Packing for a holiday - how to stay sane?

Ich_2

Make the other adult pack their own kit, myself and the OH haver always looked after our own packing even if sharing a case!

Baking_Mad

Thanks very much everybody.

I've decided to make my list tomorrow night (armed with the glass of wine!) and this time I'll type it up and keep it for future reference.

I'll split it into 4 categories:

clothes
toiletries
electricals
travel essentials

Thanks very much again for your advice

Bob_the_Saver

mrcow wrote: »

Soap?

Toothpaste?

They do sell it 'abroad'

mrcow

Bob_the_Saver wrote: »

They do sell it 'abroad'

Yes that's right. Because the first thing I always want to do when I arrive at a destination is start looking for somewhere to buy toothpaste. What's the point when I can just take a tube out of my cupboard at home and stick it in the case?

Mr_Wang

Last week my son went to a place in the UK for some adventure break with school. It robbed me of almost £200 and was a blatant PTA on the scam money making job.

Anyway, the list for him, for 2 nights was more than I take for three of us back packing for up to 4 months at a time.

Fact is people do my head in - Particularly old people, but also people that are going on a 2 hour flight and think it's long haul and discussing how their kids could ever cope like they are the first to ever fly... Dont even start me off on the short flight to East coast USA.

- People that are going on holiday for a fortnight thinking of hiring an entourage and a few skips for all their luggage - Get a grip will you, pack some skiddies, a pair of shorts, a few t shirts and get on with it.

- People that think the UK is the only place on earth that actually sells stuff. "Im going to Benidorm, I need to take a whole bathroom cabinet...Are there even shops there" Actually England is the most backward country Ive known.

- People that are going on holiday for half an hour but worry themselves stupid about saving a quid on the exchange rate.

- People that have to plan every second of the trip like they are some kind of boss. The holiday becomes a chore!

- People that advise on places they've never been to, or been to once. Like they are some kind of authority.

- People that talk about Tenerife/Europe like its some kind of tropical getaway hidden in the South Pacific behind a palm tree.

- People that book with a travel agent then complain they have been scammed......Obviously!

But look, it's a holiday, get on with it. Stop worrying, stop moaning. You're not the first person to go on holiday and you wont be the last.

- And truck drivers. Idiots.

mrcow

Whoa there with the anger flare up. Have you taken your pills?

Many of us on here are pretty hardcore travellers. Depending on where you're going, thinking about what you need to take can make the difference between having a comfortable time and a complete nightmare. Not all destinations will sell what you need. Particularly if you're not going to a common destination. And particularly if you have very young children.

mgdavid

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?

boardies and rashies.
the sunglasses are sheer poser-value however, ditch 'em !

Mr_Wang

mrcow wrote: »

Whoa there with the anger flare up. Have you taken your pills?

Many of us on here are pretty hardcore travellers. Depending on where you're going, thinking about what you need to take can make the difference between having a comfortable time and a complete nightmare. Not all destinations will sell what you need. Particularly if you're not going to a common destination. And particularly if you have very young children.

I've travelled the world with kids, alone.

To places people didn't even know existed, to villages so deep in countries, so untouched by westerners I have made the front page of the local paper just for being there.

http://www.scribd.com/doc/33917922/25-06-2010-Paper-Cutting-2

http://www.scribd.com/doc/33917810/25-06-2010-Paper-Cutting-1

The only thing I have ever struggled to get is sun tan lotion.

http://thesummerholidayofalifetime.blogspot.co.uk/

mrcow

If you've travelled alone with kids, then you'll know the importance of packing intelligently.

Miss_Havisham

I'm with trolleyrun - lists and lots of 'em, arranged within a spreadsheet. I include jobs to be done before departure then "shade" them when done !