If you are traveling anywhere for the holidays, you know that the most stressful part is figuring out how to pack to fit everything that you’ll need. With items like holiday sweaters, warm shoes and gifts for your friends and family–it can feel nearly impossible to pack everything into one concise bag. Many people also try to travel with just a carry-on, especially if they are traveling via train or budget airline.
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As a travel expert myself, I’ve accomplished Olympic-level packing for many trips in my life. I’ve lived out of a suitcase on a Broadway tour, solo traveled for weeks at a time with just a carry-on, and am constantly hopping between New York City and New Jersey to visit my family. When it comes to the holidays, I have to pack with just a carry-on due to the space limits of the train that I take to get there. While it’s a daunting task, I have the perfect tips to make this endeavor a breeze.
Related:The ‘Tetris’ Method That Maximizes Every Inch of Your Carry-On
The mistake: not packing to fill every gap and corner in your luggage
TV host Samantha Brown, who has been traveling for 25 years, has been sharing all her best travel hacks via her Instagram account lately. In one video all about holiday packing, she shares a tip that I couldn’t agree with more. In the video, she takes a carry-on and shows how many people don’t take up every square inch of the luggage. Specifically, the space at the bottom of the suitcase where the handles jut out. This space can actually hold a large amount of real estate. Brown says that the best way to optimize that space is to fold and fit clothing items that will lay perfectly in that space, and it will create a foundation for the rest of your belongings to go on top.
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I personally think packing cubes are the best way to go when packing a carry-on, and Brown agrees as well. The thing is–packing cubes won’t be as space-saving if you don’t pack them correctly. Brown shares that the best way to pack a packing cube is to use the karate chop method. Here, she uses the packing cube to measure how she will fold her clothes. She lays each item on top of the cube, and then karate chops at the end of the item to fold it perfectly into the cube. From there, she rolls the clothing item into a burrito-like shape. This helps to make each clothing item fit the length of the packing cube seamlessly, eliminating any possible gaps that could be wasted in the packing.
Related: The Secret Trick to Packing Shoes Without Wasting Space
How to handle the packing of gifts for the holidays
Trying to fit gifts into the packing equation can be incredibly difficult. First and foremost, it’s definitely best to strategize ahead of time with what gifts you’ll be getting people. For items that you can order online, I highly recommend getting them delivered to the place that you’ll be spending the holidays. That way, you don’t need to worry about transporting them. If you’re the type of person to get unique items from small businesses that can’t be ordered elsewhere, I think it’s best to stick with smaller-sized products. Things like jewelry, artwork, or thin pieces of clothing are great holiday gifts that don’t take up a lot of room.
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Now, another issue may arise when you are heading back home after the holidays. You can’t plan ahead what kind of gifts people will give you, and you may end up with items too large to fit into your luggage. For this situation, I always bring a collapsible bag in my suitcase to use for extra space in case I need it. Brands like Bagsmart sell strong, high-quality bags that can be folded into a very small shape, perfect for tucking away until you absolutely need it. Use this bag as a personal item on your travels home, and you’ll be good to go.
Related: The Travel Souvenir Hack I Wish I Knew Sooner
This story was originally published by Parade on Dec 3, 2025, where it first appeared in the Travel section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.