As we roll into the holiday season, get ahead of the game with some travel tips, gift-giving ideas, and group activities to ensure a seamless and enjoyable season all around.
Travel Tips
Let’s start with basic travel tips that we know but sometimes forget. Plan ahead, make reservations early, and schedule your car well in advance regardless of your destination. Don’t forget to keep an eye on those Gridlock Alert Days starting November 20th. Allow extra time to get to Radio City for the Christmas Spectacular or to catch the Rockefeller Christmas Tree Lighting.
Stay prepared for shifting temperatures by dressing in layers and remember bulky is not best. Start with a good base layer, opt for a lightweight, well-insulated coat, and choose light/thin layers in between. Being weighed down can reduce mobility, cause overheating, and overall is a pain to lug around. Pack some snacks and water to keep you refreshed on the road. Another great travel tip as temperatures drop is to remember your heated gloves or hand warmers. Being cold is sure to make you uncomfortable and cut any outing short.
If you fly often the perks of having Clear, TSA PreCheck, and Global Entry are worth looking into.
Gift Give Like a Pro
Gift-giving can seem like a sport itself. Having a game plan, determining and focusing on the best gift for each recipient, and the anticipation of the recipient’s joy. In some families or friend circles, you have the competition of outgifting someone else.
For your travel aficionados, you simply can’t go wrong with quality noise-canceling headphones, a backup portable charger, or smart luggage. Additional ideas for your avid traveler are a Bluetooth sleep mask, a travel tech organizer, a NeoRythm, or Apollo Wearable.
Not sure what to gift a coworker or teacher? It’s helpful to know what to avoid and what may be well received. Candles, mugs, and scented items, if not to your recipient’s preference, can seem impersonal. Gift cards, which used to seem impersonal, are versatile, practical, and thoughtful. Personalize them for your recipient’s interests, a Teachers Pay Teachers gift card for educators, Amazon for a wide range of needs, or a local restaurant or experience-based service. The possibilities are endless with gifting experiences. From an escape room, cooking classes, or a flying lesson, you’re sure to find something for everyone.
Support your local small businesses throughout the holiday season for all your holiday shopping.
Group Activities
The holiday season is filled with groups of our families, friends, and even coworkers coming together. Enjoy some quality time with both classic and unique pastimes. Gravity Vault in Upper Saddle River ,NJ offers indoor rock climbing. iFly has multiple locations for you to try indoor skydiving. Although American Dream Mall in East Rutherford, NJ has multiple options it’s worth looking at Activate for an interactive game experience.
Don’t count out the classics either! Enjoy karaoke, bowling, and ice skating at Rockefeller Center or Van Saun Park (starting November 29th). You can load everyone in the car and drive through Skylands Stadium’s Christmas Light Show. Volunteering at your local food bank or organizing a toy drive is a great way to spend time together and give back. Check-in with local animal shelters as well to offer extra hands or round up donations.