How to sleigh away the stress of holiday family travel

Holiday family travel is almost a genre of its own, it goes far beyond just trying to save up for flights, train tickets, or even hotels, actually, both in real life and on the big screen. Just go ahead and take a look at Home Alone, where the McCallisters were so swept up in the chaos of jetting off to Paris that they literally forgot their kid at home (poor Kevin). 

But there’s even National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, where the Griswold proves that even staying home comes with its own brand of holiday mayhem (even though all they ever do is take road trips).

And while your travel plans may not involve leaving a kid behind or electrocuting a Christmas tree, the stress of holiday travel is very real. It hits a little too close to home every time a show, movie, or even a TikTok skit brings it up. So, between overstuffed airports, traffic that moves slower than molasses, and the inevitability of someone asking, “Are we there yet?” five minutes in, it can all feel like a recipe for disaster.

While it can feel terrible, and yeah, sometimes, things are out of your control. Not everything needs to be like that. So, here’s how to sleigh the holiday travel season with your family.

Don’t just follow the crowd

Holiday travel feels like everyone in the world decided to leave their house at the exact same time. But here’s the secret: you don’t have to go where everyone else is going. Sure, it sounds the easiest, right?

For example, are you all flying? Well, just check out smaller regional airports near your destination. Well, landing in a less busy airport might mean an extra 30-minute drive, but it’s worth skipping the stress of battling crowds in a major hub.

How about driving? Well, you can forget the interstate and take the scenic route! Not only will you skip the stop-and-go traffic, but you can also stumble upon some delightful roadside attractions. Who wouldn’t want a family photo next to the “World’s Largest Reindeer” or a detour to a small-town Christmas market? Just think of it this way; these detours aren’t just pit stops, they’re memory makers.

Don’t pack like a hoarder

Packing for a family trip during the holidays can feel like prepping for an Arctic expedition. If you have anyone under six, it just makes it so much worse, right? But hauling everything you own “just in case” is a fast track to chaos. So, here’s the trick: vacuum-sealed bags are your new BFF. They shrink bulky winter gear down to a fraction of the size, so you’ll still have room for souvenirs (and yes, we mean gifts and that irresistible airport Toblerone).

Also, if you’re flying, ship your gifts ahead of time. Just think about it; wrestling with a suitcase full of presents through TSA isn’t exactly the stuff holiday dreams are made of.

“Are we there yet?” can only be funny once

So, for young kids, what’s exactly the key to family travel bliss? Well, it’s distractions. It’s glorious, glorious distractions. For younger kids, you’ll need to think outside the tablet (they should have too much screen time). 

For example, window clings and magnets are portable, mess-free, and can keep them entertained for hours (or at least until your next stop). Usually, older kids are fine with listening to music and looking out the window (or playing their video games). But it helps if the parents kept entertained too of course.

If you’re in the passenger seat in the car, sure, that’s pretty easy. But even something like on a plane or train, there are usually far more options for entertainment. For example, you can play Solitaire (on your device or in the old-fashioned way), use trivia apps, watch a show or movie, or even play a video game if you have a handheld device. But of course, if you’re in a car, you can play holiday music, and that alone kind of helps sprinkle in some magic, right?

Holiday calories don’t count, right?

Are you dealing with airport food lines longer than Santa’s naughty list? How about gas station snacks that could probably double as science experiments? Yeah, no thanks. Instead, you could turn snack time into a family affair before you even leave. 

You just let everyone pick a few of their favorite treats, and pack a mix of sweet and savoury options. Just think homemade trail mix, sandwiches, and, because it’s the holidays, maybe some festive cookies.

Just try and survive the airport circus

Airports during the holidays are like a giant, stress-filled snow globe, but you can keep your cool. Well, hopefully, you can, now it just depends on where you’re traveling and what airport you’re at. So if you’re not flying out of JFK for example, then you might be able to beat the cramming of overcrowded waiting areas.

Most airports also have hidden gems like quiet rooms or kids’ play areas. They’re a great way to decompress before the boarding stampede. Also, you can skip the long restaurant lines by pre-ordering food through apps like Grab or AtYourGate. But it varies from airport (and city), so you might be able to “hack” your way at the airport, but maybe not either.

Delays don’t have to be the grinch

As unfortunate as it is, delays are almost as much of a holiday tradition as eggnog. But do they have to ruin your trip? Well, maybe not (it depends on how many transfers you have). So, depending on the situation, you might be able to make it fairly manageable.

For example, you just might be able to turn layovers into adventures by exploring the airport. Actually, many terminals now feature art exhibits, local history displays, or even seasonal pop-ups (the Cincinnati airport is the perfect example of this). 

When it comes to road trips, you map out a few unique stops ahead of time, like quirky museums or breathtaking overlooks. These mini-adventures turn downtime into cherished memories.

Be sure to plan your arrival

So, by the end of the journey, you’d think that the stress is all over, right? Well, arriving unprepared can turn into a whole new headache. Now before you leave, double-check with your accommodations about must-haves like cribs or extra blankets. If you’re staying with family, ask about space to unpack and unwind. There’s nothing worse than trying to settle in while dodging gift wrap and holiday chaos.

It might actually help to just go ahead and create a simple “arrival tradition” to signal the end of travel mode. Maybe it’s changing into pyjamas, sharing a holiday snack, or taking a quick family walk to stretch your legs. It’s a small way to reclaim calm after the hustle of the trip.

Rent baby gear instead of bringing it

Traveling with little ones already feels like moving an entire circus, and nothing amplifies that more than dragging a stroller, car seat, crib, and possibly even a high chair through airports or cramming it all into the car. Instead of turning yourself into a pack mule, try renting baby gear at your destination.

There’s a lot of companies out there and BabyQuip is a pretty nice example since they will deliver everything you need right to your hotel, Airbnb, or family’s house (but it needs to be domestic of course). 

Sure, it’s extra money, but just try and imagine arriving without the “Tetris game” of fitting everything into a rental car or the stress of a TSA agent trying to fold your stroller mid-security line while you hold a screaming toddler. TSA and babies are already nightmare-inducing, right? Well, rent what you need, and travel lighter. Your back (and your patience) will thank you.

Bring a roll of quarters

Okay, now this one’s old-school but genius. A roll of quarters may sound like something out of a bygone era, but it’s surprisingly useful. You have to keep in mind that the US is still cash-heavy outside of those major cities. 

They’re ideal for those many road trip stops, like vending machines at a closed gas station in the middle of the night, parking meters, and even some old-fashioned toll booths, yeah they all still operate on coins, and nothing feels worse than realizing you’re out of change when the kids are begging for a snack.

Track Santa’s route

If your journey falls on Christmas Eve, keeping the magic alive for the kids can be tricky, especially during travel chaos. But there are a few Christmas trackers online that you can look into for your kids.

Kids can follow Santa’s journey around the globe in real-time, complete with fun animations and updates. It keeps them entertained during long drives, layovers, or even boring stretches on the train. Plus, think of it this way; it’s a fantastic way to encourage them to go to bed when you finally arrive because Santa “won’t stop at houses where kids are awake.”

Use local Facebook groups for hidden gems

This one doesn’t get the love it deserves but local Facebook groups are goldmines for discovering off-the-beaten-path holiday activities. Just search for groups in your destination city, and you’ll often find posts about festive events, holiday markets, or even pop-up attractions that aren’t advertised elsewhere.

The editorial unit