Elf Escapes: Jetsetting Adventures & Holiday Destinations

All the bags are packed, and everyone is ready to go. The excitement and anticipation of a much-needed vacation swirl in the air. Everyone loads into the car to make the much-too-early trip to the airport, leaving plenty of time for any traffic or security shenanigans that might come up.

As you pull out of the driveway, you run down your to-do list to ensure everything is taken care of. Lights off… check! Garbage out… check! Doors locked… check! Christmas Elf… wait a minute. You turn to peer out of the rear window and see, utilizing the whimsical magic of the Christmas season, that the Elf has somehow plopped itself in the front window to watch you slowly drive away without it. Even though it still wears that large, mischievous grin, you know its tiny little heart is breaking to pieces inside.

Your mind starts a panic-induced dance, contemplating all the creative reasons (excuses) why the Elf can’t travel with the family! The barrage of unanswered questions already beats at your conscience like a little drummer boy in the Christmas parade! The thought of tears being shed on Christmas morning because Santa doesn’t have the updated report on whether the kids have been good or bad up until the big day... Who wants to see waterfalls of tears during the holidays while their toes are in the sand, soaking up the sun in a tropical paradise?! Now, take a deep breath. Your paradise vacation is in good hands.

Regardless of where your travels take you and your family these next few months, your friends at Elfin Around have you covered! In this post, we’ll explore the different ways to alleviate travel stress, even providing a solution for the family’s festive friend to venture along as well!

Holiday travel, especially with an Elf in the mix, can be a logistical nightmare. At home, you’ve invested your hard-earned money into our stress-free and easy-to-use Elf Activity Kit. So far, it’s been an ice-cool cakewalk. Why shouldn’t your adventures away from home be the same during the Elfin season?

Enter—the Elfin Around Jetsetter!

Here at Elfin Around, we’ve come up with the ideal solution for your family Elf’s wandering woes! This magical and non-cumbersome little suitcase has everything your kiddos need to successfully transport it from home to wherever life takes you. Every Elfin Around Jetsetter suitcase comes standard with a carrying handle for easy lugging, an attachable bag tag to designate ownership, and even two sleeves of stickers to personalize it to their liking!

Popular Question: Won’t this be an issue going through security at an airport?

Answer: Absolutely not! The compact size of both the Elf and the Jetsetter lets it slide right through the scanning process without setting off any alarms or red flags. Quite the opposite, in fact. It only adds smiles and an extra dose of Christmas cheer to the wonderful security employees!

Travel Checklist

Holiday air travel can be hectic, but with a bit of preparation, you can make your journey smooth and stress-free. 

Here’s a quick checklist to help you ease through the holiday rush:

• Book Early and Confirm Your Details: Secure your flights well in advance and double-check all details, including seat selection and baggage policies. Consider direct flights to minimize delays and layovers.
• Pack Smart and Light: Avoid overpacking by creating a list of essentials. Use packing cubes to save space, and keep a change of clothes, snacks, and chargers in your carry-on. Adhere to TSA guidelines for liquids and prohibited items.
• Check-In Online: Most airlines allow online check-in 24-48 hours before departure. This will save you time at the airport and help you select better seats.
• Arrive Early and Be Prepared: Arrive at least two hours before domestic flights and three hours before international flights. Holiday crowds can mean longer lines at check-in, security, and boarding. One way to skip the check-in counter (if not traveling internationally) is by using a carry-on bag.
• Use Travel Apps and Alerts: Download your airline’s app for real-time updates on flight status, gate changes, and boarding alerts.
• Prepare for Security Checks: Wear slip-on shoes, limit metal accessories, and have your ID and boarding pass ready. Store laptops and liquids in easy-to-access compartments.
• Bring Comfort Essentials: Carry a travel pillow, noise-canceling headphones, and a reusable water bottle to stay hydrated and comfortable during the flight.
• Stay Healthy and Relaxed: Keep hand sanitizer, face masks, and wipes handy. Stay calm by listening to music, reading, or practicing breathing exercises.
• Research: Take the time to research smaller details to make your vacation smoother. Review websites, read reviews, and watch videos related to your specific trip.

5 Recommended Trips for Your Holiday Vacation

During the numerous 6,478-mile round-trip journeys between our hometown of Rockford, MI, and the North Pole, we’ve accumulated quite the list of locations that could be a great fit for your family! Below is a list of five locations that will make any Christmas even more magical!

DisneyWorld (Orlando, FL)

Naturally, being the (second) most magical place on Earth this would be on the list of holiday destinations. With Mickey and Minnie dashing through the streets spreading holiday cheer - you can’t go wrong. The decorations alone are worth the trip to the parks. There’s even a themed Christmas parade!

Colorado (United States)

For the more adventurous families, Colorado offers (roughly) 30 ski resorts to choose from! Some of these resorts are interconnected via brand and offer passes which give you access to multiple parks during a single time frame. That’s a lot of options to go dashing through the snow! Nature at its best, load up the skis for a road trip or bag-check the snowboard!

The North Pole! (In Alaska)

North Pole, Alaska would be towards the top of the adventurer’s list, especially if traveling from outside of the last frontier. However, for the family’s that like to tackle all the elements and whatever the frosty the snowman may throw at them - it could be worth the travel. Accessible via travel through Fairbanks, this small village in Alaska will not only warm your heart with the holiday cheer year round but will also give you bragging rights to friends and family that you’ve been to (the) North Pole!

European River Cruises

Whether you live in Europe or make the trip across the pond, a European river cruise could be well-worth the splurge, especially for the hardcore Christmas lovering your life. Europe boasts a number of rivers that give access to multiple cities and countries that take their Christmas celebrations to a whole other wondrous level with establishing Christmas villages and markets that would make even Mrs. Claus look twice. These river cruises are dedicated and planned around being able to see these amazing villages during the most wonderful time of the year. Be sure to dress warm!

Home

If a song says it.. it must have a good amount of truth to it, right? There’s no place like home for the holidays! Embrace the joy and wonder of the season right in your very own hometown. Christmas is the time of year where, no matter where you turn, there’s always some sort of joyous event or celebration going on! Instead of splurging on a getaway, focus on decking the hallways with an abundant amount of decorations and turn your household into the sort of winter wonderland that will bring a tear of joy to any Elf that may stop to admire it! Spread even more Christmas cheer by inviting friends and family over to just… be with the ones you love!

Travel during the holidays, with or without the Elf friend, can be as big or small of an undertaking as you’d like it to be. If things get frustrating or it begins to feel like the Grinch has a grip on the situation, take a deep breath because Christmas is, truly, the most wonderful time of year, and as long as you keep its spirit in your heart, you can never go wrong! Remember to always keep smiling and Elfin Around!