Travels with Holiday Gifts

If you’re traveling by plane this holiday season, whether you’re visiting family or are planning a cozy, relaxing getaway, chances are you’ll be returning home with more than you packed for the journey itself.

Here are a couple of tips to keep in mind in order to make your travels easier:

* Either pack an extra duffel bag or plan to purchase one at your destination so that you can carry gifts and souvenirs home.

* For delicate items, pack them well within your clothes in a sturdy piece of luggage or carry them in a carry on bag.

* Plan on spending a half day boxing up gifts that you’ve received or souvenirs purchased at your destination and shipping them home. DHL, UPS and Fed Ex have international locations if you don’t feel confident about a country’s postal service.

* If you’re purchasing expensive items and having them shipped home by the shop where you made your purchase, be sure to pay by credit card and keep your receipt. You’ll then have recourse through your credit card company if the item arrives broken or doesn’t show up at home.

* As always, travel light so that you don’t have to worry about lugging your bags through the airport or fighting for space in the overhead compartment.

Happy Travels!