Autumn is the beginning of the spike in travel the upcoming holidays bring. It is important for travelers (myself included) to coordinate with family, friends and whoever is your holiday “hang” to avoid pesky increases in cost due to disorganization on one’s part and supply and demand.

If you know you will travel by plane, train or automobile, be sure to start planning your trip now. I have a few personal tips that can make your holiday travels a piece of pumpkin pie!

1. Research to figure out the most economical course of action. You may be flying into a location only a couple hours from a major airport hub, so it may end up being cheaper to rent a car and drive those couple hours than fly directly or to that airport.
2. Check with your employer what the holiday time-off policy is. Some industries have blackout dates for PTO and you may hinder the productivity of your team by taking a day that is crucial for everyone to wrap things up so they can also enjoy their holiday, wherever they are going.
3. Pack for the conditions in your destination. This may seem obvious, but it also applies to knowing the dress code of the holiday dinner you’ll be attending. It might be casual at Grandma’s, so ditch the cocktail dress, but make sure you’re appropriately dressed at the fine-dining restaurant where your partner’s family dines annually.
4. It is a great idea to make a playlist for your journey; this is a ritual of mine (when I find time), and it can really set the tone for your trip! A crowd pleaser and calming favorite of mine is anything by John Coltrane.
5. People in stable and reliable situations forget the holidays can be tough for some people. Take time to reach out to connections in your life who might have a different situation around the holidays. A quick call could make all the difference in the world.
6. I cannot stress this enough … remember it is never a bad idea to go the extra mile and get a host gift. Present your host with a small token of appreciation; and if you do not know anything regarding the personal preferences of said host, keep it safe and simple — a nice candle, treat or bottle of wine. Don’t forget to send a thank you card.
7. Don’t forget to send a thank you card.
8. We all have work emergencies that require us to sometimes excuse ourselves from our present situation, but when you visit someone, put the phone away. Feel free to go and check it from time to time if necessary, but your attention should be on your fellow guests. This also allows you to enjoy the moment.
9. Take pictures of the moments you want to remember or take family portraits together. Life gets hectic and the opportunity to be together and have a tactile piece of that memory will remind you of this special time. The portrait will change year to year, people come and go. Cement these fleeting moments together with the ones that matter to you.
10. Let’s face it, the holidays can be exhausting. It is a good time to reset your clock for getting back to work by remembering to get a good night’s rest before you travel back home.
11. Set a task list to get back into the groove of things. Be sure to take off your away message, put the phone back on high volume ring and get ready to day dream about the delicious food and memories you made during your travels.

I hope these tips help you get organized as you prepare for the impending holiday season!

— Stephanie Makowski, account executive