Boston 
Have Someone Collect Your Mail
Having your mail build up while you’re away is a sure-fire sign to would-be burglars that the house is unattended and therefore a good prospect for them. This is particularly true around the holidays, when many people are away and therefore burglars are very much on the lookout for signs like these. Not to mention, having your mail pile up in your mail box may mean something gets damaged or goes missing and you miss an important piece of correspondence.
Therefore, it is essential to arrange for a trusted neighbor, friend or family member to pick up your mail and give it to you on your return.
Make sure your pets are taken care of
Another important thing to arrange before you go off on your holiday vacation is to make sure someone will be looking after your pets. Depending on the kind of pet you have (and how highly strung they are) you may want to arrange for someone to stay at your place and “pet sit”.
If you do not have anyone you know who can do this, there are even websites that connect pet sitters with those in need. If this is not a viable option, you could board your pet at a boarding kennel or cattery, though be aware that these tend to book out over the holidays so be sure to arrange well in advance.
If you have a lower maintenance pet, you may be able to simply get someone to come in and feed them daily.
Look after your yard
Even in the winter months, your yard requires constant maintenance. If you are going away for a longer period, that is, longer than one week, your yard could get out of control in that time.
Before going on vacation, pre-arrange for a company or contractor to come and mow your lawn, trim your hedges and take care of any other odd jobs. If you live in a warm or dry climate, make sure your yard doesn’t dry out by setting automatic sprinklers to run regularly while you’re away.
Be sure your passport is up to date
If you’re going to be heading overseas for the holidays, probably the most important thing to remember is your passport; after all, you simply can’t travel without it!
Well in advance of your trip (not the night before!) check the expiry of your passport and arrange for a replacement if necessary.
Keep in mind that many countries require a minimum of 6 months validity before they will admit you.
Also remember that passport agencies get busier around peak travel times such as the holidays, so allow for extra processing time.
Get any necessary vaccinations
Also if you are heading overseas, be aware that some destinations may require you to have specific vaccinations to protect you from particular diseases which are present there.
Not to mention that you don’t want to get sick and ruin your well-earned vacation! Some shots take a while to come into effect so it is a good idea to visit a doctor at least 4-6 weeks before you travel to check what you need.
