Last Updated on December 8, 2023
As we head into the holiday season, you likely have travel plans this year. After all, we’ve spent the last two years locked down, and this year, we all feel that we can safely gather with friends and family to celebrate the season. With all that travel comes many lists of things we need to pack, things we need to buy, and more. But, another area that often gets overlooked is our travel essentials. And, let’s face it, there’s nothing worse than being stuck in the car for hours at a time or on a plane and realizing you forgot something important. So, without further ado, let’s get a quick refresher on what we need to pack this year for the road (or the sky).
Creature Comforts
Whether you’re in the car this year, train or plane, comfort is key. Thankfully, with the significant boom in loungewear these last couple of years, your options for comfortable clothes are virtually limitless. Plan ahead by wearing clothes that are not only stylish but comfortable as well. Don’t forget a comfy scarf (oversized even better as it can double as a blanket). Additionally, it’s never a bad idea to pack a neck pillow so you can fall asleep and not wake up with an awful kink in your neck. That way, you’ll be feeling and looking refreshed when you get to your destination. If you’re traveling with kiddos, don’t forget their comforts, too, like favorite blankets or stuffed animals. Thanks to th abundance of luggage storage Lisbon, you can always pack exactly what you need and not have to worry about it.
Travel gear
Another must-have is a quality suitcase. Any traveler needs a compact, convenient, lightweight hardshell suitcase to make travel easier and more comfortable both for air and road trips. The first thing you should pay attention to while choosing luggage is the material they are made of; whether it’s durable and temperature resistant, and whether it’s out of eco-friendly material or not. The next important thing is its weight and capacity. These are the features that provide a comfortable suitcase to travel with.
Healthy Snacks FTW
You know what it’s like, being stuck in a layover that’s several hours, and you’re starving. The problem is, the only options to satiate you are overprocessed junk food that not only makes you feel awful but makes you tired too – and traveling is exhausting enough! Make sure to pack healthy snack options for your travels. While you’re limited to easy snacks like hemp granola, trail mix or power bars on a plane, you have more options if traveling by car. If you’re going on a road trip, pack a small cooler with fresh-cut fruits and veggies, granola, and plenty of fresh water to keep you hydrated. That way, when you have to stop at a gas station, you’re not tempted by junk and convenience food. Save your sweet tooth for the homemade sweets you’ll be enjoying with friends and family when you get to where you’re headed.
Emergency Supplies
You never know when a crisis could arise – even though the chances are slim that it will. But, while you’re traveling it is comforting to have all your bases covered. Aside from phone chargers and potentially backup batteries, you want a couple of days’ supply of any medications you take on a daily basis. In addition to medications, it’s a good idea to have a small first aid kit on you no matter what form of travel you’re doing. You never know when you’ll need a band-aid or some aspirin. These also can come in handy on any outings you may be doing after you get to where you’re traveling to – hikes in the winter are beautiful, after all. So, make sure you’re prepared.
Playlists & Audiobooks
Lastly, it’s incredibly important to make sure that not only your kiddos but you stay entertained during what could be a long flight or an even more extended road trip. Make sure you’ve downloaded a few movies and games to their iPads or tablets since wifi could be spotty, and you don’t want to max out your data. And, some screen-free options for entertainment for them are a great idea as well. For yourself, if you can find the time, make some playlists that you know will relax you or put you in the holiday mood while you’re traveling. If you’d rather listen to some great podcasts, do that, or download some audiobooks, you can just zone out from the comfort of your seat. Either way, luck favors the prepared, and traveling can get boring, so come prepared!
Thankfully this year, we can get back out there and make memories with friends and family – which is what the holidays are all about. Just make sure that you ease some of the season’s stress and of traveling by checking all the boxes off this essentials list. Happy trails!
