Travel Tips for the Holidays

Am I the only one in shock that it’s November? The time has been flying recently. But, like it or not, the holidays are upon us! Which means a lot of travel, a lot of mingling, a lot of packing, a lot of money, and a lot of stress. But we are here to share some tips on how to make holiday travel less stressful. Thanks to everyone who shared tips with us on Instagram last night — you are the best!

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1. Plan ahead. Web sites like Expedia are great for scoring amazing deals on flights, hotels, and rental cars. Book flights on off-days, or travel during off times. I love to go early in the morning to beat the traffic and the long lines.
2. Dress comfortably. I am never that girl in heels and an “outfit” at the airport. Too many things could happen to risk being uncomfortable for extended periods of time. I have refined the art of the lazy, but put together travel outfit. Leather leggings are key, they don’t look athletic, they are real pants. These ones from Spanx are my favorites. A comfy cardigan or sweater is a necessity, I always tend toward the freezing side so something extra cozy, always does wonders. Another good tip we received was to wear a blanket scarf (we love this one for $29) — looks chic and doubles as a blanket on the plane; genius!  Thank god sneakers are trendy — and mine are on sale now! A chic carry on, always helps put the finishing touches on your outfit — mine is from Sole Society! Pack a real outfit in your carry on if you want to change after you land!
3. Pack ahead of time. Make lists for what you need to bring. Refer back to this post for our packing essentials.  Ship gifts unwrapped. Use packing cubes. There is nothing worse than running around your house 5 minutes before your Uber comes trying to pack your makeup, I know this from experience. I like to keep sheet masks, and eye patches in my carry-on.
4. Make the best of a road trip. Leave early. Use Waze — research fun places to stop along the way. Joe and I always stop at this fruit stand when we’re on our way to visit my family. It’s become a tradition, and we look forward to it now. Make a playlist or download some podcasts. I have been obsessed with podcasts for some time now — I don’t even remember the last time I listened to music in my car. These can make hours go by in a flash. Some of my favorites are: Being Boss, Pop Fashion, Straight up with Stassi, Lady Gang, and Bitch Sesh. If you are traveling with a male companion, try:  Modern Love, This American Life, Ted Radio Hour, or Lore.
5. Be prepared for delays. Non-electronic entertainment is key. Pack your chargers in your carry on (our favorites are Ventev), bring portables as backup. These are the books I’ll be reading this holiday season: Small Great Things by Jodi Picoult, Winter Storms by Elin Hilderbrand, Two by Two by Nicholas Sparks. Faithful by Alice Hoffman, Scrappy Little Nobody by Anna Kendrick, and because who doesn’t like a good thriller, The Trespasser by Tana French.
6. Bring snacks. Getting stuck in the airport with only fast food options is THE WORST. Not to mention you have to pay $12 for a banana. I always pack some snacks in my carry-on just in case. You know I love my RX Bars, dried fruit, and nuts are the easiest to travel with. Also, stay hydrated!
7. Stay calm. This one is the hardest for me to maintain, I flip out if my flight is even 20 minutes delayed. But, it’s out of your control — and if you follow all the tips above, you should be armed and ready for whatever wrench the travel gods throw into your plans.

Any tips I missed? Please leave them in the comments below!

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