Christmas is the most magical of celebrations. The holiday transforms a period of short days and chilly weather into a time of warmth, generosity and renewal.   

Looking back, 2009 has been a very eventful year for Broad Horizons. You'll recall that in the spring we became part of the Uniglobe Instant Travel family. 

As their women's specialty division we have a dedicated Broad Horizons team working out of the London, Ontario office.

If you've got an action-packed Christmas in mind, you're in for some fun, provided you've done some planning. Most people can plan a wonderful holiday, but they often leave out one important factor to consider -- Christmas travel.

Whether you've got 50 miles to travel or a long journey ahead of you, your trip can make or break your mood. Anticipate the pitfalls and be prepared if you travel over the holidays. These Christmas tips are for car travel and will get you off on a safe holiday trip.

Plan for Delays

Don't wait until the last minute to pack, load the car, or leave. There are many unexpected things that can take you off-schedule, so be prepared. Carsickness, bathroom breaks and road construction are all things that can cause stressful delays. It's best to leave early. You may arrive ahead of schedule, but you'll be on time or not near as late if you're delayed.

Take Necessities

Anticipate any problems that may arise and take along a small tote bag packed with a map (or GPS), watch, Tylenol, tissues, moist wipes or hand sanitizer, munchies, bottled water, paper, pen, lip balm etc.

A cell phone (and phone numbers) is convenient to contact family members and it can be a life-saver in case of emergencies.

Keep Children Occupied

Depending on the age of your children or grandchildren, plan for boredom, impatience and sometimes, fights. There are many activities available specifically for travelling with kids. Invest in some simple games and reading material. Consider splurging on a portable DVD player and some movies to make time pass quickly.

Remember, when children are filled with anticipation for the holidays, time seems to sit still for them. Make it easier on them by playing some traditional car games like counting red vehicles or out-of-province license plates.

Maintain Your Vehicle

The single most important plan for safe Christmas travel is to have your vehicle in tip-top shape. Prior to your trip, take it in for a tune up. Have the oil and transmission fluid checked and make sure your washer fluid is full. Check the radiator for anti freeze and water levels.

Ensure that your tires have proper air pressure and don't forget to check the spare tire. Consider taking along a small, portable air compressor and a can of "Fix-A-Flat."

Pack a small toolbox with the basics and remember to take along a flashlight for night-time mishaps. You should also have some extra gloves and blankets in the trunk if you're planning to travel in cold temperatures.

Lighten Your Load

Last but not least; you may want to make arrangements to have your gifts shipped ahead of time. While this is an extra expense, you can avoid the last minute hassles of dealing with packages. This is especially important if you are flying or travelling by train.
 
Have a safe and stress-free holiday!

 

 

Susan Pearson

Broad Horizons, Founder