Are you traveling this holiday season? Traveling can be stress free if you plan ahead! Find a space in your home, where you can lay out the suitcases ahead of time and have your check-list beside it. Each time you put an item in the case, you can mark it off on the list. If taking children, get them involved. They can do the same. This will relieve a huge amount of stress. Now get started……Here are 5 tips to making your holiday travel stress-free!
1. Packing made easy:
Roll your clothes! Here’s how… Lay clothes flat, face down. Then fold back sleeves and roll from the bottom. Do the same for pants, socks and underwear. Your delicates can be rolled in tissue paper.
Tip: Use pieces of cardboard as dividers. It helps keeps your clothes neat and organized.
2. Don’t over-pack:
Even checked luggage that might be opened for security checks are much harder to repack, if they open it. Make a list of what you need for each day so that you only pack the necessary. Do not lock your luggage, unless it’s a TSA approved lock.
Tip: Make sure all your luggage is labeled – inside and out!
3. Identification & Credit Cards:
Scan your passports, passport photos, paper tickets, credit card info and phone numbers. Store this in an email or in a Google Doc in the cloud or your web based email account. This way if you lose the originals or they get stolen, you have immediate access to your important info.
Tip: If you are traveling with children but without your child/children’s other parent, make sure you have the necessary documentation that says you are allowed to take the children out of the country.
4. Traveling with children:
Consider getting children carry-ons luggage that they can not only pull, but that holds their clothing/stuff. Each paying customer is allowed one carry-on. You are allowed one personal item as well, so a small knapsack with books, snacks and activities for the flight would be a great idea. Do not pack any liquids in their carry-ons however (juice box, liquid crafts, etc.,) as they will be confiscated at the security check-in.
Tip: This will get them involved and help teach your kids about traveling.
5. Airport & Flight Info:
Know your airline’s 1-800 number, your flight number and flying times. Call and check your departure time several times before you leave home. Plan to arrive early, as you might be fighting bad weather or traffic and you will face line-ups at the airport during this time of year.
Tip: Keep your cool. Airline employees have considerable power over your well-being, so just be patient and don’t take any delays out on them.
Time management is important. You will not only make the most of your time, but you will see that being organized with these few tips, will have a distinct advantage when traveling. If you find you are short on time, consider getting help! A personal concierge can help with travel arrangements, house sitting and/0r pet sitting while you are gone, running errands etc., all meant to decrease your stress load especially at this time of year.
Share your favourite traveling tips with my readers and me. I love feedback! And, don’t forget to leave a link back to your own blog if you have one via the commentluv feature here on the site.
Happy Holidays and enjoy your well deserved vacations!
Kathy
