Traveling for Christmas? Pack A Go-Bag of Decorations

It’s not Christmas without a tree, wreath or garland. Live greenery has been a key part of Christmas for centuries. It brings nature indoors at the height of winter as a reminder the cold will end, and the trees and flowers will return. 

Since you’re traveling, go with artificial trees and wreaths. They’re more portable and practical for a Christmas decoration go-bag. Get pre-lit trees so you don’t have to pack the lights separately. Hang garlands on the banister of your condo or on the mantel of your cabin’s fireplace. Put a wreath on the wall of your hotel or hang it over a sconce and you’ve got holiday cheer faster than you can say fa-la-la-la-la.

The fastest way to make a hotel room, condo or RV feel like a home for the holidays is to add Christmas lights and candles. Lights are portable, easy to pack and easy to put up. Just hang and plug them in for instant Christmas twinkle. Keep it safe with candles and choose the flameless variety. You get all the glow without a fire hazard.

You’ve got a tree, you’ve got lights. Now bring the extras that add a warm layer of Christmas cheer to a space: tabletop décor, extras for the tree and outdoor décor. These accessories make a rented space feel like home. Think nutcrackers, animal figurines, ceramic or resin tabletop items, or even outdoor décor if you’re in a cabin, condo or beach house with a porch, balcony or yard with room for adding some portable Christmas cheer. 

Make your home away from home cozy and Christmas-y by layering in textures, patterns and scents. Bring blankets for snuggling, holiday-themed tea towels to Christmas-up the kitchenette, throw pillows for the sofa or bed and a diffuser to scent the air with essential oils like peppermint, cedarwood and juniper berry so your hotel room smells like Christmas.

Decorating a tree with delicate ornaments when you’re away from home isn’t practical. That’s why you opted for a packable, pre-lit tree that works like instant décor, no ornaments required. But Christmas away from home doesn’t have to be Christmas without ornaments. Bring oversized, non-breakable options you can hang from light fixtures or small, shatterproof ornaments to display in a decorative bowl or basket. They’ll put sparkle in your space, fast.

Christmas trees and wreaths aren’t the only way to bring the outdoors inside during the Christmas season. Flowers are a big part of Christmas, too. Pack vases and artificial flowers so you can create an arrangement. Bring along an artificial poinsettia or holly plant to liven up your space.