What to Take Care of at Home Before Your Holiday
Relaxed take-off instead of last-minute stress
1.1 Why planning makes you happy
1.2 Your roadmap to peace of mind
Document check: your digital backup
2.1 Validity and visas – keep an eye on the date
2.2 Security through copies – analogue meets digital
2.3 Health in your luggage – insurance and emergency contacts
Finances & availability – carefree abroad
3.1 Means of payment abroad: card check and emergency cash
3.2 Staying digitally connected: roaming and data options
Mission ‘Safe Home’: security for your home
4.1 Burglary protection – making your home look lived in
4.2 Resource check – fire safety and saving electricity
Household checklist for holidays
5.1 Fridge inventory – enjoy instead of throwing away
5.2 Waste management – no chance for pests
5.3 Plant wellness – stress-free watering
6.1 When should I start my travel checklist at the latest?
6.2 Which subscriptions should I pause for my holiday?
6.3 What are the most common things travellers forget shortly before departure?
Relaxed Take-Off Instead of Last-Minute Stress
The tingle of anticipation, thoughts of endless beaches or the vibrant life of a foreign metropolis – who isn’t familiar with this feeling? Holidays are balm for the soul. But be honest: how often does a quiet, nagging question creep in just before departure? ‘Have I really thought of everything?’ What needs to be done before a holiday can be easily ticked off with a clear list – and that’s exactly what this travel checklist is for.
Why Planning Makes You Happy
The last few hours before departure can quickly turn into a nerve-wracking marathon. Is your passport still valid? And what about the plants? Before you know it, the start of your well-deserved break is overshadowed by stress. Studies show that anticipation is greatest when we feel in control. Good preparation is therefore not only important from an organisational point of view, but also half the battle when it comes to relaxing your mind. Good travel preparation ensures that you are not only organised, but also mentally ready to switch into holiday mode earlier.
Your Roadmap to Peace of Mind
We have created this travel checklist for you so that you can lock the door to your home with peace of mind. We guide you step by step through all the things you need to do – from essential documents and your finances to the security of your home. This means you can start your next adventure not only with a smile, but also with the certainty that everything is taken care of at home.
Relaxed take-off instead of last-minute stress
1.1 Why planning makes you happy
1.2 Your roadmap to peace of mind
Document check: your digital backup
2.1 Validity and visas – keep an eye on the date
2.2 Security through copies – analogue meets digital
2.3 Health in your luggage – insurance and emergency contacts
Finances & availability – carefree abroad
3.1 Means of payment abroad: card check and emergency cash
3.2 Staying digitally connected: roaming and data options
Mission ‘Safe Home’: security for your home
4.1 Burglary protection – making your home look lived in
4.2 Resource check – fire safety and saving electricity
Household checklist for holidays
5.1 Fridge inventory – enjoy instead of throwing away
5.2 Waste management – no chance for pests
5.3 Plant wellness – stress-free watering
6.1 When should I start my travel checklist at the latest?
6.2 Which subscriptions should I pause for my holiday?
6.3 What are the most common things travellers forget shortly before departure?
The Document Check: Your Digital Backup
Nothing causes more heart palpitations at the airport than the moment when you rummage through your bag and can’t find your passport right away. To spare yourself this hassle, it’s worth tackling the bureaucratic to-dos a few days earlier.
Validity and Visas – Keeping an Eye on the Dates
Check well in advance whether your passport or identity card is still valid. Many countries outside the EU require that documents be valid for at least six months upon entry. Don’t forget to print out any necessary visas or entry permits (such as ESTA for the USA) or have them ready on your smartphone.
Security Through Copies – Where Analogue Meets Digital
It’s every traveller’s nightmare: your bag is gone, and so are all your ID documents. Our tip: make copies of all your important documents.
Digital: scan your passport, booking confirmations and insurance policies and save them in a secure cloud or email them to yourself. This way, you can access them from any device in the world.
Analogue: a paper copy hidden deep in your suitcase can be worth its weight in gold in an emergency if your smartphone battery is dead or there is no Wi-Fi available.
Health in Your Luggage – Insurance and Emergency Contacts
Always have your international health insurance handy. Make a note of your insurance company’s emergency hotline and your GP’s contact details. If you need to take medication regularly, it is a good idea to bring a copy of your prescription or a medical certificate (especially when travelling by air) so that you don’t waste time at customs.
Are you travelling alone and unsure about planning? In our guide to ‘Travelling alone to Lapland’, you can find out what solo travellers should pay particular attention to in terms of safety and organisation.
Finances & Accessibility – Worry-Free Abroad
Nothing dampens the holiday mood faster than a blocked credit card at the cash machine or a horrendous mobile phone bill after returning home. With a few minutes of preparation, you can ensure that your finances and communications run smoothly.
Means of Payment Abroad: Card Check and Emergency Cash
To ensure that your bank does not assume that your first overseas payment is an attempt at fraud and block your card, you should inform them in advance.
