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Packed for Life | Family Travel

Donna Garrison

An ever curious traveler with a passion for making memories with my family. I give families the tools to experience the joys of travelling, no matter your budget. Through quick, practical solutions. Join me if you'd like to make more memories confidently travelling with your kids, without straining your finances, going into debt, or feeling like you'd have to sell off a kidney to fund your next vacation.

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Featured Post

✈️ new video on Google Flights is live

Hey Reader, TGIF! Happy Friday. I'm heading to the ice castle this weekend with Miss S. She has requested we play hide and seek in the tunnels... Which may or may not happen depending on how small they are (and if I can handle crawling around on my hands & knees for more than 5 minutes). Following up on my Mastering Google Flights: Secrets to Snagging Cheap Airfare post a couple of weeks ago, there were quite a few of you who were interested in a video walk through. So here you go: ✈️ Quick...

about 1 month ago • 1 min read

Hey Reader, Do you ever have one of those weeks where things just don't seem to click? That’s me right now. I mean overall life is pretty okay but dang. Our fridge is on its last legs. It literally hurts my face to go outside, it's so cold right now. And I have no idea how to help the kid with this newfangled math. With so much going on I feel like I'm constantly dropping the ball & forgetting some important things. But one thing that I did do right? Find cheap flights for our next family...

about 2 months ago • 1 min read

Hey Reader, How was your weekend? Ours was pretty fun, as there was a Malanka celebration for Ukranian New Years. And while we aren't Ukranian (our ancestors are from England, Norway & China), my daughter is in Ukranian dance. There's a very welcoming community here in Yellowknife, Canada & she has friends in it that got her excited to try. We feasted on tasty foods, watched kids dance performances, and danced to the dj afterwards. POLL RESULTS So the moment I know you've all been waiting...

3 months ago • 2 min read
Man and woman smiling in fur lined parkas.

Hey Reader, Happy New Year! Just getting back into the swing of things. We've hit a cold snap here, after a super mild December - We're now at Extreme Cold Warnings (-40C / -40F before windchill). Questioning my life choices this morning lol. I thought I'd do a fun little poll, since it's so cold outside, If you had woken up to an extreme cold warning for the past week, what would you do? Click your choice below. a) Book a beach vacation immediately b) Hide under the covers with a good book...

4 months ago • 1 min read
Different gingerbread cookies decorated with smarties.

Hey Reader, I can't believe it's not butter.... LOL just kidding. I can't believe it's only a week before Christmas. We have pretty simple traditions over here, and most of the stuff is already done. Which is good, as my partner unexpectedly had to travel and may not make it back for Christmas. He usually does the turkey...which I just don't do. So I'm looking for some fun alternatives. If you have any other fun & easy Christmas dinner ideas (can be anything) send them my way. Simplifying the...

4 months ago • 3 min read

Hey Reader, Happy Monday! Do you do Elf on the Shelf? So far I've avoided it, but my youngest put this secret note under an elf doll she made asking Santa if he can make her elf come alive. Broke my heart a little.... So now I am planning on doing it this year. As she's 10 I figure this may be one of the last years for the Santa is real magic. If you have any cool Elf on the Shelf ideas for a newbie over here, send them my way. To get you in a festive mood, I'm putting together a weekly list...

5 months ago • 3 min read

Hey Reader, December is here! Is the excitement building in your household? We just decorated our cute Christmas tree this past weekend. It's fully loaded with homemade, travel & special ornaments that each have a story and a memory. It's one of the things my daughter & I look forward to every year. We crank the Christmas tunes and hang our favourites, all willy nilly. It was another tree-mendous success 🎄. This is the perfect time of year to create special memories with loved ones. To get...

5 months ago • 2 min read

Hello Reader, With Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead), the Mexican celebration honoring the ancestors recently passed, I was feeling nostalgic for my grandparents and wrote this piece in Medium, When Apples Connect Me To My Ancestors. Speaking of nostalgic, I also was remembering I had said I would write a trip update on our weekend getaway to Ucluelet, BC Canada back in May. Between the fires that closed the road up to Ucluelet & Tofino off an on all summer and our own evacuation due to...

6 months ago • 3 min read
Young woman looking at a computer screen

Hey Reader, Have you got over the sugar coma from Hallowe'een yet? Miss S. got a ridiculous amount of candy. She didn't think my usual plan of taking some to work was a good idea this year lol! It was also her first year going with just her friends instead of with us parents. Oh, it's starting already, a new era. A bit sad for us, but also interesting to see how she's taking on more independence. Speaking of new, a new year is coming up, which means travel plans are bubbling in the air. The...

6 months ago • 3 min read
Tablet showing the budget Travel Calculator

Hey Reader, It finally snowed up here. Large fluffy flakes of white stuff that sticks around. Miss S. was so excited she got all bundled up early for school, so she can go "sledding" like a penguin with her friends. How's your weather? Speaking of excitement, I have something special for you today my dear readers. Don't worry, you don't have to slide down a snowy hill on your belly. I often hear creating a travel budget can be a challenge..... Which is why I created my very first online...

6 months ago • 1 min read
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