Holiday travel brings out a special mix of excitement and dread. You get to see family, take a winter escape, or check off a bucket-list trip. You also get crowded airports, higher prices, and the pressure to make everything perfect. The good news is that a little strategy goes a long way, even if you're starting your planning in late October. Here's how to make holiday travel calmer, no matter how close the dates are. Start With Your Non-Negotiables Before you look at a s