Vacation....ahhhh what a glorious word! I live for vacations. I plan months in advance, count down the days until I leave, write packing lists, and more. Beyond making sure to pack an extra USB cable or reconfirming hotel reservations, here are six things you can do to before leaving that will help you to enjoy your time off even more. 
Are you thinking about going on a family vacation? Does the thought of traveling with a group of people whom you're related to sound like fun, but at the same time to give you anxiety when thinking about all the different personalities involved (picture Kevin's crazy family in the movie "Home Alone")? No worries! I've spent most of my vacations since childhood traveling or going on camping trips with groups of up to 25 people, ages 2 months to 85-years-old. Along the way, I've learned what works (and what doesn't work) to accomplish smooth journeys and make the best memories. 
Family meetings are a great way to ensure that everyone is on the same page and anything from the daily routine to special events like vacations or birthday parties go off without a hitch. It's also a useful forum for having more serious, challenging conversations, such as discussing a family member's illness and care. Follow these 10 rules for successful family meetings: 
We're big advocates of families sitting around a table and sharing at least one meal together each day because we’ve found that when we do this with our families, we’re able to reconnect, recharge and solidify our bond. It may not seem significant over the course of one meal or one week, but over a period of time, families are strengthened by this daily ritual.
A home cooked meal enhances this experience. Home cooked meals express love, care, respect and well-being. Think about your favorite comfort food. Most likely, it’s a dish prepared by a beloved family member. Along these lines, home cooked meals often supplement the best memories and some evolve into family traditions. 
The following is an excerpt from “The PR Fix for the Everyday Person” © 2014 by Jenny Fujita and Joy Miura Koerte.
Being a host conjures up visions of throwing a party. That may be true but in general, being a good host is about making people feel comfortable, not only when you are a formal host of a gathering, but in everyday situations. When you’re the type of person who makes people feel comfortable, you become very attractive. People will literally flock to you because they feel at ease in your presence. These connections are great for building new relationships or deepening old ones. 
The following is an excerpt from “The PR Fix for the Everyday Person” © 2014 by Jenny Fujita and Joy Miura Koerte.
A lot of people wave away gifts in all of their forms, from presents to awards, compliments and prizes. It may not even be because they don’t like or want the gift, but the it may make them feel embarrassed to receive the gesture or boastful if they accept a compliment. You probably know people like this. You may have even been one of them on occasion. We all have. Your child is calling for you, “Mommy! Mommy! Come here! I have something for you!” You unenthusiastically respond, “I’ll be there in a minute,” because you’re in the middle of something and another distraction will drive you batty. Or, the cashier in the grocery store says, “Lovely outfit.” You respond quietly, “It’s really old.” The postmaster offers you a free lollipop. You say, “No thanks” and scoot to your car in a hurry. And so on. 
The following is an excerpt from “The PR Fix for the Everyday Person” © 2013 by Jenny Fujita and Joy Koerte.
We always tell our clients that when they’re asked questions about a situation involving several parties, they must only answer for their own company. The same goes for you. If you’re asked a question about how another person may feel about a situation, pause and then say, “I can’t answer for them but I know that I…” 
The following is an excerpt from “The PR Fix for the Everyday Person” © 2013 by Jenny Fujita and Joy Koerte.
You plan meals for your family, build a resume to get a job, and make shopping lists to go to the store. Do the same for yourself and take the time to make a big picture plan for your life, a mission statement.