Christmas is drawing ever closer and people's attention will soon be turning to the festive shopping required to ensure there are smiles on your family's face this year.

But with Aidy Boothroyd's boys doing well on the pitch, fitting in your Christmas shopping around the U's promotion push could prove to be a little tricky!

With that in mind, the U's have teamed up with their travel partners at Thomas Cook to put together a fantastic package for the upcoming game against Brighton & Hove Albion.

The U's travel to the South Coast on December 11th to take on the Seagulls and, with the game taking place on the Friday night, that leaves the rest of the weekend to do your Christmas shopping!

Brighton is famed for its historic Lanes shopping quarter, with a maze of twisting alleyways offering an extraordinary mix of antiques and jewellery shops nestling alongside specialist contemporary and designer boutique fashion.

Crammed with quaint and wondrous shops and funky restaurants and cafes, the Brighton Lanes are best wandered lazily and explored as you find them.

So why not team up with the U's and have a fabulous weekend away?

We've got the following prices on offer:-

Radisson Hotel 4* (Bed & Breakfast) One night £99 for two people based on twin room*
Royal Albion 3* (Bed & Breakfast) One night £67 for two people based on twin room*

Also on offer: Rail Colchester to Brighton return £65 per person

Meanwhile, if you're looking to start the new year off with a bang, why not consider a weekend away for the U's massive clash against Leeds United at the end of January?

Both teams look like real contenders for promotion this season and the match at Elland Road will be a test of the U's mettle.

We've put another fantastic deal together for loyal U's fans through the Colchester United Holiday Club:-

Saturday 30th January 2010 - Leeds United
Hotel The Met 4* (Bed & Breakfast) One night £62.40 for two people based on twin room*
Jury's Inn 3* (Bed & Breakfast) One night £53 for two people based on twin room*

Also on offer: Rail Colchester to Leeds return £79 per person

Supporters interested in taking up these offers should pop into or call the Colchester High Street branch of Thomas Cook, quoting the 'Colchester United Holiday Club away day offers' to get the prices mentioned above.

Please call Thomas Cook Colchester on - 0845 308 9222.

*Prices correct on 28 October 2009, prices based on 2 sharing, prices excludes travel insurance - full T&C's can be found on www.thomascooksport.com