Traveling as a family is always a bit challenging, but traveling as a family during the holidays can turn the weak of heart into a grinch. Even if everyone in your family is in a great mood and cooperating — which, come on, what are the chances of that? — once you step out into the world, things can go sideways quickly whether you travel by air or land. Still, there are things you can do to make holiday travel go as smoothly as possible.
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We can’t promise you that nothing will go wrong on your trip or that it will be completely stress-free because then we’d be liars. Things happen and they may happen to you. But we can help you get prepared with tips that will help you stay safe, healthy, and prepared.
Bringing gifts?
If you are traveling with gifts, try to keep them to smaller items that you can fit in your suitcases. Also, don’t wrap them. Instead, cut a few sheets of wrapping paper, so they can lay flat in your suitcase and wrap the gifts one you get to your destination.
Better yet, have your gifts shipped.
You can gifts shipped to your destination so you don’t have to deal with them at all while traveling. You can even ask for them to be sent as gifts so they are already dressed up and looking pretty.
Or you can give gifts that take up no space at all.
Think subscription services like Spotify, Audible, or a fun monthly box. These gifts require no packing and are fun for the receiver as well. Plus, every time they use their subscription or receive their box, they will think of you.
Make a list and get to packing.
Packing as a family can get a bit messy and rushed if you don’t plan ahead for it. Have every family member make a list of what they must pack and review it in case they missed anything. Have them check items off their list as they pack them up.
Pack clothes you can wear multiple times.
Think shoes that will go with every outfit you wear or a dress that can be worn on its own and then with a sweater over it to look like a whole different outfit. One pair of pants can be worn with multiple tops.
Don’t pack non-essentials.
Depending on where you're headed, there's no need to bring full sizes of anything or items that aren't super necessary. Definitely bring the shampoo, soap, toothpaste, and your toothbrushes, but other nice-to-have items can either be bought where you are going or maybe you can do without some of those during your trip (flat irons, fancy styling products, etc.).
Do pack essential medications.
If anyone in your family takes medications, make sure you pack them and keep them with you and accessible. Pack them in a place where you'll remember and will have access to them easily.
Have your phone travel ready.
Make sure your cellphone is charged all the way, has all your travel info front and center, and has any phone numbers you might need ready to go. Don’t forget to bring your cord and charger. It also never hurts to pack an extra battery so you don’t have to try and find an outlet.
Don’t forget travel-related documents.
Don’t forget to bring your passport or necessary ID with you. Don’t wait until the last minute to round them up for you and your family either. It would suck to go grab your passport only to find out it expired.
Are you driving?
Traveling in an RV can be the best way to go for the holidays. That said, if you’re driving, make sure you check weather conditions all along your route. If you are traveling where it’s very cold or snowy, you really should travel with a winter emergency kit that includes a flashlight and extra batteries, a first aid kit, non-perishable food, bottled water, booster cables, flares, extra clothes, blankets, a snow shovel, ice scraper, and a cellphone with backup battery or charger just in case you get stuck somewhere.
Get your car serviced before your trip.
There are going to be a lot of people on the road, the weather might also make things challenging, so you want to make sure your car is in tip top shape before you embark on your journey. Get a tune-up to make sure everything is working as it should and all fluids are as they should be.
Take deep breaths and do your best to relax.
It’s possible that even when you plan and do everything you possibly can to have a stress-free trip that things will go wrong. In those moments, take a few deep breaths and do your best to stay calm. Easier said than done, but freaking out will not fix whatever needs to be fixed, it will just add more chaos to the situation. Remain calm, deal with the situation at hand, stay safe, and be as kind and polite as you can be.
Don’t go!
I’m kidding, but not completely. If something goes wrong, like the weather gets too crazy to navigate, stay home. But really, your safety and sanity are important. If it becomes way too hard or too dangerous to go, then don’t go. It’s not worth it.
