You’ve read plenty of how-to-get-by holiday guides, I’m sure, but you can’t be too prepared. Thanksgiving is certainly a wonderful holiday, filled with food and family. It can also be a time rife with stress, spats and sour apples—and not the kind in the pie. I hope to make your travels a little more bearable with these tips.
Master the Art of Getting There
First, let’s talk logistics. If you were hoping for peace and quiet during your pilgrimage, manage those expectations. AAA expects nearly 80 million travelers to hit the roads and skies this year. The busiest days? The Tuesday and Wednesday before Thanksgiving, and the Sunday and Monday after. In other words, you’ll have company—lots of it.
- Give Yourself a Generous Cushion
Leave early. No one regrets relaxing at the gate with a drink, but plenty regret watching boarding time tick away while stuck in traffic. Between parking hunts and security lines longer than your aunt’s text chains, build in extra time. Your future self—the one sipping a cocktail instead of sprinting to the gate—will thank you. - Pack Snacks Like Your Sanity Depends on It
Think of snacks as travel insurance, only tastier. A stash of granola bars or trail mix saves you from $8 airport chips and hangry meltdowns. And for the love of god, bring an empty reusable water bottle to fill once you’re through security. Just don’t touch the spout—your immune system deserves better. - Sail Through Security Like a Pro
Line envy is real. TSA PreCheck and CLEAR can make a 30-minute wait a 10-minute stroll. If you don’t have them, prep before you reach the bins: pockets empty, laptop ready. Not sure if that artisanal hot sauce will make it through? - Don’t Check a Bag (Unless You Must)
A carry-on is your golden ticket. You’ll dodge baggage claims and lost luggage chaos. If checking a bag is unavoidable, toss an AirTag or tracker inside so you know exactly where it wandered off to. - Be Extra Nice to Airport Staff
Your secret travel hack? Kindness. Gate agents and flight attendants see enough chaos for a lifetime. A genuine smile can go a long way—sometimes all the way to an upgrade.
Survive the Actual Holiday
You’ve made it. Now for the main event.
1. Pack Sneakers, Not Just Your Attitude
These aren’t just for working off that dark-meat turkey (where does the dark part come from, anyway?) and mashed potatoes, though that’s a nice benefit. Running and walking can help you shed the frustrations that come along with seemingly unending lines, flight delays, traffic and your Aunt Betty.
2. Weaponize Your Camera Roll
Those Instagrams can actually turn into old-fashioned 4×6 prints. Head to your local drugstore and print your memories from the past year. When the conversation inevitably turns to politics or your cousin’s questionable life choices, whip out the photos. Suddenly, you’re leading a wholesome scrapbooking session. It’s the perfect distraction, and you’ll look like a sentimental hero. Just maybe leave the photos from that one White Party at home. You know the ones.
3. Your Tablet is Your Sanctuary
What show have you been dying to get into? Load up your tablet, pack your headphones and enjoy while you’re in the airport, on the bus or avoiding dish duty at your parents’ house.
Pro tip: If you haven’t queued Boots on Netflix yet—stop everything. The brand-new queer-forward comedy set in Marine boot camp is exactly the sweet, sharp story you need. The story follows a young guy who joins the Marines and finds himself learning just as much about friendship, identity, and resilience as he does about drills and discipline. Think less “war movie,” more “coming-of-age with buzz cuts and emotional growth.” It’s sharp, funny, and full of heart — the perfect distraction while you’re waiting for your flight to board or your family to stop fighting over pie.
4. Get Literary (or Just Look Like It)
For the bookish gays among us, the same rule applies. Pack your e-reader with something that makes you look smart and mysterious. Need a recommendation? Seven Days in Tokyo by Jose Daniel Alvior is a swoony, jet-lagged romance that follows two men spending one unforgettable week in Japan’s neon-lit capital. It’s part love story, part travel fantasy, and entirely the kind of book that’ll make you want to book a flight the second you finish.
5. Play Tourist in Your Own Hometown
You may be traveling to your hometown, a place you once deemed unworthy of your big dreams and bigger boas. In the light of day (read: out of high school), you may find that it’s a great town. Maybe it’s even a great city, or near one. Plan to visit a couple of museums or take in a show. The hours can be tricky on a holiday weekend, but they’re still in business.
6. Pack a Little Courage (in a Bottle)
Let’s be honest: sometimes, the only way to survive is with a little liquid courage. Mini alcohol bottles are TSA-approved and perfectly travel-sized. I mean, don’t make a big deal about it, but they are permitted, according to my “research.” And I’m not saying you should get sloshed on the plane—let’s keep it classy—but a discreet little cocktail can take the edge off.
Pro Tip: Elevate your in-flight experience with Cocktail Kits 2 Go. It has everything you need to craft a top-shelf drink mid-flight. Suddenly, that middle seat doesn’t seem so bad. Or, go full mixologist and DIY your own espresso martini: grab a shot of espresso from the airport coffee shop, then add a mini bottle of vodka and a mini bottle of coffee liqueur before boarding. Voilà—caffeine, confidence, and chaos control, all in one cup. Cheers to survival.
7. When All Else Fails, Get a Hotel
Enough said. Seriously. It’s a small price to pay for your sanity. You get a clean room, a private bathroom, and a glorious escape hatch when you need some “me time.” No questions asked.
And if you still need a break after all that, well, it’s never too early to start planning your next real vacation. You’ve earned it.