The holidays are a cherished time for travel and gathering with loved ones. As a frequent guest and host over the years, I’ve discovered vital tips to maximize enjoyment for all involved in holiday celebrations. Within this page, you’ll find my best ideas and favorite finds to help make your holiday travel full of magic and memories!
Home away from home
As a guest, traveling to visit family or friends over the holidays can be truly special, but also requires some planning and packing to make the trip enjoyable. Be sure to pack comfortable seasonal attire – sweaters, warm socks, pajamas, and cozy layers. I try to include items that can be used for multiple outfits. Bring items to pamper yourself on the trip like a sleep mask, earplugs, blanket, slippers, and your favorite toiletries.
Chargers for devices are essential – bring a portable power bank to ensure your phone or tablet doesn’t run out of juice. Pack a natural sleep aid to help adjust to time zone changes. Bring books, downloaded movies, or small games for entertainment during travel downtime. If driving, pack an emergency roadside kit and phone mount for navigation. Holiday Travel does not have to be stressful.
As a host, you want to make guests feel comfortable and pampered. I like to leave a welcome basket in each guest room with water, snacks, and toiletries like shampoo, lotion, soap, and dental kits. Providing small amenities shows you’ve thought of everything to meet their needs. I also include cozy slippers and robes in their rooms, which they can take home after their stay. Chargers for popular devices like iPhones come in handy for guests as well.
To create a festive atmosphere, display holiday candles, warm throws, festive pillows, and themed decor. Evergreen garlands, poinsettias, and Christmas flowers spread seasonal cheer. Fill your home with the season’s smells by baking cookies or simmering mulling spices. Keep a drink cart well-stocked with crowd-pleasers like hot chocolate, eggnog, wassail, and festive cocktails. People doing the Holiday Travel will appreciate the creature comforts of home.
Holiday Stockings
As both guest and host, gifts and stockings are holiday staples. I always keep an eye out for small gift items throughout the year, grabbing great deals on candles, lotions, chocolates, cookies, gift cards, and other stocking stuffer items when I find them. Having these on hand makes holiday prep easier. For stockings, fill any gaps with fun mini items like candy, nuts, clementines, lip balm, socks, nail files, pens, and mini booze bottles. Even small household items like tape, batteries, and Band-Aids can make fun surprise gifts.
For memorable and easy holiday decor, look for reusable pieces that pack flat, like wreaths, garlands, table runners, and mini trees. Candles, greenery, ribbons, and pinecones add organic texture. For gifts, seek out small items that can be creatively bundled in cellophane, boxes, tins, or bags. The presentation of a gift can be just as exciting as what’s inside!
Hack for the Pets
Don’t forget the Pets for the Holiday Season. If you board them, a good thing to do is throw a dirty shirt into the boarding bag. This will have your sent and help ease any anxiety your pet has. If you are having a pet sitter coming in a neat little hack is to have them play a pre recorded message you make for your pet. Then when the sitter comes, it can be played when-ever the pet needs a little reassurance you will be back.
Of course if you are like me, you take your pets. The go bag has all the tastes of home. Extra things like a new toy or ball also make it, so the new destination has some excitement. Holiday Travel is stressful for our furbabies also.
Holiday Travel Hacks
With some advance planning, you can minimize holiday stress and craft a truly welcoming, festive atmosphere. Discover more of my time-tested tips and gift inspiration to help make this your most joyous, memorable holiday season yet!