The holidays often conjure visions of pies and presents, but for many travelers they also stir up feelings of anxiety and dread. Reports of storms threaten your hopes of spending time with the family gathered around a crackling fire. And of course, there are the inevitable crowds at airport security that make the queues outside the Apple Store the day of a new iPhone release seem like the express line at the grocery store.

Now there's not much you can do about the weather, but there are a few best practices that will help you and your gadgets cruise through airport security and get to your final destination as efficiently as possible.

1. Travel Light
Try to pare down what you pack. Do you really need to bring your laptop? If you're going to visit family or friends you'll want to disconnect and spend your time with them mindfully anyway. (If you are visiting awful in-laws, then yes, you probably do want to bring your laptop to "work.")

2. Remember Your Charger
After carefully considering which electronics you actually need, you'll kick yourself if you forget to bring their chargers. "Get Organized" author Jill Duffy suggests carrying your chargers in your purse or primary carry-on, wrapped in a bright-colored Velcro strap you can easily spot when you peer into your bag.

3. Always Carry On Important Electronics
"When possible, do not pack oversized electronics (laptops, full-size video game consoles, DVD players, and video cameras that use cassettes) in checked baggage," warns the TSA. The last thing you want is to arrive at your destination to find the suitcase containing your new PS4 didn't survive the trip. (Did you really need to bring it? See previous step.)

Keep in mind large devices will need to be removed from carry-on bags and placed in separate bins for X-ray screening. To streamline the process, keep them in easily accessible pockets of your bag.

4. Buy a "Checkpoint Friendly" Laptop Bag
Better yet, invest in a "checkpoint friendly" laptop bag. The TSA has approved several styles that provide an unobstructed image of the laptop as it goes through screening so you don't have to remove it from the bag—though there's no guarantee.

5. Smaller Electronics Can Remain in Carry-On Bags
Your smartphone, tablet, Kindle, and MP3 player can and should sit tight in your carry-on bag while they pass through X-ray screening. It's one less thing you have to remember to collect on the other side as you lace up your shoes and rethread your belt, plus they won't be on display to sticky-fingered fellow travelers.

Is the process still too slow for you? TSA Pre✓™ is an initiative granting pre-approved fliers on participating airlines "expedited screening benefits." This means you can use dedicated screening lanes; keep your shoes, light jackets, and belts on; and leave laptops and 3-1-1 compliant liquids in carry-on bags. Learn more about the extensive application process here.