With Christmas behind us and New Years upon us, now would be a good time to learn from holiday travel mistakes and not let the past repeat itself next year. Traveling at this time of year is always hectic — it should come as no surprise. Yet, somehow every year, thousands of people find themselves stranded or stressed out needlessly. There are three major mistakes that, if avoided, could remedy holiday headaches for everyone.

1. Underestimating Mother Nature.

Even if there’s no inclement weather canceling flights at the airport you’re departing from – flight cancellations always create an elaborate domino effect that can delay perfectly unrelated climates. Of course, this year no one was safe since Hell apparently froze over and snow even whitened Las Vegas and L.A. Arriving with plenty of time and knowing your options for wait lists and flight changes won’t always mean you’ll have trouble-free travel, but it’s the easiest way to help ensure you’ll get where you need to go.

2. Not Keeping the Kids Entertained.

What, you didn’t notice the tiny little punches at the back of your seat accompanied with “Are we there yet?”s and desperate cries to go home? Sure, not all kids are tough to travel with, but if you’ve got a full car or a long flight, you’ll be saving your sanity (not to mention all the people surrounding you) if you make sure to bring plenty of things to keep the kids entertained. There are a ton of easy solutions here: coloring books, crayons, books, etc. Thanks to technology, there are loads of even more effective tools, such as handheld DVD players, iPods, and the Nintendo DS. Now, if you’re lucky enough to be on an airline that provides it, wireless networking technology from D-Link allows air travelers to enjoy digEcor’s portable, lightweight in-flight entertainment players that provide passengers with a wide selection of movies, TV shows, music and games. With all of these gadgets, however, don’t forget to bring enough headphones and batteries to last you.

3. Not Understanding Travelers Insurance Needs or Coverage.

According to a new national survey on travel insurance issued by Trusted Choice and the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (the Big “I”), millions of Americans have no clue when they might already be covered or where they might have gaps while on vacation. Big “I” President & CEO Robert A. Rusbuldt says ” The good news for consumers is that homeowner’s insurance policies may cover lost property, car insurance policies often offer the option of rental coverage, and medical policies usually have clauses that explain where and when you are covered”. Whether the airline loses luggage containing gifts, you’re renting a car, or doing daredevil ski jumps abroad, it’s going to help a great deal to know if you’re covered for any or all of these things beforehand.

So maybe while you’re toasting to the New Year (and then riding home with a designated driver – don’t make another huge travel mistake) you might make a resolution to help yourself and all other travelers in the coming seasons by learning from your, and everyone else’s, travel mistakes.

Liz McClendon is a two-time graduate of Virginia Tech and now spends her time traversing the internet, where she writes and continues her seemingly everlasting quest to be gainfully employed.