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They say life is about the journey and not the destination, but unfortunately, the same can’t be said for traveling. Traveling is certainly not without its stresses, especially during the holidays when traffic, inclement weather and, of course, large crowds abound—more than 54 million Americans travelled at least 50 miles for Thanksgiving alone! But there’s good news; you can alleviate that anxiety by making sure you’re well-prepared.

Follow Garmany’s tips below to ensure the least stressful transit possible. Consider this our holiday gift to you!

Plan ahead
This means booking your flights, hotels or other accommodations as early in advance as possible, preferably not on peak travel days (like Christmas Eve, for instance). Also, plan ahead on the day of by printing out any necessary paperwork like boarding passes and leaving home at least an hour earlier than you typically would. Why start out your trip all rushed and frazzled?

Pack Light
Even if you’re traveling by car, you don’t want to use precious trunk space with unnecessary luggage. And if you’re flying, be sure to check your airline’s carry-on policy, because waiting at the baggage claim is just the worst. Pack versatile items that can be dressed up or dressed down. If you’re not sure where to start, a Garmany sales associate can help!

Prepare for the unexpected
But some things that you should pack plenty of? Snacks, games, books, portable chargers, headphones and anything else you and the family might need should you end up the victim of an extended traffic jam, a delayed or cancelled flight or a line that wraps around the block or terminal.

Stay connected
There’s no point in keeping your devices juiced if they’re not going to help you out in dire times. There’s an app for literally every travel situation these days, from real-time traffic apps to ones that organize your itinerary. Check out these best apps for travel, and make sure you’ve downloaded a solid handful of them before heading out on the road.

Ship your gifts
If you bring wrapped gifts on a plane, either TSA will make you open them before boarding or security personnel will open them themselves for inspection. So, either ship gifts directly from the retailers to the recipients, or buy small items that can fit in a suitcase. A Garmany gift card is also a safe bet!