I’ll be home for Christmas…if only in my dreams.
We all know the familiar holiday song and most of us probably have a pretty strong sense of place when it comes to celebrating the holidays. But if you’re an adventurous family or have lots of loved ones spread out across the country, then you might find yourself away from home at Christmas.
Our family is headed to an Airbnb (my affiliate link that earns you a $40 credit on your first stay) in the city this year to celebrate with family coming from several different places. Since it’s a rental, we won’t have all the comforts of home with us, but that doesn’t mean we can’t make Christmas very special.
If you find yourself traveling away from home at Christmas, there’s a few simple ways you can bring the Christmas spirit with you. Most don’t take up much space and are the perfect way to carry on special traditions even if you’re laying by the pool or exploring a new city.
How to Bring Christmas with You When You’re Traveling on Vacation
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1. Decorations
You’ll probably want a mini tree or something to represent a tree. Get creative and pack green cardstock or this felt cutout to make a tree on the wall. There’s also wooden tree folds flat and this wall decal is completely removable. There’s so many ways to do this without taking up much space. A strand of lights (battery-powered work well) and a simple garland can also really perk up a space and make it feel like Christmas.
2. Stockings
Don’t forget to pack your stockings. These take up little space and are a nice way to incorporate some familiarity to a new place. If you’re meeting up with other family members who might not have them, grab a few extras to bring along.
3. Download your favorite music
I love Spotify for compiling unique Christmas mixes of all my favorite songs. You can download music to your phone or computer. Music is such a great way to establish a mood and your favorite holiday tunes will help you feel at home. Don’t forget some speakers.
4. A tradition from home
Think through some of your favorite traditions and pick one or two to bring on the road. Our family loves to do a puzzle around Christmas time so we’re bringing one along this year. Maybe you watch a favorite movie or have a Christmas Eve treat. Whatever it is, see if you can bring along a part of it.
5. Special Ingredients for a Family Recipe
We all have special holiday recipes that we fix year after year. Don’t be afraid to bring some special ingredients if you know they might be hard to find at your new destination. Keep it simple and only pick one or two favorite foods so you don’t stress yourself out trying to make all.the.things!
6. A Camera
You’ll be making plenty of new memories so make sure you’ve got your camera handy. Document the experience and put together a special photo book or make some ornaments when you return. Your travels can become a treasured Christmas memory for years to come so don’t miss any great moments.
Related Post: 5 Big Travel Mistakes Parents Make
The Most Important Thing to Pack When Traveling Away from Home At Christmas
Your Sense of Adventure
Keep reminding yourself that this a new adventure and that things are bound to not go according to plan. Look for fun ways to embrace your getaway whether you try some local foods, plan an outing, or simply laugh about the unexpected parts of your holidays. An adventurous attitude will make sure you keep your Christmas spirit and fill this year with lasting memories.
List of Christmas Decorations to Pack While Traveling on Vacation
Want a list of Christmas decorations you can pack while traveling? Whether you’re flying or driving, space is at a premium so all of these ideas take up little room and are easy to pack in a suitcase. You may also be able to ship a box ahead to your destination. Many hotels can accept an Amazon delivery ahead of time if it’s clearly labeled with your name and date of arrival. Call ahead just to be sure before you hit send.
Battery-operated strand of lights
Disposable Christmas table setting
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Have you traveled for the holidays before? What would you pack in your suitcase for Christmas away from home? What’s the hardest part of about traveling for the holidays?
What a clever post! I’m so spoiled — my family leaves their warm weather homes and always travels to Kansas City to have Christmas with me, so I never even considered being away for the holiday. Merry Christmas!
Thank you! Hope your holidays are lovely as well!
I’d spend the holidays in a new place every year if I could, but my wife is the opposite of a travel fiend, so 99% of the time we stay home, but this post will help if I ever convince her otherwise
I can sympathize with your wife! It’s a lot of effort to travel at the holidays 🙂 Maybe a New Year’s celebration would be a good compromise?
What a great little list! I have heard there is a new trend of decorating pineapples as if they were Christmas trees. That could easily take the place of a small tree while you are away from home. Then, you could chop it up to eat as a yummy snack in the days following Christmas! Double-duty! Love your ideas to bring along stockings and a holiday puzzle!
I love the pineapple idea! Luckily we’re driving this year so I can fit a small tree but a pineapple ‘tree’ would be perfect for a tropical getaway 🙂
What a great post, thank you so much for sharing these tips! It’s not easy to get into a Christmas spirit while traveling, so I really love the idea of having a mini tree!