“Oh there’s no place like home for the holidays!” From all of us at WCV, we want to wish you a very happy holiday season. The holiday season brings us gifts, delicious food, family gatherings, and sometimes, it brings us some stress. Whether you are traveling a good distance to see family or trying to figure out that perfect present, you are bound to experience some tension this time of year. Take a glance at our tips to have a smooth holiday into the New Year!
- Research
- Research your destination if your family is jetting off somewhere new to spend Christmas or ring in the New Year. By researching the ins and outs of your destination, you can easily make your way around. You can also get some insider opinions on where the best restaurants are or where to take shortcuts to avoid traffic.
- Pack light
- If you are traveling for only a few days, try not to bring everything you own. Check the weather before you leave so you pack exactly what you need. Packing light also gives you some wiggle room to purchase souvenirs.
- Travel early or late in the day
- If you have a lengthy trip to your destination, travel on off-peak times and days. Leave yourself enough time for traffic and weather delays. If your airport is normally busy, you will want to leave yourself extra time to get through security so you do not miss your flight.
- Be courteous
- When things do not go as planned or a wrench is thrown into your travel arrangements, try to remain calm and think of alternative solutions. Getting angry and yelling at airport, department store, or restaurant staff can put a damper on your holiday break. If you are respectful and understanding toward others, you may get something in return. Allow them to do their job and they will help you get to where you need to be.
- Be prepared
- Whether it's packing extra food or bottled water for your drive or an extra set of clothes in your carry-on, you should always be prepared during your travels. Travel with cash just in case you are not able to use credit or debit cards and always carry your identification with you. There are some things along the way that you might not be able to control, but being prepared for unexpected bumps can help your stress level decrease.
