Packing For Your Vacation

Ok, so I have a type A personality and need to be organized. Yes, I was one of those kids who finished school papers before they were due. Yes, I am like the boy scouts- always prepared.

I am also one of those people who is finished packing days before my trip.
Why-because I’m always afraid I’ll forget something.
How- by using a list and checking off each item as it goes in the suit case.

I’ve been doing this for years- as soon as I learned how to use Excel- and I just update my list as needed. I have 2 lists- one for clothing and the other for non clothing items, like toiletries, medications, cameras, beach towels and more.

I took a brief survey of my social networking contacts to see if I was strange or if there were other people in the world who used the list and packed way in advance.

Survey says:
52% of all those who responded were the last minute packers (pretty evenly split between male and female)
24% were like me- use a list and packs in advance (more than twice as many females vs. males use lists)
24% were the” pack slowly, gathering all they need in advance so there is no stress” type. Almost all were females (and I would imagine that most were packing for the entire family!)

Be prepared with a toiletries kit
I wish I could say that I am offered vacations on a moment’s notice but, the truth is, I have a toiletries kit ready to go simply because it is easier to keep my travel toiletries in one place. I use a hanging toiletries bag (easy to hook onto the back of a bathroom door) filled with all of the things that I would use daily and just leave them in the bag so it is ready for the next trip. This way I know that if the toothpaste is running low after a trip, I just put a new one in and I’ll be ready for the next vacation.

Megan M. from NJ offered this tip: keep a shoe box filled with travel sized toiletries handy so when you are traveling they will be all in one spot and easy to pack.

Les S. from California is one of the most organized gentlemen I have come across. He offered these tips:

1. Keep your toiletry bag packed and stored for quick retrieval, (most manufacturers have travel-sizes of their products, compact and enough product for 1-2 weeks)
2. Have a small sheet of paper inside the toiletry bag that lists all the stuff that goes inside the toiletry bag

He also went so far to include these tips:

3. Have a list inside the suitcase that lists the minimum amount of stuff needed in the suitcase. Takes 60 seconds to verify the contents of the toiletry bag, and 5 minutes or less to pack the minimums for the suitcase. Another 10 minutes, or so, to pack the remainder of items specific to this trip, and Bam, you're ready to go.

Also, never pack for more than 8 days. Chances are, if you are going to be away for more than 8 days, you will be stationary long enough to wash laundry.

Love it- leave it to a man to be able to pack like this. One day, I may get to that point but in the mean time:

Start off with a list of basics
Regardless of the type of vacation, you will still need the basics in clothing (underwear, socks, shirts, pants and shoes) and the basic toiletries (toothbrush and toothpaste, make up, hair items, medications, etc).

I use an Excel table to list the items and the names of the travelers in columns. I will check off each item as I put them aside for each traveler. This always came in handy when we were traveling with the kids and I still use it when it is just the 2 of us. I have plenty of room on the bottom and sides of the spread sheet to add things as I need them but I always use the same basic list.

Plan your days
Depending on what type of vacation you are taking, your clothing needs will vary. Something I find that helps enormously is to plan out your clothing needs per day.

Just a for instance:
You are going on a 7 night cruise and there will be 2 dressy dinners and 5 casual dinners. Since we cruise frequently, I already have a space on my clothing list for the # of nights that will require dressy clothes and casual clothes. I’ll handwrite in the outfit for the evening plus shoes, plus jewelry, plus accessories so that way, I have something planned out for each dinner and I can pack everything together.

I am a bit less organized for the daytime attire since it can be a combo of shorts or pants, tops or bathing suits and cover ups. Knowing a rough idea of what you need on a daily basis will help you organize your clothes and pack accordingly. If you are planning to go horseback riding, you will know to pack long pants. If you are planning to go hiking, you will know to pack appropriate shoes. If you are just planning on relaxing at the beach for the entire vacation, you will know that you need x # of bathing suits and cover ups and your favorite flip flops. Planning out your days will make packing a bit easier.

Split your clothes into 2 different suit cases
This is probably my most important tip. If you are traveling with someone and you can split your clothes into 2 suitcases, instead of packing all of yours in one and all of theirs in another, you will have clothes to wear if one of the suitcases is lost or delayed. I can’t tell you how many times this came in handy!

Pack a complete change of clothes in a carry on
Sounds pretty self explanatory, right? If you luggage is lost, at least you will have clean clothes to wear the next day, while you are waiting for the luggage to be found. This is so important when you have connecting flights, where the chance of lost luggage increases.

Use zippered plastic bags
I don’t know about you, but if my luggage is being searched, I don’t want the TSA people touching my undies, so I pack them in zip lock bags. They can see what is inside and they don’t need to touch them. I know, I’m strange but this also makes it easier to unpack. I can just take the whole bag and put it in the drawer. I do the same for socks.

Just a few of my packing tips.
I hope you found a couple useful. You can find more travel tips on my website,
www.myvacationlady.com
Click on Travel Resources

Good travels!