- Credit card limits: Check whether your daily or monthly limit is sufficient for your planned holiday expenses (car rental deposit, hotels, etc.).
- Use abroad: Some banks require activation for certain regions (‘geoblocking’). A quick phone call or a click in online banking is usually sufficient.
- Cash backup: Even in the age of Apple Pay and the like, a small amount in the local currency (or in US dollars/euros as an emergency reserve) is indispensable for tips or small markets.
Stay Digitally Connected: Roaming and Data Options
Your smartphone is your compass, translator and photo album all in one when you’re on holiday. To keep costs from skyrocketing, it’s worth taking a look at your mobile phone tariff.
- Avoid roaming traps: Within the EU, you can usually surf at domestic rates. Outside the EU, you should deactivate roaming and book an international package from your provider instead.
- The local solution (eSIM): For globetrotters, digital SIM cards (eSIMs) from providers such as Airalo or Holafly are ideal. You can often install them in advance and have affordable data volume immediately after landing without having to change a physical card.
Mission “Safe Home”: Security for Your Home
Feeling secure on holiday starts with knowing that your home is in good hands. Statistics show that a house that looks “lived in” drastically reduces the risk of burglary. These steps will help you protect your property while saving resources at the same time.
Burglary Protection – How to Make Your Home Look Occupied
An overflowing letterbox or permanently closed shutters are clear signs of absence to outsiders.
- Neighbourhood help: Ask someone you trust to empty your letterbox regularly and perhaps even move the shutters from time to time.
- Smart helpers: Use timers for floor lamps in different rooms to simulate presence.
- Be careful with social media: Even if you are really looking forward to your holiday, it is best to wait until you return before posting holiday photos, or make sure that your profile is not publicly visible.
Resource Check – Fire Safety and Energy Saving
Safety also means minimising technical risks. A quick tour of your home before locking up saves money and prevents unpleasant surprises.
- Unplug: Disconnect unnecessary electrical appliances (coffee machine, toaster, television) from the mains. This protects against surge damage during thunderstorms and eliminates standby power consumption.
- Water and gas: If you are going on a long trip, turn off the main water tap (to prevent water damage from burst pipes) and check that the stove is really turned off.
- Optimise heating: In winter, do not turn off the heating completely (frost protection!), but regulate it to a lower, constant temperature (approx. 15-17 °C).
Good preparation at home is invaluable, especially when travelling with children. If you are still looking for the perfect destination, you will find ‘inspiration and the most beautiful destinations for your family holiday’ here.
Household Checklist for Your Holiday
To ensure that your holiday relaxation doesn’t evaporate as soon as you unlock the front door, you should support your ‘future self’. A clean home is the best way to end any trip.
The Fridge Inventory – Enjoy Instead of Wasting
Nothing is more unpleasant than the smell of spoiled food after a long journey. A quick inventory two days before departure works wonders.
- Use up instead of throwing away: Plan your meals shortly before your holiday so that perishable goods such as milk, meat or open yoghurt are used up.
- Neighbourhood share: Do you have any opened food that you won’t be able to finish? Your neighbours or food sharing stations will be happy to take it.
- Clean finish: Give the fridge a quick wipe before you leave – this will prevent mould from forming in the event of a power cut.
Waste Management – No Chance for Pests
An empty bin is essential for a fresh home when you return.
- Organic waste first: Empty the organic waste and residual waste bins on the day of departure to avoid unpleasant odours and fruit flies.
- Cleaning: A quick splash of vinegar cleaner in the bin will ensure that no bacteria spread during your absence.
Plant Wellness – Watering Without Stress
Your green companions need care during your absence so they don’t end up drooping.
- Smart watering hacks: If no one can come by to water your plants, simple tricks can help, such as the “string method” (transporting water via a woollen string from a glass of water) or clay cone attachments for PET bottles.
- Light & positioning: On hot days, move plants a little further away from the window into partial shade. This reduces evaporation and significantly lowers their water needs.
Ready for your next adventure? Find the best flight deals now at leav.com and start your break stress-free.
FAQ
When should I start working on my travel checklist at the latest?
We recommend starting to check your documents and bank limits two weeks before departure. Household tasks (fridge, rubbish, plugs) should be completed the day before departure or on the day of departure itself.
Which subscriptions should I pause for my holiday?
To save money and reduce the amount of mail you receive, you should pause your physical newspaper deliveries. Regular food delivery boxes or local memberships (e.g. gym memberships for long-term trips) can often be paused for a period of time.
What are the most common things travellers forget just before departure?
Typical classics are: chargers/adapters, ID/bank card, travel insurance/emergency numbers, taking out the rubbish and devices on standby. Practical tip: Set up a ‘departure corner’ the night before (documents, wallet, headphones, charger) – then all you have to do in the morning is grab it and go.
For more behind-the-scenes insights, follow LEAV on Instagram & TikTok.