Oh, the hustle and bustle of Christmastime can make the idea of traveling to see loved ones feel overwhelming. There are gifts to consider, last-minute shopping, food that needs to travel, and let’s not forget to pack up the kids and the family dog. Where does an overworked, underappreciated Christmas connoisseur find the energy and talent to get the family to where they need to be for Christmas?
Let’s start with the basics. Christmas can already be overwhelming when you’re not leaving the house, but add traveling a distance, and now you’ve got three times the work ahead of you. The best plan is any plan that goes into effect early. Most people recommend starting travel preparations prior to Thanksgiving.
Holiday Shopping and Travel Tips
Holiday shopping is time-consuming and expensive. Stretching it out over a couple of months not only helps ease the sudden financial burden, but it can also assist with staying organized. If you shop online, most packages can be wrapped, boxed, and shipped directly to your destination, assuming you trust the recipient to resist the urge to peek. This can eliminate significant hassles, especially if your destination includes a flight.
Flights can be tricky with packages, especially with the ever-increasing security measures and airport regulations that change daily. It’s best to either send your packages ahead of time or have them shipped directly from the retailer to avoid any flying hassles that packaging may bring. If you can complete your holiday shopping at least a week ahead of time, you’ll rest easy knowing that all your packages will arrive before you, with ample time to spare.
Just a side note: When ordering and shipping from online stores, save every single receipt. I once ordered a video game two weeks before Christmas, and I’m still waiting for its arrival. I always make it a point to order from stores with local chains, so if I can’t get results from their online customer service, I can become persistent with a live person at the local store. Sometimes I opt not to do this out of principle, but I like knowing that the option is available.
If your travel plans take you out of the country, keep in mind that customs policies and shipping difficulties can delay the arrival of your packages by up to six or eight weeks. I once shipped something to Israel, and it arrived almost three months later. However, had I taken it into the country myself, customs would have delayed me for an extended period because of the packaging. If you’re leaving the country, plan to have your packages shipped as early as late August or early September. Amid the holiday rush, don’t forget to keep your documentation up to date and ensure your immunizations are correct and documented.
When traveling closer to home, packaging can be a bit more hands-on, provided there’s enough space in your vehicle. Depending on the size and number of Christmas gifts, simply taking them with you to your destination can be a reasonable option.
Driving during the holidays can be a challenge, testing both our road rage management and our patience with family members. A long car ride on Christmas Eve is often a recipe for cranky moods. Allow plenty of time to arrive at your destination, plan for numerous rest stops, and pack new and interesting games to keep the kids entertained while you creep through stop-and-go traffic. Sometimes, letting the kids open an extra Christmas present if traffic becomes unbearable can ease family tension along the way.
If you think you can handle it and have someone to share the driving, traveling overnight can eliminate traffic and child-related stress. Chances are, the kids will sleep through most of the trip, and you and your significant other can take turns behind the wheel. This works especially well for babies, who tend to get cranky on long car rides but lack the ability to entertain themselves.
Trains and buses offer alternatives that are likely more beneficial for singles or those without children. While trains allow children to get up and walk around during the trip, once their excitement wears off, it can be more taxing than driving. However, some children do very well on trains, and those who do often find the experience delightful.
Traveling during the Christmas holiday requires time, energy, planning, and a great deal of organization to avoid too many unexpected headaches. While the experience can be stressful, it’s also rewarding. Traveling allows families, scattered across the United States and Canada, to reunite and enjoy the feeling of togetherness once again. Most people who travel over the holidays find the experience worthwhile and believe that, with a little practice, they get better at it each year.