If there’s ever been a more accurate depiction of December travel, I’ve yet to see it. John Candy and Steve Martin captured the exact emotional journey many of us are about to embark on, optimism at the starting line, disbelief at the first delay, and a kind of philosophical acceptance by the final stretch. And after thirty years of travelling through every version of this chaos myself, I’ve learned that the right essentials don’t eliminate the madness, but they do make it a lot more bearable. Which is why, this Black Friday, I’m sharing the few things that genuinely make my own travel smoother. (Photo by Paramount/Getty Images)
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I’ve travelled internationally, every month for most of my adult life, for nearly three decades. That adds up to a lot of boarding passes, a lot of early mornings, and enough time in departure lounges to develop a deep appreciation for anything that makes the journey smoother. And while “holiday travel” often conjures the image of a Clark Griswald style-car packed to the roof and a Chris Rea soundtrack, the reality is much broader. December is a month of movement: trains filled with office workers carrying Secret Santa gifts, planes packed with students flying home, and commuter routes that become unexpectedly emotional as the year draws to a close.
With that in mind, here are five things I genuinely rate, items I’ve used, tested, and in one case, eagerly anticipate trying and the consumer insight behind why they are so popular.
1. Briggs & Riley Luggage and Packing Cubes – because organised packing makes the whole journey feel calmer.
Because organised packing makes the whole journey feel calmer One thing thirty years on the road teaches you: organisation is emotional. When you know where everything is, the journey feels lighter. Briggs & Riley is a brand I trust for one simple reason, the lifetime guarantee. No matter how experienced you are, luggage takes a beating. Wheels fail. Zips jam. The knowledge that someone will fix it removes a little of the travel stress that builds at this time of year. The brand currently offer 30% off select styles for Black Friday
Briggs & Riley
One thing thirty years on the road teaches you: organisation is emotional. When you know where everything is, the journey feels lighter. Briggs & Riley is a brand I trust for one simple reason, the lifetime guarantee. No matter how experienced you are, luggage takes a beating. Wheels fail. Zips jam. The knowledge that someone will fix it removes a little of the travel stress that builds at this time of year.
Their carry-on and check-in packing cube sets, made from recycled fabric, do exactly what good design should do: reduce thinking. Everything has a place, everything stays compressed, and you don’t spend the first night of a trip hunting for the item that inevitably slipped to the bottom of the case. The Sympatico Expandable Carry-On Spinner is a favourite because the extra space appears when you need it most (usually on the way home but this time of the year for fitting in the gifts and treats).
2. Summer Fridays Jet Lag Kit – because everyone travels better when they feel human.
I love this TSA Friendly Travel kit of all the minis- for moisture on the go. Whilst the set is usually excluded from promotions, full-size Jet-Lag range products are currently on Black Friday promotion
Summer Fridays
Travelling in winter is a strange mix of dry air, overheated carriages, and late nights. The Summer Fridays Jet Lag kit is something I’ve used regularly because it’s universal: fresh, simple, and suitable for any skin type. It’s also small enough to slip into a side pocket so you can revive yourself just before stepping off the train or going straight into a meeting. And, as I get older and deal with the realities of fine lines after long work days, anything that helps with hydration is welcome.
This isn’t about vanity, it’s about recovery. When you feel refreshed, you make better decisions and can arrive home looking slightly more like yourself.
3. Avolt Adaptor – because flimsy tech is the fastest way to derail a day.
Because flimsy adaptors are the fastest way to derail a day. I have learnt the old adage ‘buy cheap, buy twice’ is too true – and my Square 1 USB-C is a multi-socket extension lead with three Type G UK sockets and dual USB Type C ports and 30W charging power for all my devices and is currently on Black Friday promotion
Avolt
I can cope with delays, rerouting, even the occasional lost bag, but a broken adaptor still manages to send my stress levels through the roof. The stakes feel disproportionately high: a dying phone, a laptop you can’t charge, or the mild panic of realising your presentation is trapped behind 3% battery.
The Avolt adaptor solves that problem with one priceless quality: consistency. It’s sturdy, well-designed, and it works every time. For frequent travellers, reliability is far more valuable than novelty.
4. Jet & Bo Carry-On Cocktail Kits – because we all need an upgrade from time to time
Escape the economy feeling: Jet & Bo have created a sell out success with their simple but fun cocktail kits
Jet&Bo
Let me be clear: I don’t advocate often drink while travelling, but the truth is that December brings a different rhythm. People are taking the train home to see family. They’re flying back from university. They’re heading to reunions or office events. In those settings, a small, beautifully designed cocktail kit can be a thoughtful gift, a light-hearted gesture, or a way to mark the moment the year begins to wind down.
The joy here isn’t the drink, it’s the symbolism and fun of make your own. It represents pause, presence, and the shift into the festive season.
5. Shark Ninja FacialPro Glow Tool –because it’s all about tech and well-being on the move.
After thirty years of travelling through every climate and cabin environment imaginable, I’ve learned that the first thing to look tired is skin. Dry air, long days, recycled cabin atmosphere, too many radiators, it all shows. I’ve been keeping an eye on the new Shark FacialPro system because it speaks to a very modern behaviour: the desire to get a “reset” at home, in ten minutes, without booking a treatment. The new product is on Black Friday promotional offer
Shark Ninja
I haven’t tested this device yet in full, but this could be the perfect product for me and my early-adopter (but hard to please) friends reviews are highly positive. Beauty-tech has become one of the fastest-growing wellbeing categories, especially among people managing the natural signs of ageing while balancing demanding schedules.
Skincare devices often overpromise, but this one is more grounded. Shark’s FacialPro uses a mix of controlled suction, exfoliation and hot-cold therapy to lift away surface congestion and perk up tired skin. It’s closer to a light at-home facial than the “pore vacuums” of the past and the consumer response makes sense. In winter, especially when travelling, skin becomes dehydrated and textured very quickly.
The results are immediate: think glow, smoothness and reduced puffiness for a day or two, but that’s exactly what many people need during back-to-back journeys and social commitments. It’s a recovery tool, not a reinvention tool.
For those who travel frequently (and I count myself among them), that subtle reset can be surprisingly impactful.
Travel can take a toll, and having one reliable ritual to repair or refresh can make a noticeable difference.
Why These Essentials Matter More Than Ever
Seasonal travel isn’t just a logistical challenge, it’s a psychological one. It asks us to juggle work deadlines, family expectations, unpredictable weather, and a calendar that never quite gives enough space. The right tools don’t remove the chaos, but they ‘soften it’.
Black Friday simply arrives at the moment people are preparing for that journey. Not as a cue to impulse-buy, but as a window to think intentionally about what will make the next few weeks easier, calmer, and more enjoyable, and most of these products are currently on Black Friday promotions.
After thirty years of trains, planes and Christmas plans, that’s the wisdom I stand by: choose the things that genuinely make travel feel better, and carry as little stress as possible into the season ahead. Safe travels.
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/katehardcastle/2025/11/26/trains-planes-and-christmas-plans-my-black-friday-picks-for-a-smoother-journey/
