10 Winter Break Travel Essentials

Even though most of us would go through some crazy things to get home to our families for the holidays, traveling doesn’t have to be crazy! Keep yourself comfy and content with these essentials.

Photo courtesy of yours truly. I tried.*

1. A great bag

You’re going to need something to carry these important items. I always look for something with a sturdy zipper across the top, at least one outside pocket (preferably one that has some sort of closure), and a few pockets inside, and in a neutral color, so that I can carry it around during my trip and look coordinated. I’d like to be able to tell you that you could go to American Eagle, where I got this bag, and purchase one just like it for yourself…but this bag has been in my possession since my freshman year of high school, a.k.a. 2010. 

2. Water bottle with a filter

Staying hydrated is always important, but especially so when you’re going home to live on eggnog and cranberry mimosas for three weeks. A bottle with a built-in filter will let you fill up anywhere, and all that water will keep your skin hydrated and protected against the winter weather. This one is Brita brand from Target, and it comes in several cute patterns. 

3. Chapstick/lip tint

If you’ve ever been on even a short flight, you know that the recycled air in airplane cabins is crazy dry (and gross). Keep your lips ready for lots of laughs and maybe some kisses under the mistletoe with your favorite lip balm. I got this one from Target. It’s the eos brand “blackberry nectar” flavor. Very pastel and Instagrammable. 

4. Headphones

I was wary of including this because it seems so obvious, but you don’t know how valuable those little earbuds are until you settle into your seat on the plane or in the car and realize you left your headphones on your dresser, where you wouldn’t forget them. Omg. I’m lame, so these came with my iPhone, nothing fancy here.

5. Portable charger

If you’re planning a long flight with One Direction’s new album as background music or you’ve been appointed as your vehicle’s “travel manager” (a.k.a., you’re running the GPS), your phone’s battery is going to be dying at an alarming rate. You can juice up these portable chargers, most of which are about the size of a tube of lipstick, before leaving for break and they will give you enough power for one or two full charges on your trip home. This one is an Amazon purchase.

6. Sleep mask

When you’re traveling, you rarely have any control over lighting in your environment. If you’re trying to keep your sleep schedule intact, you can use a mask to catch some shut-eye–no matter how much the lady beside you on the plane turns up her iPad’s brightness. Mine came with a set of plaid pajamas from Victoria’s Secret. Pro-tip: Wipe your mascara off before you wear a mask, or you’ll wake up looking like Jenny Humphrey in her “I’m going to run away from home and make dresses” phase. Don’t ask how I know. 

7. A good read

If you can’t sleep or you’re tired of staring at a screen, an old-fashioned book is always the way to go. I like taking funny, self-help type books with me when I travel, but everyone’s definition of a “good read” is different! My current read is “Why Not Me?” by Mindy Kaling. 30% off sticker courtesy of UNCW’s bookstore.

8. Fuzzy socks

When I travel, I almost always wear shoes that are easy to slip on and off so that I can get super comfy as soon as we’re in motion. That being said, my toes get cold, and being straight-up barefoot in public is a little nasty, so I always bring along a good pair of fuzzy socks. I got the ones pictured as a free gift from PINK with a recent purchase. Bless them. They don’t actually sell these since they were just part of a promotion, but here’s a link to their super cute other kinds of socks anyway. 

9. Tiny perfume

Whether you’re traveling in a car and the group decides to stop for greasy fast food or your neighbor on the plane decided a shower wasn’t essential this morning, you’ll probably encounter something stinky in your travels (if you’re on a particularly long trip, it might be you…but hey, it happens). Keep a small rollerball perfume in your bag to freshen up your surroundings. I got this one as a gift, but I know that it came from Sephora. Daisy, by Marc Jacobs.

10. Big sunglasses

Let’s face it, whether you’re hopping off a plane in NYC or driving into a sleepy island town in the OBX, big sunglasses make you feel very “fashionable celebrity arriving at her winter vacation home.” Sunglasses also allow you to shamelessly covet the cute Vera Bradley tote that the girl next to you is carrying. I bought these from Walmart about 4 years ago, and I have no idea what magical entity has allowed me to keep up with them for this long, but I appreciate it.

*Note: I have no idea how bloggers manage to take photos of junk laid out on their beds and make it look chic. I did what I could…The lighting in my bedroom is so tragic. Have mercy.

• travel
• winter
• winter break