My holiday plans are solidified. I’m going home to the Midwest to see my family for the first time in two years. Eeep! I’m pretty stoked. Since I left, my parents built a new house, so it’ll be like coming home to a completely different place. I’m also meeting my boyfriend’s family for the first time, and leaving New York for the longest period ever since I’ve moved here. (Full disclosure? I haven’t been behind the wheel of a car in two years. But next week, I’ll likely be driving again. Whoa!) The anticipation of travel is taking up my every thought—I’m counting down the hours.
So, since I’m here, or if you’re crafty, knit one here.
American Apparel high socks. I rave about these things. Seriously, I own about seven pairs in different colors. They’re perfect for layering over tights or under jeans—like the wrap sweater above, they add warmth without adding bulk. They come in fun colors, textures, and stripes. And I think they’re ideal for traveling in uncertain weather circumstances, because they take up hardly any space in your luggage and can easily be pulled on and off under a skirt. Buy your own here. No, I mean it. Buy like, three tins and keep it everywhere you might need it. Use liberally. Learn to love it.
Water bottle. Empty it out before you go through airport security. But staying hydrated is a great way to avoid holiday fatigue, hangovers, and (maybe?) jet lag. I use a repurposed San Pellegrino bottle, but I’m secretly lusting after these Sigg bottles.
Arm warmers or convertible gloves. If you have managed to learn to unzip a tote, button up a sweater, uncap and recap a pen, and dial on your cell phone while wearing gloves or mittens, I salute you, and I beg you to write me an email teaching me about your success in this capacity. For the rest of us, get some of these. Here’s a pretty military-inspired pair from Urban, or if you’re crafty, I like these.
The Corrections This is hands-down one of the top five books I’ve ever read. It makes for excellent holiday reading in particular, because no matter how dysfunctional your family is, the family in this book probably has you beat in some capacity. Reading about their holiday prep makes me wish I were a more ardent celebrator of Christmas.
Sunglasses and scarves. Gala has covered this extensively, but it goes without saying that if you’re traveling and want to avoid looking disheveled, throw on a scarf over your hair. It covers up the two-day-old shampoo and the bedhead that might result from passing out on a friend’s couch after too much eggnog.
A few thank-you notes. Packing host/hostess gifts can prove to be a challenge—how do you take a pie or a bottle of wine on an airplane, especially if your suitcase is already stuffed? A thank-you note, however, takes up virtually no space in your bag, takes about ten minutes to write out, and will leave an awesome impression on the people that you’re moved in on for a week.
What do you guys never travel without? Do you think I’m forgetting anything?
Related posts:
- You’re My Travel Agent
