The holidays are a busy time for everyone, but they can be especially hectic for mompreneurs. Between running a business and taking care of the family, thereβs hardly any time left for holiday shopping, let alone planning a vacation. But just because youβre short on time doesnβt mean you have to miss out on the fun. With a little creativity and these 13 simple holiday travel hacks, you can have a stress-free vacation that the whole family will enjoy.
Realistic Holiday Travel Hacks With Children
- Plan as much as possible. The most important holiday travel hack that I can share is to plan ahead as much as possibe. The more you can plan, the less stressful the trip will be. Make a list of all the things you need to do before you leave, and start checking items off the list as soon as possible. This will help ensure that everything gets done and that youβre not scrambling at the last minute.
- Make a packing list – and check it twice!
One of the most important things you can do before any trip is to make a packing list. This will help you keep track of everything you need to pack, and it will also help you stay organized once youβre on the road. I like to make a master packing list that I can use for all of our trips, and then Iβll add or remove items as needed depending on the destination and the season.
- Pack an Organizational Bag
This is a lifesaver! I like to pack a small bag or backpack with all of our travel documents, snacks, electronics, and anything else we might need during the trip. This way, everything is in one place and easy to grab when weβre on the go. I also like to label this bag with our names so that thereβs no confusion at security checkpoints or at the airport.
- Bring along some activities
To enjoy travelling with children, you can’t afford to skip this holiday travel hack. Kids can get bored easily, so itβs always a good idea to bring along some activities to keep them occupied during down times. I like to pack coloring books, puzzles, and small toys that can be easily packed up and carried with us. I also download some kid-friendly apps on their Amazon tablets so that they have something to do on long car rides or plane rides.
Holiday Travel Hack for Moms On a Budget
- Travel during off-peak times. Try to avoid traveling during peak times like Thanksgiving day and Christmas day. Not only will flights and hotels be more expensive, but also airports and highways will be packed with people. Itβs best to travel days before a holiday to save money and avoid some of the holiday crowds.
- Be flexible with your travel dates. If youβre not tied to specific dates, then be flexible with when you travel. For example, flying on Christmas Eve is usually cheaper than flying on Christmas Day because most people want to be home with their families on Christmas Day. By being flexible with your travel dates, you can often save money on flights and hotels.
- Use points and miles to book your travel arrangements. If you have accumulated points or miles from credit cards or loyalty programs, now is the time to use them. Not only is this a smart holiday travel hack but it’s also a great budget hack. You can often get free or discounted flights and hotel rooms by using your points or miles, which can save you a ton of money on your trip.
- Stay with friends or family instead of in a hotel. If you have friends or family who live in your destination city, see if theyβre available to host you during your stay. Staying with loved ones is not only free (or very cheap), but itβs also a great way to catch up with them while youβre in town. Plus, they might even give you some insider tips on where to go and what to see in their city!
- Take advantage of holiday sales. If you know youβll be needing some new clothes for your upcoming trip, take advantage of Black Friday or post-Christmas sales to stock up on affordable vacation wardrobe staples. You can often find great deals on clothing, shoes, and accessories on the days immediately following Christmas. If you are travelling for Christmas, lucky for you Black Friday deals are already going on so you can still get great deals on vacation outfits.Β
- Rent instead of buy. Vacation homes can be extremely expensive, especially if youβre traveling with a large group. A great way to save money is to look into renting vacation homes instead of buying them outright. There are many websites that specialize in vacation home rentals, so finding one that fits your needs should be relatively easy.Β
- Bring your own food. One of the biggest expenses while traveling is food. If youβre staying in a hotel, chances are good that thereβs a mini fridge in your room that you can use to store food. Alternatively, if youβre renting a vacation home, bring along non-perishable food items that can easily be prepared in your kitchen. This will help cut down on dining expenses while still allowing you to enjoy some delicious meals during your trip.Β
- Take public transportation. Another enormous expense while traveling is transportation costs. The 12th holiday travel hack is if possible, take advantage of public transportation options like buses, trains, and subways instead of hailing taxis or renting cars every time you need to get around town. Not only is public transportation usually cheaper than private transportation options, but itβs also a great way to see more of your destination city!Β
- Enjoy some free activities! Just because youβre on vacation doesnβt mean that everything has to cost money. There are often many free activities available in most cities, such as walking tours, museum visits, concerts in the park, etc. Do some research before your trip so that you can take advantage of some (or all!) of these free activities during your stay!Β
Traveling with kids can be a daunting task, but it doesnβt have to be! With a bit of planning and some helpful tips, you can make sure that your next family vacation is as smooth as possible. By following these 13 simple tips, mompreneurs can easily plan a stress-free vacation that the whole family will enjoy! From planning as much as possible to taking advantage of free activities in your destination city, there are plenty of ways to save time and money when planning your next trip. So what are you waiting for?
Tackling last-minute Christmas shopping? Check out myΒ
Gifts for Toddlers andΒ