Crowded shopping malls, overpriced Christmas trees and one too many bowls of green bean casserole may have many holiday-lovers feeling less than jolly. Banish your inner Scrooge and head north for the ultimate Alaska holiday package ? white Christmas, ice sculptures and reindeer guaranteed. Experience the thrill of zipping along crystal glaciers on a snowmachine tour, glide down the ski slopes, view the northern lights and enjoy warm nights sipping eggnog by the fire. You don?t have to travel far to reach North Pole, Alaska, home to the annual ?Christmas in Ice? sculpting competition, and of course, the big man in red himself. If you need a little help with your Christmas gift list, pick up a few Alaska-made gifts such as jewelry, berry-filled chocolates and mouth-watering smoked salmon ? sharing is optional.

If dreams of sugarplums have been replaced with dreams of flying through fresh powder at extreme speeds, you may be a natural ?sled head.? The term of endearment used by Alaskans refers to those adventure lovers who roar through Alaska?s backcountry by snowmachine (also known as a ?sled?). You may not be quite ready for the 1,971-mile Tesoro Iron Dog race, but if you?d like to give snowmachining a try, HERE are a few options for your inner speed demon.

It?s beginning to look a lot like Christmas ? unless you live in North Pole, Alaska, where it looks a little like Christmas all year long. Located just outside of Fairbanks, North Pole (not the Earth?s actual pole) is a perfect hub for the holidays. Visit the ice sculpture park, send home a letter from Santa, pet reindeer or pick-up authentic North Pole gifts. Click HERE to learn more about North Pole?s holiday magic.

If you thought your boss or spouse had everything, you just haven?t been thinking outside the continental United States. A gift from Alaska is clever, high quality and best of all, unique. Whether you decide on fresh Alaska smoked salmon, a collectable ivory ulu knife, handmade gold nugget jewelry or a stunning antler carving, just be sure to buy products certified to be ?Made in Alaska.? Click HERE for some unique Alaska-made gift ideas.