Danielle Jeanjaquet
When the holidays arrive, it’s time to prep for a busy travel season. And you need these 10 holiday travel essentials for your next trip!
For some, travel is the most stressful part of the holidays. The airports and roads are packed with people off to visit their family, friends, and loved ones.
Flight delays, traffic jams, and not-so-jolly strangers can make the season feel a little suffocated.
But don’t be stressed about what to pack in your carry-on! These items will not only ease your next flight or road trip, but will help you get into the Christmas spirit, too.
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Let’s jump into one of our first holiday travel essentials:
#1. Hand sanitizer (holiday-scented, of course!)
Unfortunately, the holiday season and flu season go hand in hand. So, make sure you’re stocked with this holiday travel essential: some form of sanitizer. Airports can be common places to catch a cold, and I’d hate for you to spend your Christmas sick in bed!
I’m a big fan of the Bath & Body Works PocketBac hand sanitizers – they’re the perfect size for travel! BBW has amazing holiday scents – my current favorite is Frosted Cranberry.
And, usually you can get a good deal on a bundle of them, so everyone in the family can have their own.
Also, I like to carry a pack of Wet Ones Hand Wipes on holiday trips. These wipes have conditioning aloe, so they’ll kill germs without drying out your skin!
And when flying, they are perfect for wiping down your seat and tray table on the plane. Or, dealing with the aftermath of a holiday snack.
#2. Portable cell phone charger
For long travel days or flights, a portable phone charger is definitely on my list of holiday travel essentials. The last thing you want is to be anxious about your phone dying in the middle of a long flight or drive.
Check out this snazzy iWALK portable charger that can charge your iPhone and your Apple Watch. At the same time! #efficient
#3. A holiday book to read!
There’s something so serene about reading a book while traveling home for the holidays. Finally, your brain can focus on something other than work or school! Take this chance to read (or listen to!) some books that have been on your list for a while.
Need some book suggestions? Here are a couple holiday-themed reads:
Hidden Christmas | Timothy Keller
Hidden Christmas is a book you can read over again every December. It’s helped me set my mind and heart on the true meaning of Christmas. And, it sheds light on the Nativity in ways you might not expect.
Even if you aren’t a Christian, I highly recommend checking out this book for some enlightening background on the history of Christmas.
The Twelve Topsy-Turvy, Very Messy Days of Christmas | James Patterson + Tad Safran
Did you know that James Patterson wrote a holiday novel? Well, surprise! A new book in 2022, people are praising this novel as a Christmas instant-classic alongside the likes of A Christmas Carol. If you’re looking for a new, warm-hearted family story to enjoy over the holidays, this is a great option!
If you’re interested in my longer holiday reading list, then comment down below!
#4. Packing cubes
Listen, packing for winter weather is no joke. You can only fit so many sweaters and scarves in your carry-on.
These OlarHike Packing Cubes are great for organization and traveling with bulky items. I also like using packing cubes to separate my outdoor wear from my other clothing. And, this set comes in a variety of cute colors!
If you’re really struggling to fit your bulky winter clothes in your suitcase, you might need these Space Saver Vacuum Storage Bags. It comes with a hand pump for travel, and there’s also an option to purchase an electric pump if you’re a lazy packer like me.
If you’re flying with your ski or snow gear, then add this to your packing list of holiday travel essentials!
#5. A jolly holiday music playlist
I often forget to download music playlists for the plane, so consider this your reminder!! (And don’t forget your headphones, either). Here are some great Spotify playlists for your holiday vacation:
ALMOST CHRISTMAS | Playlist on Spotify
This playlist includes some classic hits and some refreshing new tunes to get you into the Christmas spirit!
Christmas Chill | Playlist on Spotify
I made this playlist to help me relax and recharge during the holidays. And it’s great for flights, especially when you want to take a nap!
#6. Comfortable sweatshirt
When you’re traveling for the holidays, you of course want to be comfortable. And when flying, wearing layers is the way to go. You never know if your plane is going to be too cold or too hot (let’s be real – the temp is never just right).
This Fuzzy Hoodie from Amazon is a great layering item, and this wine red color is perfect for the holidays:
#7. Face/hand lotion
Let’s not forget skincare during the holidays! Cold weather and long travel days can do some damage. So I carry a travel-size of Cetaphil’s Moisturing Lotion with me to moisturize and protect my skin.
For my hands (and patchy elbows, LOL), I also like to pack a Bath & Body Works travel-sized lotion in my carry-on. Again, they have the best holiday scents!
A Thousand Wishes has become one of my holiday-staple scents, but I think you could enjoy it all year-round.
If you’re flying or driving later at night, you can also bring some face wipes, and then top off your skin with some lotion to act as a protective barrier from the hours of travel.
And I’m telling you, these individually-wrapped single wipes by Neutrogena are a game-changer for travel skincare!
#8. Slip-on shoes
Have you ever worn lace-up, bulky boots to the airport during the winter? Trust me, I had regrets when going through airport security.
It’s so much easier to travel with shoes that you can easily slip on and off, whether going through airport security or riding in the car.
Even in the winter, I find myself wanting travel shoes that are light and breathable, and these Adidas slip-on sneakers are just the thing!
#9. Reusable water bottle (holiday edition)
A water bottle is one of my top travel essentials for every vacation. I always make sure have one packed in my backpack!
(If you’re flying for the holidays, don’t forget to empty your water bottle before going through security.)
And, why not buy a cute Christmas bottle that you can re-use every December? Check out this Swig Life Insulated Water Bottle. They have all the holiday patterns you could ask for!
This water bottle from Amazon is leak proof, cup-holder friendly, and super insulated. Perfect for travel.
#10. Lip balm/chapstick
My lips always get so chapped on airplanes, and the wintry weather doesn’t help. But I have my chapstick ready to combat the cold. And, I love to pack a tinted lip balm during holiday travel to give my lips some color!
For the holiday season, I like this CoverGirl Clean Fresh Tinted Lip Balm in the color Cherry-Ish You.
Of course, if you’re not a fan of the tinted balm, you can’t go wrong with these clear lip balms from Burt’s Bees. And, they are holiday-scented!! Of course!
And that’s all for my holiday travel essentials!
What do you pack in your carry-on for holiday travel? What are those holiday travel essentials that you can’t live without? Share in the comments below!
Looking for fun vacation ideas for the holiday season? Check out these blogs next:
- Christmas at Dollywood: Ultimate Guide for First-Timers!
- The 5 Best Southeast Travel Destinations for Winter
Happy Travels, and Happy Holidays!
Danielle xx
