Many of us are travelling this holiday season to random places we may or may not have been. These quicks are trip and shouldn’t take a lot of space or thoughts in what to pack. The key is to prepare. Prepare for the best and the worst. Here’s a simple process to help you through.
Check the Weather
One of the first things to do is check the weather. Look for a 7-day forecast to see what the weather will be like when you travel there. I’d also ask a local if you have one. Locals will give you the best tips.
Plan Your Outfits Based on Activities
Thanksgiving usually involves a lot of activities from travelling, great dinner, lounging around, and maybe outdoor fun like going on a hike. For those who do the Blackfriday Shopping, you’ll need something for that exercise of possibly travelling in the cold and then running around a warm store. If you’re planning to take a walk or play a game with gamily, bring clothes that allow movement.
One of our best tricks is to layer. A warm sweater or jacket can come in handy and you can always take them off.
Medication and Toiletries
Even if it’s a short trip, don’t forget your every day toiletries. These are your face cleaners. Your skin will not like you if your forget your Korean face care routine thing at night. Make sure that you adhere to the TSA rules for liquids. As of 2024 Thanksgiving, the rules have changed. Most of the rules were about medication and baby food. If you’re travelling to somewhere within the United States, I wouldn’t worry too much about these things because there’s always a store close by.
Phone & Chargers
Don’t forget your phone but more importantly, don’t forget the chargers. These are usually the times you might even want to consider bringing an external battery for a possible long trip.
Gifts & Host Essentials
If you’re visiting family or friends, don’t forget to bring a gift or something special as a thank-you for their hospitality and kindness. It doesn’t have to be something fancy. It can be a local item from your area like wine, honey, or even something handmade. For holiday events, serving platters are always weldome.
Snacks
Make sure to bring snacks for the journey. Sure they have snacks in the airport but why pay $7 for a bag of M&Ms when you can get one for $3 at your local gas station. On the snacks side of things, we like to travel with an empty water bottle to fill up at the airport and bring on the plane.
Entertainment and Comfort Items
Bring a book or video game to keep you entertained. If you’re travelling by plan or train, make sure to bring a neck pillow and blanket for extra comfort.
Miscellaneous
If and when needed, bring travel documents, identification, tickets, and reservations. I forgot to mention laptops or tablets but these come in handy for the long trips.
Remember, the key is to pack light and smart, so you can focus on spending quality time with your loved ones without the stress of overpacking. Safe travels and Happy Thanksgiving!