Helpful Tips for Traveling with Family at the Holidays

Entry #325, November 8, 2010

As you start making your travel plans for the holidays, do you have tips that you have learned over the years, when traveling with family? I find that those who plan now, will have less problems later when you get to the stressful days before you leave. Here are helpful tips that I gave last year.. from the Stagetecture archives…

Original Entry #11, November 15, 2009

Let’s get your family ready!

Each Thanksgiving families, friends, and even strangers gather around the dinner table for “THE MEAL”,

It is the most talked about, labor intensive, and sometimes over-planned meal of the year.  Although, for all of it’s negatives, we all still love it. Whether it’s childhood memories, or it’s new ones. Thanksgiving still remains the highest traveled time of the year to visit, for this all-important time of the year. Here are some tips to help you prepare, and help you spend more quality time with those you love.

Take some stress out of the meal

Holiday travel:

• Arrival/Departure: The Wednesday before Thanksgiving, and the Sunday after are the busiest travel days of the year. If possible, try and avoid these days, and arrive/depart from your destination a few days earlier or later.
• Book Early: While waiting to the week before to catch great travel prices is usually a good approach, this may not be the best strategy for Thanksgiving. Since it is the busiest travel day, book early to get the best prices, and to avoid sudden price hikes.
• Children:When traveling with children, surprise them on the trip with new activity books, crossword puzzles, crayons, etc… the excitement of something new will keep them entertained longer, and help direct the nervous anticipation of “are we there yet?”
• Luggage:Try and use colorful luggage, tags, etc.. so it’s easier identifiable at the baggage claim. If you have to have a typical brown or black piece of luggage, put some colorful holiday ribbon around the handle!
• Extra Clothes:Be prepared for delays or layover’s. When traveling during November, be prepared for delays caused by weather, air traffic, mechanical checks, etc… Have at least one change of clothes for each member of your family in your carry-on luggage.
• Gifts: If possible, mail gifts prior to traveling. This will save room in your bag, as well as ensure that Uncle Harry receives his gift in one piece, before you arrive.
• Traveling by Car:Have all oil changes, car tune-ups, etc.. before the week of Thanksgiving. This week will naturally have car shops busy, and you want to avoid if possible.
• Maps/Directions:Whether you use the internet, or you use your local travel agency, ensure you have maps and directions to your destination. Even if you’ve traveled the route before, road construction, accidents, etc.. can cause a detour. Even for GPS users, it can never hurt to have a back-up to your “trusty” location gadget.

Don’t forget to stop the mail

• Mail: Have your mail and newspaper temporarily stopped. You want your home to appear “business as usual” while you’re away.
• Relax and Enjoy:Isn’t this why you do this!?

For more family vacation ideas on Stagetecture, click here.