For some people, October is just October. For me, October means one thing:
Christmas is coming. And it's time to start thinking about going home.
As a Borneo working mom living in KL, going home for Christmas is not something I can decide at the last minute. I can't simply wake up in December and say, “Okay, let's go home!”, I am not that rich YET! And, there’s work to consider, there’s annual leave to apply, there’s the flight budget, there’s my husband's schedule, there’s my son's school holiday. And, of course, there’s the flight ticket.
So every year when October comes, I start looking at flights. Not necessarily because I want to book immediately. But because I want to know what I'm dealing with.
Why Christmas Planning Starts in October
Living far away from home changes the way you think about holidays. When your family is only a short drive away, going home can feel spontaneous. But when home is in Borneo and you're living in KL, going home takes planning. And Christmas is one of those times when I really want to be home.
I want to see my family, I want to eat the food I grew up with, I want to spend time with the people I don't get to see every day, I want my son to experience Christmas with our family back home. So even though December is still months away, my mind has already started planning.
October is when the countdown begins.
How I Start Planning My Christmas Flight
I'm not a flight expert, but after travelling between KL and Borneo, I've learned a few things that help me plan. These are the things I usually do when I start looking for our Christmas flight.
1. I start checking flight prices in October
I don't wait until December. By October, I already have a rough idea of when I want to travel. I start checking the prices so I can understand the current fare. Sometimes I see a price and think:
“Hmm... okay, maybe I'll monitor this first.”
Other times, if the price fits my budget and the schedule works, I don't overthink it. Because during peak travel periods, waiting for a magical last-minute deal isn't something I want to depend on.
2. I check different travel dates
This is one of the first things I do. Instead of searching only one exact date, I check a few dates before and after. For example, if I want to fly on 23 December, I'll also look at 21, 22, 24 December and so on.
If my annual leave allows me to move the trip by a day or two, sometimes I can find a better fare. Of course, as a working mom, flexibility isn't always easy.
But even one day can be worth checking.
3. I use Google Flights to compare and track prices
I like using Google Flights when I'm still in the planning stage. I can compare different dates, airlines and flight times. I can also turn on price tracking so I don't have to keep checking manually. This is especially useful when I'm not ready to book yet but want to know if the fare changes.
4. I compare the total cost, not just the advertised fare
This is important. Sometimes the first price you see looks amazing. Then you start adding:
Checked baggage
Seat selection
Other additional fees
And suddenly the “cheap” ticket isn't quite so cheap anymore. So I always try to compare the final cost.
Especially when travelling with a child. For me, a flight isn't really cheaper if I have to spend a lot more later just to make the journey practical.
5. I compare return tickets with separate one-way tickets
I don't automatically assume that a return ticket is the best deal. Sometimes I'll compare:
Return ticket: Airline A
versus
Going: Airline A
Returning: Airline B
I look at the total price, baggage allowance and flight schedule. But if the difference is small, I'll also consider which option is less stressful for the family. Because saving a little money isn't always worth making the journey much more difficult.
6. I check the airline's website before booking
If I find a flight through a comparison website, I like to check the airline's official website too. I compare the final price, baggage allowance, flight timing and fare conditions. Sometimes it's also easier to understand exactly what I'm getting when I look directly at the airline's booking page.
7. I have a budget in mind
This is probably my biggest “hack.” Before I get too excited about a flight, I think about how much I'm actually comfortable spending. Because the Christmas budget isn't only about flights.
There's also:
Christmas shopping.
Gifts.
Food.
Transportation.
Activities with family.
And all the little expenses that come with going home.
So I don't want to spend so much on the flight that I end up worrying about money throughout December.
8. I don't wait forever for the perfect price
This one is difficult. Sometimes I see a fare and think:
“Maybe tomorrow it will be cheaper.”
Then tomorrow comes...And it's more expensive. There is no guarantee that waiting will give me a better price. So when I find a fare that fits my budget, the travel dates work and the overall cost makes sense for our family, I'm willing to book it. For me, the goal isn't necessarily to find the cheapest flight in the world. It's to find a flight that is affordable, practical and suitable for our family.
Going Home Isn't Just a Holiday
I think this is the part people sometimes don't understand about living far away from home. When we travel back to Borneo for Christmas, it isn't simply another holiday.
It's going home.
It's seeing family after being away.
It's eating the food that tastes like childhood.
It's hearing familiar voices.
It's catching up on everything we've missed.
It's letting my son spend time with family.
And maybe that's why I don't mind starting the planning in October.
Because I'm not really planning a holiday.
I'm planning our way home.
So, If You're Also Living Far From Home...
If you're a Borneo working mom living in KL, or anywhere far away from your hometown, maybe October is your reminder too.
Check your leave, look at your dates, start checking flight prices, compare different options, set your travel budget. And don't forget to think about the whole trip, not just the ticket price. You don't have to book immediately if you're not ready.
But knowing your options early can make December feel a little less stressful.Because when home is far away, going home takes a little planning. And honestly?
I'm okay with that. Because after months of working, school, traffic, deadlines and everyday life... There's something really special about knowing that in December, we're going home.
October is when we start planning.
December is when we finally get to go home.
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