Bring a Swiss Army Knife – Packing tip

by Gadling Staff on

The usefulness of a Swiss army knife or other similar utility tool can not be understated.

Beyond the obvious uses of the available tools like the can and bottle openers and the knife and scissors to open packaging, there are also several other potential uses:

  • The point of the knife is an effective screwdriver for very small screws like those seen on the battery doors of many electronic devices (fresh batteries also being an essential item to pack).
  • The scissors are strong enough to cut the binding of a spiral notebook if it comes undone.

Just be sure not to store it in your carry-on luggage — the TSA will confiscate your precious tool!

Make your own frame – Souvenir tip

by Gadling Staff on

Make your own souvenir frame following the tips below! By involving the family, the souvenir you create becomes more memorable.

  1. While on your trip, collect a few items. If outdoors, collect things like shells, rocks, leaves, pods, etc.. If at an event/amusement locale, consider a ticket stub, program, autograph, etc.
  2. Take lots of photos (ensuring that family members are included in scenic pictures, increasing interest in the photos for souvenir purposes).
  3. When home, paint an inexpensive unfinished wood frame, or spray paint an existing frame.
  4. Arrange collected items around frame and hot-glue into place.
  5. Print out or process photos into appropriate size for frame.
  6. Insert photo.
  7. Enjoy!

Unconventional autographs – Souvenir tip

by Gadling Staff on

Really loved your dinner? Get the Chef’s autograph on a napkin or a copy of the menu. Thought your hotel was great, get the Hotel Manager’s John Hancock on a brochure. This way you can remember not only what made your trip special but who made it special.

Make your bag stand out – Airplane tip

by Gadling Staff on

Make your luggage stand out! Customizing your luggage prevents others from mistakenly picking it up and helps you spot your luggage faster.

Customizing your luggage need not be expensive. Inexpensive options include:

  • tieing brightly-colored ribbons to the handles of each piece of luggage;
  • affixing bumper stickers to the hard, external parts of bags;
  • wrapping multi-colored duct tape to the outside of a piece of luggage;
  • monogram-stenciling the bag with paint;
  • attaching unbreakable holiday ornaments to a bag’s handles.

Always have two places in mind – Dining out tip

by Gadling Staff on

Every vacationer’s itinerary should include broad strokes of where to eat at all points along the way. However, a smart vacationer always has two places in mind for each meal, because restaurants occasionally close with little warning.

Having two options in mind ahead of time certainly doesn’t limit you to those establishments only, but a little bit of advance work pays off when no better option presents itself during your tour.