Holiday travel can be a stressful endeavor because it’s a lot to prepare for in a short amount of time. This year Christmas falls on Monday + Tuesday, therefore providing most of us with a 4-day weekend. So within this window of time, many of us will be packing in anticipation of dressing for both casual + semi-formal evenings.

Given my experience traveling back & forth for quick trips and needing to pack with intention (i.e. blog photo shoots), here are some of the ways to pack for a short holiday weekend that won’t have you feeling under prepared & having to run to the closest mall for a last minute ensemble.

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MAP OUT THE HOLIDAY AGENDA: FROM PARTIES TO THE WEATHER FORECAST

Before you even open your suitcase to start packing, find out exactly what your holiday weekend is looking like in terms of parties or events. That will help you determine exactly what kind of outfits you’ll need to prepare for, as well as give you an idea of dress code atmosphere. 

For me, Christmas Eve calls for a cocktail dress of an occasion while Christmas Day is more along the lines of smart casual in a sweater dress. So I’ll make sure to pack one of each for those 2 days specifically, along with compatible footwear & accessories for each outfit.

You should also check the weather forecast before you pack your looks, especially if you’re traveling someplace new for the holiday. Even if you’re returning to your hometown, you’ll be miserable if a last minute snow storm arises & you’re struggling through the snow in flats because you didn’t pack your boots.

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LIST OUT YOUR INTENDED OUTFITS

This is something I do on the reg as an influencer because it helps me to remember exactly what to pack for a blog shoot. Having a written list ensures that I won’t forget any single thing that needs to be worn in the shot (from lip color to jewelry.) When you write out each outfit, you then can pack accordingly & feel less overwhelmed by having set options to choose from once at your destination.

Preparing & listing your outfits out will also help you determine which clothing can be repeated in several looks. This list will also come in handy to refer to if you find yourself rushing to get dressed & ready on Christmas Eve or Day.

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PACK CLOTHING THAT CAN BE DRESSED UP OR DOWN

I’m someone who likes to have an assortment of versatile clothing options packed just in case one of my holiday plans takes a turn or if a specific dress code is set last minute. So I make sure to pack neutral-colored pieces that can easily be intended for quick outfit changes or as general weekend wear.

In this case, I’ll pack a small assortment of neutral & fitted long sleeves or sweaters, 2 pairs of jeans (regular wash & black), 1 pair of black ankle booties, 1 pair of flats, 1 belt, and a small variety of earrings & necklaces that can be an added boost to a basic ensemble. I’ll wear my heavier clothing & winter accessories on travel days in order to save space inside my suitcase or duffle bag. 

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WHAT ARE SOME OF THE WAYS YOU PACK FOR A HOLIDAY WEEKEND OR QUICK TRIP AWAY?

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Coat: H&M (old, similar here) | Leggings: Commando | Sneakers: Gucci | Beanie: Amazon | Carry-On Luggage: Andiamo