How to Plan a Hassle-Free Destination Christmas

The holiday season is easily considered the most stressful time of year for many people. It is also one of the most popular times for travelers to get away, decompress, visit family, and seek adventure and Christmas magic. Whatever your reason for a destination Christmas vacation and whether you’re traveling abroad or staying a bit closer to home, your best bet for having a smooth and joyful destination Christmas vacation is to plan ahead. Here are some easy tips on how to plan a hassle-free destination Christmas.

Since Christmastime is a popular time for travelers, reservations and support services tend to be booked early. First, if you require a pet sitter or house sitter, book them as soon as you have your travel dates locked. Many travelers have family members or friends who are willing to help out, but if that option isn’t available to you, there are many local businesses that offer these services.

However, before you hire someone into your home, whether they are self-employed or from a larger business, be sure to meet them beforehand and get to know them. You must feel comfortable leaving your pets and/or home with someone you trust and have met before. Also, be sure to lock up any belongings and precious items before you leave. These tips obviously work whether it’s Christmas or not.

If you have a doorbell camera or other type of home monitoring system, be sure it is in working order and if there are batteries, they are charged and ready to go.

Check and Recheck the Weather Forecast

Packing can be both an art form and a science. An important component of doing this successfully is keeping yourself updated on the weather forecast. Of course you cannot plan for sudden weather changes, but you can put yourself in the position to be better prepared.

Once you are informed of the most up-to-date weather for where you are traveling, I suggest packing one outfit that fits the opposite season, just in case. So if you expect warm temperatures, pack a sweater or light jacket just to be safe.

Weather has the potential to affect driving conditions and runway conditions, both causing delays in your travel plans. Have a weather app downloaded on your phone and check the status of your flight often.

Travel Off-Season

If you aren’t particularly comfortable with large groups of people, I suggest visiting less-frequented destinations. Or, at least consider traveling to those places during their off season. Christmastime can be tricky, because many travel during this time. If possible, plan a destination Christmas vacation to a more remote location, and visit those tourist hot spots such as a Disney resort or a popular beach during their off seasons.

The above is good general advice that applies to all types of traveling. But if you’re flying or driving, the following advice is specific to the type of destination Christmas you are planning:

If you’re planning to drive…

You can’t always guarantee you’ll have cell service, and therefore GPS service, so it’s always a good idea to have your driving directions printed or written out, and even have a map (old school, my friends!). If you’re leaving in the morning, get everything packed and ready to go the night before, including gassing up your vehicle(s).

For longer road trips, check the health of your tires and consider having them rotated if it has been a while. A new oil change can also definitely improve your gas mileage for your trip.

Depending on where you’re traveling, you may want to pack windshield (and lock) de-icer, and a high-quality windshield scraper. If you’re thinking you may encounter a snow storm, an emergency kit with water, food, a flashlight, and blankets packed away in the trunk is also a good idea.

If you’re flying…

If you are flying, I suggest choosing flights with early departure times. As difficult as it is to rise and shine and start your day early, you will have a greater chance of avoiding travel delays with early morning flights. Also, if it fits into your travel budget, choose nonstop flights. There is less chance your luggage (and gifts) could get mis-routed to another location.

Ideally, you’d want to pack everything you need in a carry on, but that is near impossible anymore, especially if you’re traveling with added Christmas necessities. With overhead compartment space being limited, your options become equally limited. Instead, pack a carry on that includes incidentals such as a change of clothes and toiletries (toothbrush, travel dry shampoo, 2 days worth of essential medication, and contact/eye wear care) should your luggage unfortunately become lost.

If you’re looking to trim extraneous costs for your trip, operate with flexible travel dates and times. Those with more flexibility in their travel plans are usually able to find more affordable airfare. Along the same lines, lodging is typically cheaper during the off-season and even during the week.

A popular question when planning a destination Christmas is what to do with the Christmas gifts? You have several options. Each option has its advantages and disadvantages, just choose an option that works best for you. First, you can ship the gifts to your destination in advance. Second, you can purchase them upon arrival. Third, you can opt to bring the gifts with you. In this case, consider placing the gifts in gift bags. Chances are security will check and unwrap any wrapped packages. A fourth option, depending on what your trip circumstances are, is to bring a subset of gifts but leave bulkier presents at home to be opened when you return.

Speaking of security, expect heightened security at all airports during the holidays, and even borders of countries if you’re traveling by car or train. Leave yourself enough time to make it through the several lines you’re bound to find yourself in.

Hopefully, you have found this information and advice helpful in planning your perfect destination Christmas holiday. While the holidays can be stressful, that doesn’t mean your vacation has to be. With a little intention and planning, your vacation can be full of Christmas memories without all the stress.

Looking for Christmas destinations in the States? Check out these American places with magical Christmas traditions.