Everything you need in your bag this festive season – from the loungewear to the headphones, plus the bag to carry your swag in.

There are many things we love about the holidays. The food, the gifts and, of course, the day drinking, to name a few. But with all this merriness also comes the inevitable: spending time with your relatives. Maybe it’s a great uncle who enjoys taking his teeth out at the dinner table, or a semi-alcoholic aunt who likes to say (and do) inappropriate things; or maybe it’s your “adorable” niece who likes to use you as a climbing frame. Whoever – or whatever – it is that makes the holidays a little more trying for you, it’s important to be prepared for the occasion, which is why we have collated the following packing list for you. Scroll down for the items that will help keep your stress levels to a minimum this festive season (and no, it isn’t just a list of alcohol).

Firstly, you need a stylish bag in which to pack these essential items. For this, we suggest Filson’s leather-trimmed duffle bag. It’s so well-made that it has a lifetime guarantee, which makes it perfect for visiting your brother who has just got a new puppy, and it meets airline carry-on restrictions, for those of you flying to your destination. Within it, as well as your clothes, we would recommend packing a few distracting treats, such as this Fornasetti candle, which not only has a refreshing scent of thyme and lavender, but is emblazoned with a celebratory illustration of a monkey cracking open some champagne. Present this to your host upon arrival, and you’ll get the whole thing off to a convivial and appreciative start.

It’s widely known that Christmas day is ultimately a day of lounging – from when you wake up in the morning and head downstairs to sit around opening gifts, to when you retire back to the sofa after a long day of eating and drinking. That’s why we recommend packing the above items. This Cleverly Laundry robe is ideal for when you’re inevitably dragged out of bed by an excitable five-year-old at six o’clock the morning, and these J. Crew sweatpants have an elasticated waist – making them the perfect post-feasting attire.

The final items we recommend packing are a set of headphones and an eye mask. Not only are they the perfect travel companions, but they’re also great for when you’re completely jingled out and need a little alone time (shortly after the fourth showing of Frozen, perhaps?). Bowers & Wilkins’ P5 headphones are designed to suppress external noise, making them a choice option for blocking out the relatives; and Armand Diradourian’s eye mask is made from soft cashmere and silk – perfect for when you need a little soothing.