This blog post is sponsored by Shell, in which I was compensated. But the story, experiences and opinions are all my own.

Growing up we’d often spend Thanksgiving away from home. Either at an out of state relative’s house for a big warm meal surrounded by warm faces or at a nearby family member’s house. I didn’t mind. I loved visiting new places. But when it came to Christmas, we spent it at home.

Maybe my parents knew we would freak out worrying about Santa not able to find us. Or maybe they just knew how much of a hassle it could be to travel with kids and spend Christmas away from home. My husband and I tend to follow the same ideals. We’re totally cool with traveling during Thanksgiving. Christmas? That’s another story.

My husband and I may take a quick trip out of town to celebrate our anniversary (two days before Christmas). But we are sure to be home to bring in the occasion together. Around Christmas however, we’ll take little road trips together to enjoy different activities. From Polar Express rides, snow tubing to playing to ice skating. We love enjoying this season together.

Some of our holiday traditions: We use a 7-foot artificial Christmas tree. Some day I may be able to convince my husband to give a real tree a try. We also take holiday road trips; sometimes to the Polar Express train and always to visit the real Santa.

When planning for a road trip I’m always sure to have a few things handy:

1. Holiday road trip kit: I wanted to kick off the road trip with a cute little holiday gift. A little something something for them to enjoy on the road and help get them in the festive sprit. You can do this with holiday candies, a coloring book, or maybe some festive headphones.

2. Savings at the pump with Fuel Rewards®. The holidays can be pricey enough so it’s nice to save where we can. We stopped at Shell and filled up, and grabbed snacks for the road and got discounts using our Fuel Rewards® card (you can get yours here, it’s free, just takes a minute to sign up, and saves you some green!).

3. Healthy holiday snacks (and just some delicious treats): Snacks are a great diversion from long car rides. I like to keep a variety of snacks on hand and pass them out individually so it lasts longer and each new snack break can bring a new surprise.

4. Highway high time: some fun things to keep the kids entertained. Tablets and/or audiobooks, a list of some old school car games to play, and in my son’s case, his current favorite stuffed animal.

5. Holiday soundtrack: Christmas songs definitely get old by the end of the year but when the season is just starting I can’t get enough. I like making a holiday station on a music app and stream it for the ride.

We may not have a glamorous holiday vacation planned, but that’s ok. We challenged ourselves to do something new together. And though I didn’t win the battle for a real tree this year, I have a feeling we’re one step closer for next time.

And don’t forget, after you sign up for the Fuel Rewards Program, you will instantly earn 25¢/gal (up to 20 gallons) for every friend that signs with your unique referral link and uses the program by earning a reward or using their card at a participating Shell station. There’s no limit to how many friends you invite or how many times you earn!

I love partnering with brands that help us make meaningful memories together as a family. That is why I have teamed up with Shell for this post. Of course all opinions are my own.

*Restrictions apply. To qualify for the Gold/Silver Status offers, you must be a Fuel Rewards^® member and swipe your Fuel Rewards^® card or enter your Alt ID when you fuel at a participating Shell station. With Gold Status, you will receive 5¢/gal in Fuel Rewards^® savings on every fill-up. The 5¢/gal reward for Gold Status will be combined with other rewards in your Fuel Rewards^® account. If you are an existing Fuel Rewards^® member, you will receive Gold Status from 6/5/2017 through 12/31/17, the “Existing Member Introductory Period”. If you are a new Fuel Rewards^® member, you will receive Gold Status for the initial month you join through the last day of the month, 6 full calendar months later, the “New Member Introductory Period”. The last 3 months of the Existing Member Introductory Period or the New Member Introductory Period (collectively the “Introductory Period”) is the “Qualification Period”. You will retain your Gold Status during the Qualification Period, but you must make 6 qualifying fuel purchases to qualify for Gold Status for the next 3 months, the “Benefit Period”. During the Benefit Period, you must continue to make 6 qualifying fuel purchases to maintain your Gold Status for the next 3-month Benefit Period. A qualifying fuel purchase is any fuel purchase at a participating Shell station in which you swipe your Fuel Rewards^® card or enter your Alt ID and fill up with at least 5-gallons of any grade of fuel. For example, if you are a new Fuel Rewards^® member and register on 6/15/2017, you will receive Gold Status through the New Member Introductory Period (i.e., 12/31/2017). You will need to fill up with at least 5 gallons of fuel at least 6 times during the Qualification Period (i.e., 10/1/2017 and 12/31/2017) to maintain Gold Status during the Benefit Period (i.e., from 1/1/2018 to 3/31/2018). Thereafter, if you continue to fill up with at least 5 gallons of fuel at least 6 times during the successive 3 consecutive month Benefit Periods, you will retain your Gold Status. If you do not maintain your Gold Status, you will receive Silver Status. With Silver Status, you will receive 3¢/gal in Fuel Rewards^® savings. The 3¢/gal reward for Silver Status will be combined with other rewards in your Fuel Rewards^® account. Redeem Fuel Rewards^® savings with your Fuel Rewards^® card or Alt ID at participating Shell stations. Fuel Rewards^® savings are limited to 20 gallons of fuel per purchase, per vehicle, or fraud limits placed by Shell and/or limits placed on your financial card by your financial institution, each of which may be lower. Fuel Rewards^® savings must be redeemed in a single transaction. Once you begin to dispense fuel using your Fuel Rewards^® savings, you must dispense to the 20-gallon limit or you forfeit any remaining discounted gallons of fuel. For example, if you only pump fifteen (15) gallons of fuel, you would abandon the remaining five (5) gallons of discounted fuel. If you have a rewards balance greater than the current per-gallon price of fuel, the price will roll down to the maximum capability of the fuel equipment, and your remaining rewards will be saved for a future fuel purchase. Dispenser may require a price of up to 10.9¢/gal. It may not be possible to combine multiple discounts and/or rewards in a single transaction. For purchases of $75 or more, please go inside to pay. Unbranded diesel and alternative fuels may not be eligible. The Fuel Rewards^® program is owned and operated by Excentus Corporation. Offer may be modified or discontinued at any time without notice. Not valid where prohibited by law. Please see fuelrewards.com for complete Fuel Rewards^® program details and Terms and Conditions. Other restrictions may apply. All trademarks are the property of their respective owners. To learn more, visit fuelrewards.com/gold or call (888) 603-0473.

Tags: ad, road trip, Shell, travel