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The holidays are right around the corner—which means gift shopping, festive gatherings, and for many of us, travel. Whether you’re heading home, jetting off for a winter getaway, or braving crowded airports with kids in tow, one thing is certain: staying organized can make your trip smoother, easier, and a whole lot less stressful.
Here are the must-have travel essentials that help keep everything neat, tidy, and exactly where you need it during the busiest travel season of the year.
Start with a High-Quality Suitcase
A great trip begins with a reliable suitcase. Look for one that offers:
- Hard-shell protection to keep your belongings safe
- 360° spinner wheels for easy maneuvering in crowded airports
- Expandable compartments for gifts, souvenirs, and inevitable holiday extras
- Thoughtful interior pockets to streamline packing
Investing in a high-quality suitcase means you’ll spend less time wrestling with jammed zippers or tipping luggage and more time enjoying your holiday travels.
My suitcase of choice is the Away suitcase:
For a budget friendly suitcase, check out this option:
BONUS: A travel backpack has been key in staying organized and optimizing space when travelling! My favorite is shown below:
Use Suitcase Organizers to Maximize Space
Packing cubes and suitcase organizers are game-changers. These small fabric cubes let you group your clothing by type—tops, bottoms, sleepwear, or even by outfit—while compressing the air out to maximize space.
Benefits include:
- Less wrinkling than tossing clothes
- Faster unpacking at your destination
- Easy access to exactly what you need
- No messy piles of clothes
Once you use these, you’ll never go back to just stuffing your suitcase.
I bought the below pack from Amazon for my trip to Japan and regret not buying sooner! it came with a cosmetics bag, shoe bag and laundry bag on top of the packing cubes!
Manage Your Tech: Portable Charger + Cord Organization
When you’re traveling during the holidays, your devices are essential — and keeping them powered and tangle-free is a top priority. That’s where a portable charger (power bank) paired with smart cord organization really comes in handy.
Why bring a portable charger?
- It ensures your phone, tablet, or other device stays alive through long flights, layovers, or holiday photo sessions.
- It can double as a lifeline if outlets are scarce or inconvenient.
How to pair it with cord organization:
- Pack a power bank with enough capacity — Aim for a model with at least 10,000 mAh so you can charge your phone multiple times.
- Use a compact cord organizer — Choose one with elastic loops, mesh pockets, or zip compartments to neatly stow:
- USB charging cables
- Wall adapter
- Headphones or earbuds
- A charging block
- Any other small tech accessories
- Designate a travel-tech pouch — Keep your power bank and cords all together in a small pouch or dedicated section of your carry-on. This way, when you need to charge, you don’t have to dig through your bag.
- Label or color-code cables — If you’re traveling with kids or multiple devices, using small tags or color-coded ties helps you pick the right charger quickly.
Additional tip: Consider a power bank that supports pass-through charging, meaning you can charge the power bank itself while also charging another device. That’s especially useful when your layover gives you limited outlet access.
Stock Up on Mini Travel Necessities
Small but mighty, mini travel items are the unsung heroes of a stress-free holiday trip. Some top picks to stash in your personal item or easily accessible pouch include:
- Sanitizing wipes – ideal for airplane trays, hotel remotes, and rental cars
- Shout wipes or stain pens – because holiday meals can be messy
- Mini first-aid kit – bandages, ibuprofen, and blister pads
- Travel-size hand lotion & lip balm – winter air plus airplanes = dryness
- Mini deodorant or fragrance mist – for freshening up on long travel days
- Travel tissues – because someone always catches a sniffle this time of year
And don’t forget to keep a cord organizer in this pouch to make sure your personal item remains uncluttered and everything is at arm’s reach.
Why Organization Matters Even More During Holiday Travel
Let’s be honest: holiday travel is not the most relaxing time of year. Airports are crowded, weather delays are common, and you’re often juggling gifts, winter gear, and tight schedules. Being organized helps you:
- Get through security faster
- Access essentials without rummaging
- Reduce stress when unexpected delays hit
- Pack and repack without chaos
- Feel more in control from departure to arrival
When everything has a place — from your power bank and cords to your sanitizing wipes and clothing — even busy travel days feel smoother.
Final Thoughts
The holidays should feel joyful—not jumbled. With the right suitcase, smart organizers, a reliable portable charger + cord setup, and a stash of mini travel essentials, you can move through airports, road trips, and hotel stays with confidence and ease.
So as you prepare for the upcoming travel season, give yourself the gift of organization. Your future self — standing in a long security line or shuffling through a packed car — will thank you.
Safe travels and happy holidays! 
Today | Not One Day 
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