Give the Gift of Language This Holiday Season

We are big fans of giving and getting experiences for the holidays. Not only do we not need anymore stuff, experiences generally let us spend more time together. It's like giving memories. We've given tours, escape rooms, and more over the years. With so much about on-time delivery questionable right now, giving an experience is also easy to print and put into a card or send by email. 

People are getting excited to start traveling again, even if that is a big question mark again. I've been vaccinated, boosted, I have a big collection of masks, and I'm feeling pretty good about getting out there again next year. So, while your recipients may not want a reminder of not getting to go anywhere with something that screams travel sitting under the tree, giving them something like the ability to learn a new language is very fun and useful.

Which language-learning services do I recommend? Keep reading!

I have always had good luck with Pimsleur. I like that the lessons build on one another and get progressively more complex. You learn words and then phrases which can be really useful when you're in a new city. I know much of the world speaks English, but it's nice to know the local language when you can, because it shows that you're trying. I've used both Spanish and French Pimsleur lessons and I highly recommend them for ease of learning wherever you are and the use of repetition so you recall things more easily. 

You can learn to speak a new language, with an authentic accent, in 30 days from just $14.95. 

If your gift recipient (or you, I'm not gonna judge.) might need a little extra help with learning something new, Babbel offers live online classes, podcasts, games, videos, and short lessons. It gives them a whole arsenal of tools in which to soak up the most knowledge. Babbel Online has a tiered learning system, so wherever you are in your vocabulary expertise, you can find the class that's perfect for your level. 

Unlimited access to the app and online classes start at just $6.95/month when you purchase a whole year, or pay a little more if you would rather pay twice a year, quarterly, or monthly.

It can be difficult to figure out what to get for everyone on your list, especially people who seem like they already have everything. Well, knowledge is always a great gift, plus these lessons can be fun and something the whole family can engage in. Happy gift-giving!

Do you have a favorite language learning app, service, or game?

Disclaimer: this post contains affiliate links that may result in my compensation should you make a purchase through those links. This allows me to keep bringing you useful content and I thank you in advance.

To Travel Or Not For the Holidays

Right now, people are again wondering if they should postpone their trips due to the Omicron variant that we don't know that much about. More people this year are traveling than last, but still not as many as pre-pandemic. I can completely understand that, considering most children are just now eligible for vaccination.

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I won't be traveling for the holidays this year, but I will be eating out (at a restaurant that requires one to be vaccinated or Covid-negative), as I did for Thanksgiving, and I will be traveling in early January. 

My family has just received their boosters and will board a plane for the first time in two years for a quick getaway on Alaska Airlines. Not only have I always had great experiences on them, but I've been following other travelers who have said that they are wonderful with following precautions and keeping people safe during the pandemic. We'll be going to Arizona and doing plenty of outdoor activities (the zoo, the desert museum, the botanical garden), so we won't be engaged in high- or moderate-risk things except possibly while dining. I am looking to eat outside as much as possible though, since the weather will be much warmer than here. 

Please be safe if you plan to travel. Have fun, but remember to still take proper precautions. Do some research on your destination, especially if you are traveling outside of the country. Are you in the minority to be traveling this holiday season?

Pack Light for Winter Travel

Packing even for a beach trip in just a carry-on can be a little tricky if you aren’t used to packing light. Carry-on travel has become more and more popular as baggage fees have become the norm among most airlines. 

Not only does packing light save money, but it also saves time, because travelers don’t have to stand around the baggage carousel waiting for their luggage to (hopefully) make it off the plane. Having minimal baggage can save your back, too. Not sure where to start when planning your winter travel bag? Here are some tips to keep your carry-on light, but still have a large wardrobe.

Mix and Match

When you carry fewer items, you need all your clothing to work together. Throw out the idea of packing a whole outfit for each day and instead look to mix and match everything you bring. Pick a color palette and stick with it, or make sure either all your tops or all your bottoms are a neutral color. If all your tops go with all your bottoms, you’ll find your choices are more than expected.

Scale Down

The only one who will know that you’ve worn the same clothing separates more than once on vacation is you (and your travel companions). It’s unlikely you will see the same people more than once on a trip, and if you do, they probably won’t notice that your outfit is similar to what they saw you in before. The magic numbers for what to bring: Five tops and three bottoms. These, coupled with the outfit you’ve traveled in, net you over three weeks of unique outfit combinations.

Layer, Layer, Layer

Just because it’s cold today, doesn’t mean it will be tomorrow. Plan for days that can vary in temperature by packing layers. You might have an unseasonably warm day in the middle of winter or an unexpected cold snap in fall. Be prepared. Pack a few sweaters, a scarf and a mix of tanks and tees. When it’s warmer out, you can opt for a t-shirt. When it’s really cold, you can add two or more layers together to keep chill out. If you’ve brought a dress, toss a pair of tights into your bag to protect your legs. Don’t forget your favorite jacket, which you should leave out of your carry-on to save space for other necessities. It can double as a pillow on the plane or can be stashed under the seat in front of you.

Choose Two

Shoes are the biggest challenge of everyone’s travel bag, it seems. A pair of flip flops is a staple to any carry-on, as they take up little room and are perfect for quick jaunts to the lobby or to the hotel pool. Other than those, two pair of shoes is all you need. When your destination is projected to be cool, a pair of comfortable boots and another pair of walking shoes are going to be your best bet. Don’t bring anything you haven’t worn before or that you can’t walk in for long periods of time comfortably.

Wear your walking shoes on the plane and leave your dress up shoes at home. You’re not going to want to wear high heels after a day of sightseeing. If you really want to wear a pair of nice shoes out, look for a fun pair of ballet flats or wedge booties that will go with other outfits as well.

Accessorize

If you feel that what you’ve brought is kind of drab and not really exciting for a night out, then accessories will elevate those plain Jane items. A scarf, a belt and some statement jewelry can pack small and make a big impact. Jazz up your little black dress or a simple tank with a funky necklace. Even if you’re specifically planning to go to an upscale restaurant or clubbing, you probably won’t feel like leaving your fancier clothes at home was a bad idea. If you aren’t going to wear something two or more times, it is just taking up valuable real estate in your carry-on.

Do Laundry

There’s no way around it. If you pack light and you’re gone for more than a week, you’re going to have to do laundry. Schedule some downtime (which you should do anyway) to clean your clothes. It doesn’t sound fun, but you can take the time to hit the pool, watch a show or catch a nap. Just need to freshen up a piece? Spray some vodka on it. It deodorizes, and since it doesn’t have its own smell, you won’t reek of booze.

Carry-on packing can be difficult at first, but with some practice you can become a pro and save baggage fees. With fewer bags to deal with, you’ll feel freer as you waltz off the plane and get right onto your vacation while everyone else is still waiting for their suitcases.