Are you braving the holiday travel rush this year? Good for you! We know it’s hectic but we also know that the look on your loved ones’ faces when you walk through the door is one that won’t likely soon be forgotten. And, with a bit of planning, getting to and through the airport can actually go quite well. If you’re a nightmare packer, we can help. First and foremost, you need to consider what you need to bring with you on the plane to make your travel go as smoothly as possible. Of course, in doing so, you also need to remember the rules for what you can carry-on! Read on for tips on carry-on essentials for your holiday travels. Hint: That to-go container of eggnog isn’t going to fly, both literally and figuratively.
Carry On Your Valuables
If you’ve ever seen the way those guys who throw your luggage on the plane handle the goods, you know it’s best to have anything you value on your person or in your carry-on bag. This is particularly true if you’ve brought anything expensive, like valuable jewelry, gadgets, and more. While it might seem completely impossible, bags have been lost at the airport—never to be recovered again. Another sad reality is items have been stolen from luggage as well. Don’t risk it—put your valuables in your carry-on bag so you can rest easy when on the plane. A Bloody Mary wouldn’t hurt either. You may also consider placing a Trakdot tracker on your luggage to save yourself the heartache of searching endlessly for a lost bag.
Tote Your Toiletries
If you’ve ever had a flight canceled and ended up in a hotel room with nothing but your purse and a pack of gum, you know this is helpful. This is a fairly common occurrence so; even if you don’t bring your entire toiletry bag, make sure to bring the bare minimum. Some deodorant, a toothbrush, and a small soap would definitely help. Always remember to take your skin care items on the plane with you; the dry air in the cabin and long hours can wreak havoc on your skin, plus the stress of a canceled flight is already enough to cause a breakout. Look for skin care products that provide moisturizing benefits to help counteract the excessive dryness and flaking caused by long hours spent in dry air. Keep in mind while you’re packing to abide by the TSA rules for liquids, as it’s certainly a drag to have to throw a bunch of stuff away when you’re in the security line.
Banish Boredom
If you’ve ever watched Home Alone, you know that traveling during the holidays is one crazy adventure. And of course this is a movie but let’s face it—it’s not that far off when it comes to the chaos of holiday travel. Unless you’re nickname is Polly Preparation, chances are you’ll be running behind for your flight. Between packing the presents and ensuring you’ve got the proper clothes and more for the whole fam, running late for a flight is often a harsh reality of traveling during the holidays. Because of this, you might not have the time to stop at a gift shop to pick up reading material, so make sure you pack magazines, books, and your laptop in your carry-on bag. Godspeed if you’re traveling with children, as that adds a whole other layer of complexity, and you want to make sure they are not prone to boredom. From video games and online movies to plenty of snacks and age-appropriate reading materials, kid carry-on items are often the most crucial of all.
Extra Clothing and Comfy Items
Remember that part about things getting stolen and flights getting canceled? Yeah, things can go wrong when you travel. It’s just a part of life. It’s best to be prepared with an extra outfit or two just in case, and even more so if you’re traveling with an infant! Make sure you’re comfortable, too, especially if it’s a long flight. Consider bringing a pillow, a neck pillow, and/or a fuzzy blanket that is great to use to fall asleep. The best flight is one you’ve slept through, so anything you can do to promote an extra-long session of ZZzzz’s is great when it comes to carry-on items. Check out this futuristic neck pillow from FaceCradle.
Follow these tips for your carry-on essentials for your holiday travels and you’ll be ho-ho-home sweet home soon enough.
‘Essential’ that is kind of a non specific word when it comes to travel my wife always takes 5 times the required amount of underwear, I have never figured out why