With the holiday season approaching (hello, Thanksgiving!) and Christmas + Hanukkah in the near future, we become swamped with so many things, especially if there’s travel involved. Luckily, we’re here to highlight a few tips from our frequent traveler and Founder, Stefanie Nissen to help you ease the stress or staying organized this holiday season with our ultimate travel and packing guide.

Top 7 Holiday Travel and Packing Tips

1. Be careful not to overpack

Overpacking seems to be a common issue for travelers. Nearly a quarter of the average suitcase is left untouched when traveling. This is prime real estate during the holiday’s when we’re most likely traveling with gifts and thicker layers.

2. Know the weather

If you want to minimize a sudden purchase while on vacation (although sometimes not a bad thing ;)), make sure you check out the weather in advance so you can prepare and pack your suitcase accordingly. OR leave that to us.. when we style your travel wardrobe, we always check the weather and will style you with what you need!

3. Give gift cards as gifts

Who doesn’t love receiving a gift card? When gift cards are thoughtfully given, they can make wonderful gifts. One example might be a gift card to Birchbox given inside a makeup pouch.
Two bonuses here:
1) save SO much space in your luggage
2) take some of the pressure off of gift giving.

4. Be strategic with your outfits

The most unworn items in your suitcase end up being jackets, long-sleeved shirts and socks, followed by jeans, shoes, and sweatshirts. We suggest that you choose a color palette that allows you to easily mix & match your pieces to maximize the number of outfits you wear and minimize the need to bring duplicate items. Also, choose pieces that are versatile so you can re-wear during your trip.

5. Relax with the Calm App

Calm is the number 1 app for meditation and sleep. We especially love this app as it helps us take a deep breath and pause. The holidays can be the most stressful time of the year, but it doesn’t have to be! And if you’re someone who gets a bit of flight anxiety, this app has a ‘calming flight anxiety section’, which we recommend to download before you take off.

6. Travel Smarter

Take advantage of shortcuts. Airports offer Global Entry and TSA PreCheck. There is also Clear, but only at select airports. These tools are extremely helpful when it comes to saving time and alleviating stress, especially during holiday travel which can be the busiest of the year. Make sure to sign up now, because the process could take some time.

7. Book a trip with Trvl Porter!

Our renowned stylists do the outfit planning and packing for you so you can focus on all the holiday fun:

We curate a wardrobe based on your trip activities, style and fit preferences.
Rent amazing, weather appropriate looks with none of the retail guilt, which is especially perfect for our wallets this time of year.
Free up more space in your luggage (to bring gifts, then take some home)!

GET STARTED