Editor's P.S.

Southern Living, Dec 2003 by Murphy, Morgan

From gifts to hotel rooms, holiday bargains abound this month (unless you're paying the power bill for an extremely festive lights display).

Editor's Pick

My mother gave me sage anniversary and holiday advice when I got married: "Son," she said, "never give your wife a gift she has to plug in." By the same token, one might imagine that giving a broom might be grounds for divorce-but not if you buy it from Ogles Broom Shop in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. Brooms crafted at this mountain shop are works of art-carved with birds, other animals, and curlicues. Likewise, their walking sticks display bears, cougars, horses, and knobs. One model even comes with a built-in compass. A walking stick (selections start at $17) is one of the best gifts in the South. Contact Ogles Broom Shop at (865) 430-4402 or http://oglebrooms.tripod.com.

Best Bargain of the Month

If just one more night at grandma's house has you climbing her afghan-covered walls, consider an escape to gorgeous Ponte Vedra Beach near Jacksonville, Florida. The Sawgrass Marriott Resort & Beach Club, a 4,800-acre family resort, will be knocking prices to just $125 per night between December 14 and 28 (down from $175). The spread will be decked out for the holidays while still offering 99 holes of golf, horseback riding, a fishing lagoon, and a special tuck-in for tots from the fat man himself-St. Nick. For reservations or other last-minute holiday specials, call 1-800-457-4653, or visit www.travel web.com.

Packing Tip

Most holiday sojourners will be making multiple stops this year-one night at Aunt Bessie's, another at mama's, and maybe a stop off at sister's. Packing and repacking is bad enough, but having to tuck in dirty clothes with the clean ones presents a special challenge. You can prevent that eggnog you spilled on your favorite shirt from oozing its way over to your clean socks by packing a dirty-clothes bag. But how do you keep soiled garments from stinking up everything else? Tote unused dryer sheets in each bag; they will keep your clothes smelling just-washed fresh.

Spotted This Month

Feeling festive? We bet your lights don't compare with this display. Reader Danita Lively-Jones of Louisville told us about this spirited home, which is decked with, as she says, "decorations from what looks like every store in a 30-mile radius." We love it.