Wowzer! Can you believe that Thanksgiving has already come and gone — now we’re moving on to our Christmas shopping and making our holiday travel plans. Where does the time go? I remember as a child opening up our gifts then packing up the car for a road trip to Grandma’s house. Mom and Dad had a checklist of things to do… I’m sure that the list varies for many of us, but here are seven things to keep in mind when Preparing for Holiday Travel.
I just returned from a lovely trip to Italy, so this checklist is fresh on my mind! We headed out of the country for two weeks and making sure we had our i’s dotted and our t’s crossed was extremely important. Before loading up your luggage, think about these few to-do’s:
1) Windows/Doors. While this might seem silly, check your doors and windows to be sure they are closed and locked. Recently we had company and I didn’t realize they had opened a couple of windows — they were first floor windows that were unlocked and not completely shut {gulp}. You just never know!
2) Thermostats and Water. With the holiday travel comes holiday temperatures. Even though the house may not have any residents for a few days (or weeks), be sure to set the thermostat to be prepared for appropriate temperatures. If there are any freezing temperatures in the forecast, consider leaving the faucets with a meager drip to ensure that no pipes burst.
A year or two ago, one of my friends learned the hard way that having one faucet dripping does not secure all the pipes throughout the house — and had two burst. It’s something to keep in mind.
3) Lights. Buy a couple of timers to set-up in your home so that at night it’s not sitting in complete darkness, letting everyone know you’re out of town. I love having lights on timers, regardless of travel. It’s just nice to know that if I’m not home at dusk, a couple of lights will be on for our fur babies. These timers come in handy for tree lights too! {wink wink}.
If you can set up a timer for your porch/garage lights as well, that is perfect. If not, decide whether you’d like to leave them on or off.
4) Mail. Don’t forget the mail. Will you have a neighbor grab it for you each day or put a hold on it through the USPS? If you’re expecting any boxes or packages, you might ask a neighbor to keep an eye out for them for you. The last thing you need is a pile of boxes sitting on your front porch — that might be a little obvious, huh? {giggle}
5) Plants. Do you have plants that need to be watered? If they’re small enough, you might ask a co-worker or neighbor to tend to them (in their home or office) while you’re away. Bigger plants you’ll need to make appropriate arrangements.
6) Pets. If you have a pet and need to find them a temporary home, be sure to plan accordingly. Local kennels and dog sitters calendars/schedules tend to fill up quickly around the holidays. Be sure to make the appropriate reservations and plans months in advance, when possible.
7) House-sitter. This might be your best solution! When having a house sitter stay at the house everything is taken care of for you — the mail, lights, plants, pets, thermostats, etc. I am extremely blessed to have my sister living here in St. Louis, so when the hubs and I have travel plans she is a blessing! I have so much peace of mind and touch base on occasion to ensure that there are no emergencies. If your budget permits, this truly is a wonderful option.
If this isn’t an option and you are a renter, you might consider notifying the office of your plans to be sure they have a couple of emergency contact numbers on file. From experience, I’ve learned the necessity of this.
I think that covers it, friends! Preparing for holiday travel can be so incredibly stressful, but having this basic checklist on hand can be a great resource. After it’s all said and done, you can enjoy your time away and know that you’ve taken care of business {hee-hee}. Happy travels!
What are some ways that you prepare for your holiday travels? Be sure to share with us here at ForRent.com.