Packing for a holiday - how to stay sane?

Baking_Mad

I hate packing for a holiday. I feel totally overwhelmed with the task and every year it's the same. I don't know where to start and get really stressed out thinking I'll forget something.

Has anyone got a good holiday packing checklist I could use please? I've tried looking one up on the net but the only ones I found were pretty basic. I'm packing for 2 adults, 1 child and a toddler.

Thank you in advance

jackieblack

Where are you going?

Beach hol? City sightseeing? Theme parks? Hiking?

Hot climate?
England (in the rain)?


As a general rule:
1. You will probably only need half of what you put out to pack
2. If you do forget something most places have shops

Pee

This is something I need to do for myself. One list which you can then go through and decide what you actually need for this trip. Haing said that I mostly find whilst getting dressed one morning is a good time for me to do it as then I think, oh I need a coffee, yes, I'm going to a travelodge, I need to take some real coffee, I'm using a towel. Will I need a towel? It's usually the morning we are off, though.

If you have the space, put a suitcase somewhere where you can keep popping things in as you think of them. And then empty it to pack properly when you are ready.

Hopefully someone will be along with their list that you can then customise.

Doshwaster

alionaear wrote: »

I hate packing for a holiday. I feel totally overwhelmed with the task and every year it's the same. I don't know where to start and get really stressed out thinking I'll forget something.

Most people get far too stressed about packing. It's just a collection of things you are taking on holiday for a week or two, not all you'll need to survive for the rest of your lives.

So what if you forget something? As long as you have your passport, money and any essential medication then you can always buy when you get there (foreign places do have shops!) or do without. It's not the end of the world.

mcfisco

Easy

For me, for a week - in the bag

Pants - 7
Socks - 0
Shorts - 2
Shoes - 1
Shirts - 7
Hat
Sunglasses
Toothbrush
Razor
Deodorant
Kindle
Reading Glasses
iPhone

Done in about 5 mins :j

carebear13

cant help you out with a checklist as such, but i do to keep myself sane is keep a running list with me at all times from about 4 weeks before of what i need to buy on one side and what i need to pack on the other and when i have a flash of inspiration i add to it, then its not clogging uo my brain.
we are a family of 6 and thank goodness we are not going away this year as the 6th one is only 3 months old.
one really good tip though is vaccuum storage bags for packing.

carebear13

mcfisco- omg i hope i'm not wrong but god you must be a bloke or single or both lol

trolleyrun

Write a list of clothes you'd like to take with for each person. Make sure you can mix and match outfits. Now only pack half of that list, you won't wear it all.

Write a list of other essentials, such as chargers, adapters, nappies, first aid stuff etc

Write a list of toiletries, shampoo, conditioner, creams etc. most likely, you can buy them once you get there, or if you're staying in a hotel, these sometimes get supplied. You'll only need a small amount (unless you're going for a month), so transferring into smaller bottles will save on luggage weight.

Write a list of the real essentials. Tickets/boarding cards/eticket number, passports, money/cards, any paperwork you might need such as confirmation of car hire/days out.

Write a list of what you're taking as hand luggage.

There is a theme here Lists, lists and more lists. It seems boring, but will eliminate some of the stress factor. Also write a list of what needs doing at home before you go, such as stopping the paper, asking someone to keep an eye on the garden, whatever you thinks need doing.

Take a deep breath, pour yourself your favourite beverage and grab a pen & paper. You'll be fine, just keep breathing

busiscoming2

I write a list of the bits n bobs like suncream, camera etc, but we each get our own clothes out and put them in piles (have to help little ones obviously) then my DH packs the cases, spreading the items so that if a case goes missing we all still have some things to wear and use.

Happy Holidays

mcfisco

carebear13 wrote: »

mcfisco- omg i hope i'm not wrong but god you must be a bloke or single or both lol

Well I'm certainly a bloke and the current Mrs Mc will certainly testify that I'm not single at the moment

What's wrong with my list? What else would I need?

Doshwaster

mcfisco wrote: »

Well I'm certainly a bloke and the current Mrs Mc will certainly testify that I'm not single at the moment

What's wrong with my list? What else would I need?

Apart from a charger for your phone, it looks perfect. Seriously, people always pack way too much on holiday. You are there to enjoy yourself not show off your wardrobe to the world.