Packing food for Christmas travelling to cut costs

[erinerinerin]

we do this, too-we pack lots of fruit. bananas, sliced apples, pears, bunches of grapes. raw veggies cut into strips. dry cereal. nuts! almonds are a fave. pb and j's.
we also like to take yogurt-i get whatever kind-in-a-tube is on sale and freeze it solid, so that i don't have to be so paranoid about it staying cold enough, and my dd loves to eat them that way. like a push up popsicle!

[Sthrnmissgal]

Another alternative to a sandwich that we like to take on trips: You take a flour tortilla and spread cream cheese or mayo on it (really whatever you like) and then place cheese and meat (either lunch meat or leftover ham/turkey/chicken) put any other condiments or veggies you may like on it, Roll it up and slice into pieces. This works great and easy to make and travel with. Also I like to cut up fruit and veggies before we go. I will also go to the Dollar Tree and get beef jerky. I always have around the house some of the junk candy and gum that I have gotten free or really cheap so I like to make little goodie bags with specific things my kids like and keep it hidden and bring it out when they start asking for also if you are a member of MyCokeRewards, then I like to order up coupons for free soda/water/powerade and use along the way that way you are not taking up that much room in the car with the drinks and you can use them when you stop for gas. Hope this helps. Have a great trip!

[Ggbwg]

Hard boiled eggs, summer sausage w/ cheese & Crackers, yogurts, puddings. For lunch you could put some really hot soup in a thermos and have later. Salads. Apples, pears. I guess it also depends on how big your vehicle is, lol. If you have a small one like me it could get messy.

[talk2ham.1]

Another alternative to a sandwich that we like to take on trips: You take a flour tortilla and spread cream cheese or mayo on it (really whatever you like) and then place cheese and meat (either lunch meat or leftover ham/turkey/chicken) put any other condiments or veggies you may like on it, Roll it up and slice into pieces. This works great and easy to make and travel with. Also I like to cut up fruit and veggies before we go. I will also go to the Dollar Tree and get beef jerky. I always have around the house some of the junk candy and gum that I have gotten free or really cheap so I like to make little goodie bags with specific things my kids like and keep it hidden and bring it out when they start asking for also if you are a member of MyCokeRewards, then I like to order up coupons for free soda/water/powerade and use along the way that way you are not taking up that much room in the car with the drinks and you can use them when you stop for gas. Hope this helps. Have a great trip!

What great tips! Coupons for freebees ordered ahead--now there's something I should've thought of but wouldn't have. Nice! And the tortilla/cream cheese snacks sound really tasty as well as healthy.

Thanks a bunch!

[AngelKitty4OU]

awesome ideas... I was just coming to post for the same thing!!!!
What about more ideas (for teenagers)????
I am just dreading the "but there's a Mcdonald's mom ...right there....."

To which you reply, "I know. And there is a cooler chock full of delicious food right at your feet, if you're hungry. Enjoy!"

But yes, packing some extra special foods is a great idea. Consider this: An average meal out costs around $6. For a family of four, that's $24 a meal. If you take a 20-hour trip, figure at least three meals. That would be $72...for just one day! Not to mention the return trip...and stopping at the gas station for snacks...and meals while you are at your destination (probably you will eat out at least once). That's a lot of dough. Conversely, wouldn't it be more cost-effective to pack some treats and meal stuff to eat on the way? Not to mention a lot healthier.

Now, the challenge of explaining this to a child.