15 TIPS TO SURVIVE THE VARIOUS NIGHTMARES OF HOLIDAY TRAVEL

Whoever said “It’s the journey, not the destination” probably never had to sit in bumper-to-bumper traffic for hours or next to a squirming toddler on a long flight ahead of a major holiday. The stress of traveling during the holidays is compounded by delays, family dramas, and myriad unforeseeable issues that could turn even the heartiest vacationers into the Grinch. I’ve complied a list of essentials, along with a few special luxury items, to make your journey tolerable until you reach your final destination. After that, I’m afraid you’re on your own with that one relative you don’t want to sit next to at dinner.

1. Bring the Right Bag. An overpacked and unorganized suitcase is no way to kick off a vaca. I love the shelves inside this “Carry-On Closet” from Solgaard. It also comes in larger sizes for longer trips, but you could just wheel this into a corner of your room and have everything you need at your fingertips.
   
   

2. Compartmentalize In the Right Way. Packing cubes are the best way to organize and maximize your packing space. But sometimes you also get the dreaded “suitcase smush” resulting in wrinkles and creases. These compression packing cubes by BEIS take care of that stylishly and come in an affordable set of four to make your dreams of the perfect packed suitcase come true.

3. Be TSA-Friendly. You don’t want to be that person surrendering a giant bottle of shampoo at Security, and you also don’t want to open your toiletry bag only to find everything’s spilled all over the place. This year, try a mess-free kit from MALIN+GOETZ that covers all the basics in neat little tubes that are so eye-catching and scent-tastic, they’ll make you want to stay extra vigilant with your routine.

4. Travel Light, Travel Bright. This one is a two-fer, because I’m a sucker for a pretty and functional accessory and decided we all deserve both. Vita Isola has a glittery gold passport holder that I wish I’d had to use when I saw Taylor Swift in Vancouver, Canada, for the final Eras Tour show. Crossing the border would have been extra sparkly! It also comes in silver, just saying.

And then there’s this leather iPhone case that comes in various colors. Good luck choosing just one!

5. Don’t Get Tangled Up. Have you ever tried to pack necklaces and ended up with a mess of chains you couldn’t unknot? This jewelry organizer from the aptly-named BAGSMART is here to help with that. It comes in a variety of colors and fabrics, and right now it’s a steal at just $15.99 at Amazon.

6. Know Before You Go. Thanks to modern technology, you have a multitude of resources available to you before you leave the comfort of your home. Every airline offers the flight status of every flight on their websites, so you can leave in plenty of time. You might not be able to avoid the lines at Security, but rushing at the last minute never served anyone. As my mom always says, it’s better to sit at the gate than to sit in traffic.

7. Quiet, Please! One of the greatest inventions in all of history has to be the noise-canceling earbuds. Shut out the annoying chatter of your fellow travelers on your flight and get some soul-restorting shut eye–or at least make it look like you are so everyone leaves you alone until you land (these also work well for backseat passengers annoyed by Dad’s constant travelogue or your uncle’s never-ending stories after the big dinner).

8. Don’t Lose It! The ultimate travel nightmare come true is watching other travelers grab their suitcases from the conveyor belt while your stuff is nowhere to be seen. Apple AirTags are a great way to make sure that you always know where your bag is, even if someone else accidentally takes it by mistake.

9. Stay Healthy! Traveling comes with all sorts of wellness routine-breaking issues, from what you eat to when you sleep, but you might not want to pack all of your vitamins and supplements. That’s why Natalie Ellis (BossBabe) and Lori Harder (Earn Your Happy and Girlfriends in Business) have teamed up to create the first ever skin routine you can drink, gloci. Their Skin and Gut Daily Supplement are packed with key ingredients including sea salt and coconut water, magnesium, vitamin C, prickly pear, and a probiotic that helps maintain a healthy gut microbiome, which you’ll need after all of those big meals!

10. Be A Good Guest. It’s been ingrained in me that you never show up at someone’s door empty-handed. A host gift is a way to show your gratitude as well as your appreciation for the free lodging at a time when hotel rooms are going at a major premium. Depending on your mode of transportation, you can go big when you go home, or you can find a smaller gift that fits in your carry-on. The point is to make sure that your host knows you were thinking of them before you even left the house.

11. Don’t Look Like a Tourist! If you’re spending time in a new city–or country–this holiday season, make sure you blend in. Gone are the days of wandering clueless with a huge map and giant backpack to make yourself an easy target. I love this Metro Crossbody Bag from Monos because it’s big enough to hold all of your essentials in a sleek and stylish way without looking like you bought it just for the trip. Achieving the detached supermodel “I know where everything is, thanks” look is all on you, however.

12. Adapt! If you’re traveling abroad, you need a universal power adapter for everything from charging your phone to blow-drying your hair. It’s also one of the things most international travelers forget to pack, so getting one now to save for all of your future trips just makes you an extra-savvy tripster!

13. Embrace Seasonal Silliness. Whether you’re rocking an Ugly Christmas Sweater or a pair of light-up reindeer horns, there are plenty of chances to add some humor to your tidings of comfort and joy! When it comes to an at-home celebration with the fam, I encourage the coordination of the silliest outfits you can find to make for a memorable family photo. Tipsy Elves, a brand embraced by the likes of Ryan Reynolds, Terry Crews, Paris Hilton, Sydney Sweeney, and Patrick & Brittany Mahomes, has a seemingly endless selection of silly sweaters and sleepwear, so conspire by the fire to get everyone tricked out together!

14. Get Your Rest. You might be in a different time zone, or just staying up later and doing more thanks to trying to keep up with the family activities. No one likes a cranky houseguest, so make sure you’re making an effort to get your usual 7-8 hours. Visiting with relatives you don’t see too often doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice your self-care, and everyone will understand it if you tell them you need a little time-out. I never go anywhere without a white noise app downloaded on my phone to drown out anything that might keep me from getting my beauty sleep. Travel-sized white noise machines are also available.

15. Leave It Better Than You Found It. All good things–or the things you tolerated because you’re a good sport–must come to an end. Aside from tidying up wherever you were bunking down, ask your host how you can help clean up. If you’re staying at a hotel, leave a tip and a nice note for Housekeeping. Showing gratitude, even in small ways, will give you a nice littler serotonin boost before you have to face the journey home.