What's In My Bag - Holiday Travel Edition

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This is sponsored content written by me in partnership with Depend^®. All opinions are my own.

Holiday travel can be brutal. It can be stressful. But in all honesty, it can be incredibly fun too. Today, let’s prepare for the good and the bad with “What’s In My Bag – Holiday Travel Edition”.

For me, there are two types of holiday travel – visits to see family and holiday vacations.

This isn’t to say that a visit to see extended family can’t be incredibly fun, but I don’t consider it a vacation. Let’s face it, families are full of interesting dynamics. Though I wouldn’t miss a great family get-together for anything in the world, it does come with a bit of added stress, something I want to avoid on a vacation.

Whether you are heading off to see the in-laws or getting ready to set sail on a magical holiday cruise (which we did last Thanksgiving), you’ll want to pack a great travel bag, full of all the essentials to get you to your destination.

What’s In My Bag – Holiday Travel Edition

Large Handbag/Tote – While searching through a large unorganized handbag can sometimes be a disaster (especially when you are in a hurry), I never travel without it. Having one so large allows me extra space for anything I might need to have easy access to – neck pillow, a last minute snack from the airport stand, etc. Just don’t forget to pack a smaller crossbody type handbag for the rest of your trip if needed.

Passport/ID – *LAW CHANGE* Don’t forget that starting in mid-January 2018, the Department of Homeland Security will no longer accept state-issued IDs from many U.S. states. This will change the way you need to think about air travel. You might want to grab that passport!

Phone

Extra Battery/Chargers

Credit Cards – Do not travel without at least one, preferably two, just in case a card is flagged for suspicious activity out of the country, etc. I have had an experience where credit card use in an airport was flagged due to the location. Not helpful at all to a traveler.

Cash – For same reasons above. You don’t want to be without cash when you travel, just in case credit is limited.

Sunglasses

Lip Balm – While flying certainly by itself can make skin and lips extra dry, in winter it’s just that much more necessary to carry lip balm. You’ll want it in the air, on the road, or on water.

Moisturizer – For same reasons above, you especially want this in the air.

Hand Lotion – Ditto

Eye Drops – Ditto

Neck Pillow – I went years without one and just recently made the jump after watching my husband snore on the airplane. Now, I’m not a fan of snoring, but as one who has never been able to catch many zzzz’s on a plane, I thought it might be nice. I LOVE it and recently tested it out on a long-distance flight to Kauai. It’s always in my bag now.

Baby Aspirin – As someone in her 40s, I never leave home without chewable baby aspirin. You never know when you or a loved one might have chest pains or heart attack symptoms. Baby aspirin – a must! And make sure it’s chewable so you don’t need water in an emergency situation.

Pain Medicine – Let’s face it, pain isn’t fun even when you are in the best of places, like the comfort of your own home. Whether you are a guest in a house, or traveling to and from, it’s best to be prepared.

Prescription Medicine (or anything you can’t do without) – Do not pack these in your checked baggage if traveling by air. Flights can be delayed, even overnight, and you might not have access to luggage. Always put it in a carryon, but more specifically a handbag, since carryon luggage can be gate-checked if they are running out of room in overhead bins.

Nail File

Tweezers

Water Bottle – A must once you are past airport security. Either bring an empty refillable bottle or purchase bottled water, though always pricey, at the airport. Why? There are times when flight attendants are not allowed to get up and service the cabin due to turbulence. If you need to take said pain medicine, or get a catch in your throat, you’ll want that water nearby.

Snacks

Headphones

Cardigan/Lightweight Jacket

Small Journal/Pen

Hand Sanitizer

Feminine Hygiene Products – just in case as you never know when an unexpected situation might occur. The “unexpected” part can become more of an issue the older we get.

Depend® products – This is one product that I have learned to appreciate. I mean REALLY appreciate and because of that you will find it on my must-have list for holiday travel!

When you think about holiday travel, what comes to mind? I imagine long lines at the airport, looming crowds, and traffic jams on freeways.

Those things can be stressful, but that stress can double if you are like me and are one of the four American’s that experience bladder leakage.

Does that statistic shock you?

FACT: Nearly 65 million Americans experience bladder leakage., you need a product you can depend on, like the Depend® FIT-FLEX® underwear.

That statistic doesn’t shock me anymore, now that I find myself in that category ever since becoming a mother. It’s one of those “becoming a mom” side effects I don’t really enjoy, but I have learned to live with it. Thank goodness for Depend®.

Breaking the Stigma

It’s time to break the stigma attached to a leaking bladder. We aren’t all elderly. It’s very common, but not everyone feels comfortable talking about it. But for this mom, who has found herself talking to strangers about getting a mammogram or a colonoscopy because of our family history, it’s not that uncomfortable to talk about.

Depend® has made my life incredibly easier at times. And that’s the thing, it’s not something I deal with all the time, but when I do, I need a product I can trust.

When do I need Depend®?

It varies.

Depend® has saved me when I wanted to jump on the trampoline with my daughter (yes, it is true, that some of us can’t even do that without leaking a bit). Ask me how I know!

Depend® has stopped the never-ending laundry when I had the flu this past winter. I suffered from asthma during the bout of flu and couldn’t stop coughing. With every cough, guess what happened. For almost a month.

Depend® can be incredibly helpful for those who might not be able to make it to the restroom in time while traveling – whether on an airplane, in line waiting to get through security, or stuck in a car between rest areas.

What Depend® products are there?

New, improved Depend® Silhouette® Active Fit® Briefs

This is perfect for someone on the go, living a busy or an adventurous life – it has a signature feminine style for an ultra-smooth, sleek fit under your clothes.

LOOK FOR: Specially marked packages of Depend® Silhouette® Active Fit® Briefs will include two additional pairs through the end of the year. Packages note “2 Free.”

Depend® FIT-FLEX® Underwear

This has fastest absorbing material inside for dry, comfortable protection. Featuring all-around leg elastics and a smooth, close-to-body fit, this slip-on bladder leakage protection is soft, quiet and breathable for outstanding comfort.

LOOK FOR: Specially marked packages of Depend® FIT-FLEX® Underwear will include two additional pairs through the end of the year. Packages note “+2 Free.”

So to prepare for holiday travel this year, I’ve found a deal for you!

COUPON: Depend® $2.00 off coupon

For more information about incontinence, Depend® products and for product coupons, please visit: http://bit.ly/2xO7yfD and follow Depend® on: Depend.com, Facebook.com/Depend, Youtube.com/ kc10dependchannel and Pinterest.com/dependbrand.

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Depend®. The opinions and text are all mine.