PACKING ESSENTIALS 101: TRAVEL LIGHT, TRAVEL PREPARED

July 2017

Do you enjoy packing for the holidays? Most people don’t, as it can seem like an endless task and not only that but you are never sure whether you have everything or not, so I wanted to create a list of loads of packing tips that can really help make things easier for you this summer, or indeed for any holiday you go on from now on.

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• How long are you going for? You will need to pack a lot of the same stuff whether you are going for a day or a month – i.e. clothes/toiletries/entertainment/documents and money/medical – but the quantities will be different. Knowing how many days you need to pack for will help when it comes to knowing how much of everything you need, so you don’t over – or under – pack.

• Check what the temperature/culture etc.. is of where you are going – and then you can pack accordingly (if you need to cover up more where you are going then you need to know before you pack 10 bikinis). It’s always worth checking just before you go as well in case the place you are going is currently having some unseasonal weather.

• What space will you have available? Are you flying? do you want to just carry on or have other luggage, are you taking the car? etc…. get to grips with the space first and you will then know what you are working with

• Write a checklist of everything you will need. This will help you to understand what you will be packing, and also hopefully ensure you don’t find something that needs washing/dry cleaning/mending etc… at the last minute. Add categories such as clothes, toiletries, entertainment, underwear, swimming/fitness, shoes, food etc….

• Get the whole family involved in packing – it’s not just one persons job, and they will then also see what constraints there are on what you can take etc…

• Keep your checklist next to your bag as you pack – and cross out each item – that way you will know what’s left to add (this is especially useful when you are using things right up to the last minute such as toothbrushes).

• Keep your checklist inside your suitcase – and circle what you used when you get back – this will give you a much better idea of what to pack the next time and you will start to make life easier and easier the more you go away

• Plan what you are going to wear and need while traveling – it is often best to wear layers so you can be comfortable whatever the temperature (especially useful if you are going for a hot to a cold country), and if you are traveling overnight you may need your toiletries close to hand rather than in your main suitcase. If you are flying then you may want to consider wearing your heavier clothes (jeans for example) as these won’t count towards your baggage weight.

• Are you carrying your luggage far? Use a suitcase ** with wheels whenever possible as they are just easier to move around

• ​Don’t leave things until the last minute – start buying what you need as soon as possible before you go (at least 3 weeks) as this will save last minute emergencies

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