Holiday Survival Guide
Oh come all ye stressful
Carols are playing, the mulled cider is steeping and everyone who calls oozes holiday cheer. In the storybooks, someone strings popcorn on the freshly cut tree while mom pulls fresh baked gingerbread from the oven. While the Norman Rockwell image is charming, we're betting he didn't travel for the holidays. Or have enough odd family holiday rituals and quirky relatives to send nerves-a-twitching before stringing that popcorn...
Before you grinchify yourself and sign off Christmas completely this year, remember that surviving holiday travel is all about the simplifying.
Relative distance
Relative distancePeace, joy and hope. While they're about as guaranteed as
a white Christmas in Texas, the holidays can still be a magical time. This
might be the year everyone gets along or that you'll get to enjoy the meal you
created. Maybe it's about taking an extra half hour to snuggle with your kids
or your lover on Christmas morning.
We love to travel at GoGirlfriend and we don't profess to know all the tricks for surviving holiday travel. So we asked our friends on Facebook and Twitter for their holiday survival guide tips. Thankfully, we think we have tips to keep the Grinch from stealing Christmas. Read through our list and let us know where we can add to it!
Don't forget to take the corkscrew out of your purse & place in checked bag #lostmanyinairports
~ Amber Richards, @Amber_Richards
Pack as light as you can and mail gifts home from wherever you go, if possible.
~ Anthony Massucci, @HiAnthony
Pack lightlyEarplugs - for the family. I swear by the iPod,
seriously. iPad - it's expensive BUT games, books, movies, music all in one
device!
1. Arrive early 2. Check in online if possible (a lot of airlines have it now) 3. Stay hydrated w/H20.
Bring lots of water & a good book (or two). Talk to strangers, they can have interesting stories!
Lots of snacks, letting the small stuff slide and several bottles of good #wine ;-) Luckily, I only travel 2 mi
~ Brandie McCallum, @lttlewys
Print EVERYTHING. Don't rely on documents/addresses/info on your BB or iPad. They can fail. Have backup. Take the wine with you. You don't know if the stores will be open when you get there.:)
~ Kathy Buckworth, @KathyBuckworth
Board as soon as they let you (rather than staying seated and waiting). Need to ensure there's room for your carry-on! :)
~ @AntheaT
My holiday travel tip for @GoGirlfriend - Try out some apps on your smartphone before you go! They are organizational lifesavers!
~ Annie Tran, @_AnnieTran
Pack some of each clothes in each suitcase, in case one goes missing. Also take a change of clothes and bathing suit in carryon.
~ Denise Daly, @twodees57
Be accomodatingAlways add extra time to your travel schedule to be
prepared for unexpected delays - such as reservations with connecting flights. If
you are delayed & don't want to get bumped from your hotel room, call hotel
to ensure they hold your room no matter what!
If your flight is delayed & car rental type is now sold out demand a free upgrade - doesn't matter the car if you pay same rate!
If traveling by train & have a reservation but you're advised train full, be placed in business class for no additional charge.
If there is a safe in the room...USE IT
~ Terry Jones, @CruzTravelLady
Pack travel toys for your spouse as well as the kids... Be sure he/she has something to entertain him/herself with for in route entertainment.
Suggestions include: Puzzles, books and magazines, smart phones, portable video devices, portable video game devices - and most important: Don't forget your own travel toys.
~ Brandon Pierce, @BrandonPierce
No candy, or chocolate bars, kids get wired, and have the melt down on the plane, with no where for you to hide.
Did we hit all the important points? Got any holiday survival tips to share? Follow us on Twitter or like us on Facebook and let's start talking!
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