Traveling Home for the Holidays

10 Tips to Ensure a Joyous Voyage

Oh those Holidays - INSIDE the house lie fresh baked pies and cookies. Yum! Gingerbread nestled in a beautiful cloth covered basket by the fireplace. Double yum! Plum pudding that would make even Little Jack Horner envious!

OUTSIDE, the leaves have fallen, the calm of summer and autumn replaced by the bitter winds of winter. It's tough leaving the sanctity of your nice warm home and hitting the holiday trail to Grandmother's house. Worse yet, a naughty Mother-In-Law's house. (Boy, wouldn't you hate to see what's in her stocking this year?)

Nonetheless, if you're stuck on the road this holiday season, perhaps the following ten tips will help make your trip a joyous one!

Please note that although it is the holiday season, it doesn't give us a permit to glut. We wanted to point this out since this article is packed with festive goodies that may temp you a bit more than you'd like to be. So, exercise caution - and you may want to just 'plain old' exercise a bit too! Now that's out of the way, let's head off to plan our joyous holiday adventure!

Tip #1
Bake some goodies to take along the way! Gingerbread keeps very well, as does homemade breads such as cranberry and pumpkin. Load a pretty basket with an array of your favorites, including a bit of jam for your bread. (Watch the rum cake if you're driving.)

If you don't have time to make the goodies, ask your kids to give it a try. If they aren't old enough, your local bakeries are sure to have some elegant holiday foods that will rival your homemade goodies!

While you're at it, toss some other goodies into your basket to enjoy along the way. You'll probably spend less money now than buying things at the convenience store along the way. You're guaranteed to pay five prices too high in some areas with limited retail.

Include some holiday flavored Jelly Beans, nuts (roast a few chestnuts to enjoy), small packs of chips and flavored spring water to wash it all down with.

This bring us to Tip #2.
Pack a couple of thermoses of coffee, tea or cocoa. Holiday flavors are available in your local markets such as Nutcracker Hazelnut and Peppermint Ice. Don't forget to include some holiday plasticware and napkins to capture your holiday spirit!

Tip #3
Take along a stack of Christmas CD's or tapes to stick into the player. It will help pass the time as well as instill you with the holiday spirit.

Tip #4
Before you set out, try to locate a Christmas songbook. This way you won't have to lip sing to the carols. It's extra nice having the words 'on page'!

Tip #5
Take time out from your journey. Somewhere, someone's written an official guide on exactly how many breaks one is suppose to take amid a long journey. Take a walk or drift on into Tip #6.

This is the time to poke into those little curiosity shops along the trail to Grandmother's. Check out those lingering Stuckey establishments, bearers of the famous pecan rolls. Cracker Barrels are exceptionally fascinating and their food is very yummy. Other fascinating haunts might include fudge shoppes, nut houses (avoid the human ones), knife shoppes, and antique shoppes. Pick up a few souvenirs while you're there!

Tip #7
If you get lucky enough to come across an ethnic bakery, by all means stop!! This can be an experience of a lifetime. There are so many goody items that you may not catch again. For instance, Christmas Stolen, brotchen, poppy seed roll, holiday scones, kuchen, fruitcakes (perfect for the naughty Mother-In-Law), unique cookies and tarts - so many treats!

Tip #8
Drop into a State Park or National Recreation Area along the way. Perhaps you'll be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of some migratory birds! Pelicans are an exceptional wonder!

Tip #9
Before leaving on your trip, study your atlas well. Know your route like the back of your hand. Call the state highway department(s) and inquire about road conditions and road construction. Know before you go! That way, you can plan an alternate route if necessary.

Tip #10
Absolutely NO fighting can be allowed along the journey. If someone gets in a cranky mood, then toughie T-bone.

Enjoy your trip and drive carefully!

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