(BPT) - You've managed to navigate the holiday crowds at the post office, the mall and the office party, but you still need to get over the river and through the woods to gatherings with family and friends. Before you hit the roads, rails or skies this holiday season, dash through these helpful tips to make your trip as jolly as possible and, while you're away, help you get a good night’s sleep.

* Be prepared: Don’t forget the necessities for the inevitable travel delay when packing your luggage and gifts. Pack each child a personal travel bag with surprise snacks, new books, small toys, art supplies and a travel-sized blanket and pillow. Bring yourself a book, crossword puzzle or correspondence to catch up on. Whether it’s a canceled flight, delayed train or road construction, planning ahead to keep your family occupied during these hold-ups ensures you will all arrive at your destination in a festive mood.

* Avoid the lines: Fly at non-peak hours by booking an early morning flight or a late night red-eye when airports tend to be less crowded. Pre-printing your boarding pass at home allows you to bypass the ticketing agent and self-serve kiosk. If you don’t have to check luggage, you can proceed directly to the security checkpoint. Pack lightly by planning outfits that can be mixed and matched and save on checked baggage fees because, face it, you always over-pack. Finally, arrive early - two hours in advance for domestic and three hours for international flights - because who wants to be running stressed-out through a crowded airport?