and production. Take a look at ibranson.com or call (877) 368-3782. New York, New YorkThe holiday season is a grand time to visit exciting New York City. NYC Company, the city's official marketing, tourism and partnership organization, just debuted several offers including Lower Manhattan hotel deals with special weekend rates, late checkout and a downtown culture pass running until Dec. 31 (www.nycgo.com/getmorenyc/lower-manhattan). There are great places to eat, shop, stroll and soak in some of the history of New York's first neighborhood and then head to the Upper East Side to see the seasonal window displays at Barneys flagship store. It's not all about the department stores and boutiques #8212; check out the city's outdoor markets in Union Square Park, Grand Central Station, Times Square and more. There's no need to make like a Sherpa carrying a load of parcels during your shopping getaway to the Big Apple #8212; the #8220;You Shop, We Ship#8221; package at the luxe Omni Berkshire Place in Midtown Manhattan has you covered. The hotel, perfectly located on 52nd Street between Fifth and Madison avenues and the city's top shopping destinations, provides free shipping on packages up to 25 pounds to the destination of your choice within the continental U.S. You'll also get a list and map of top shopping spots and each child snags an Omni Kids backpack filled with goodies plus milk and cookies in the guest room on the first night. Rates start from $299 per night and it's valid through Dec. 31, 2012. Book it at www.omnihotels.com/Home/FindAHotel/NewYorkOmniBerkshire/SpecialOffers/YouShopWeShipPackage. Millennium Hotels and Resorts has introduced a special #8220;New York Shopping#8221; package at the Millennium Broadway Hotel and the Millennium U.N. Plaza Hotel. In addition to discounts at stores in Times Square and other parts of the city, the package provides savings on an excursion to Woodbury Commons, one of the largest outlet shopping centers in the Northeast. The package at both Millennium hotels nets you overnight accommodations and continental breakfast for two, 20 percent off on purchases at 77kids by American Eagle, 10 percent off on purchases at other shops, up to $6 off on admission to Ripley's Believe it or Not!, a 20 percent savings on Hampton Luxury Liner bus service to Woodbury Commons, with a complimentary VIP coupon book and more. Valid through Jan. 15, 2012, the package s priced from $224 per room based on double occupancy plus applicable taxes. For more information, visit millenniumhotels.com.Thrill your teenager with a stay at the hippest place on the planet, Brooklyn, and the Best Western Plus Prospect Park. After taking in the holiday spirit and shopping in New York, indulge and treat yourself in the new state-of-the-art #8220;Oasis Spa#8221; with a Swedish massage and relaxing steam and sauna treatment. In the evening, wind down fireside with hot cocoa and freshly baked cookies. The package includes two round-trip NYC Metro subway fare cards that will get you into the heart of Manhattan in about 20 minutes. The Weekend Holiday Package starts at $209 per night and can be booked (800) 780-7234 or tinyurl.com/877s4oz. Mall of AmericaSeven Yankee Stadiums can fit inside the Mall of America, which means you'll get your shopping done and log some serious steps on the pedometer. One of the top tourist destinations in the country, the mall checks in with more than 520 stores but it also has plenty for kids: 25 rides and attractions in Nickelodeon Universe, Sea Life Minnesota Aquarium and a Lego play area in which nearly 200,000 Legos have been lost so don't feel so bad about the count in your house. Another plus for shoppers? There is no sales tax on clothing in Minnesota.Count on a cascade of hotel deals listed at the mall's website (mallofamerica.com/visit/packages) with rates as low as $55.20 per night. Many offer kid-friendly extras from movie theater tickets and meals to passes to the aquarium and rides. Country Inn Suites, for example, has a Family FunPack with two all-day passes to Nickelodeon Universe, four passes (two adults, two children) to Sea Life, shopping bag/booklet with discounts and a Build-A-Bear #8220;bunk trunk#8221; with accessories with purchase of Build-A-Bear. This property also offers free shuttle service to MOA or the airport, free hot breakfast buffet, two indoor pools and whirlpools, a fitness center and free high-speed wireless Internet service. There's a TGI Friday's and IHOP connected to the hotel via indoor corridor and it is directly across the street from the mall and the Light Rail Transit station. 23323504Ice skating at Rockefeller Center would top off a shopping trip to New York City. 8601291The magnificence of the North Michigan Avenue shopping district shines at Christmastime. 26674000Water Town Place in Chicago. 26674000Water Tower Place in Chicago. 40002662Window displays such as this one at Saks mark the holidays in New York City. 40002657Mall of America in Minnesota boasts more than 520 stores. 32442369Nickelodeon Universe will give kids lasting memories of Mall of America. 32642448New York is rolling out the red carpet for shoppers to come to its iconic shopping destinations, such as Macy’s. 40002657JW Marriott in Chicago’s Loop area offers posh accommodations for a special night in the city. 13492000Branson, Mo., offers shopping galore and holiday decor as part of its Ozark Mountain Christmas.