Flying off for Christmas? Jingle all the way with these 5 tips

There are plenty of cracking local activities to keep you and your family yo-ho-ho-ing this festive season if you plan on staying close to home — and you don’t even need to venture to Glasgow or Edinburgh to get in the spirit.

Bagging tickets for the Paisley First WinterFest opens the door to a winter wonderland of family entertainment, including ice skating, funfair rides and a full Christmas market where you can chomp on a cheeky crepe or warm your cockles with mulled wine.

But for family reasons, or simply because you fancy a break from the old routine, you might be flying off to family down south or catching some winter sun further afield.

It’ll be great when you get there, but sometimes pre-flight planning woes would test the patience of St Nicholas — so here are 5 travel tips to help you jingle all the way.

• Parking

If navigating packed public transport with screaming weans is your idea of bliss, feel free. But a better idea might be travelling in your own car, cranking up the Christmas tunes and playing a game of I-Spy until you reach the terminal.

Finding Scottish airport parking at Looking4.com is simple — but book early to grab an early bird bargain.

• Kids entertainment

Unexpected Christmas flight delays are about as welcome as a hole in Santa’s sack and they can trigger the most terrible temper tantrums in kids.

So be prepared by locating the children’s play areas in your departure area — if you’re travelling from Glasgow, the Kids Zone is a free soft play area situated just after gate 27 on the west pier.

• Food

Airline food these days is better than the stale sandwiches and soggy stovies of yesteryear — but it still might not keep your tum topped up on a long journey. And with pre-flight fare at the airport being dearer than Rudolph’s flight insurance, it’s slim pickings.

But munching on a Scottish breakfast from Woodlands Coffee House will leave you feeling totally satisfied — it’s Paisley’s top of the restaurant pops on TripAdvisor.

• Massage

If your partner’s been a tad tetchy on the run up to your Christmas break, perhaps avoid asking them for a soothing massage when you reach the terminal — they might apply more pressure than required.

Opt for AeroSpa at Glasgow Airport instead — after one of their sublime Swedish massages, you’ll feel like you’re floating before you take off into the air.

• Lounge

There’s nothing wrong with splashing out for a little high-end privacy before you board your flight and that’s exactly what’s on offer when you book some time at Glasgow’s UpperDeck airport lounge.

You and your better half can enjoy delightful drinks and snacks while your kids are entertained with the latest videogames and DVDs — bliss.

Follow our five tips for festive travelers for a stress-free time during the twelve days of Christmas and beyond.

How do you chill out before a flight? Share your thoughts in the comments section.