16. Actor, designer, and Wes Anderson muse Waris Alhuwalia’s secret sauce for bright, never-puffy eyes? Preparation H and ice water.

17. Ankari, meanwhile, sprays himself with Downy Wrinkle Release to erase creases after hours of sitting still. 

18. The end of the year is the best time to take advantage of airline status-matching offers,  such as what Delta is currently offering. Jumping onto a new loyalty program now means you’ll get the benefits through the end of 2020—instead of just this year.

19. Considering train travel? Author Monisha Rajesh, who trekked 45,000 miles while writing the book Around the World in 80 Trains, suggests checking Seat61.com—“the Google for train lovers.” The site compares everything from routes to pricing data to amenities, all under one roof.

20. Peripatetic traveler Alford wants to make sure you never get taken for a ride again. “Email your hotel before you arrive and ask what the average price is for a taxi from the airport,” she advises. Knowing that price will help you dispute an inflated number. “If you get to the hotel, and the meter is unbelievably high, refuse to pay for it—or call the cops,” she says.

21. Designer Alhuwalia says a pack of playing cards isn’t just for entertainment—it’s also great for learning a new language. (You can practice your numbers, at the very least.) He uses them to converse with seatmates from other countries of origin, but the strategy is just as good around a newly cleared dining table—especially if you’re considering a 2020 family holiday to, say, España or Deutschland.

22. Palepu, the author, turned us on to Libro.fm, a sort of indie Audible that supports indie bookstores. Just add headphones.

23. Want to plan a perfect day exploring as a plugged-in tourist, whether you’re in your hometown or somewhere new? Try out Journy, which creates a custom-tailored itinerary in most major cities for as little as $25.

24. Out of ideas? Have a pencil? Or a makeup brush you don’t mind washing out later? Order coffee or a glass of wine and start making art. The beverages are your paint, says Alison Mosshart, frontwoman of the Kills.

25. Splurging on a gift for yourself—or for someone on your holiday list? Try swiping that plastic abroad. The VAT savings on a very big-ticket item, such as a Birkin bag, can offset the cost of an entire weekend in Paris, says master chef Eric Ripert.