We’ve all been there. You leave for vacation in 2 days and you haven’t even got the luggage from the attic yet. Instead of running around like a crazy person, we’ve put together a few tips and tricks to make packing less of a nightmare.
1.Make A List
It may seem like a no brainer, but by making a list of everything you need for your trip, it will make packing that much easier. Start this process about a week before you need to start packing. This will give you plenty of time to think about everything you’ll be doing on vacation so you can pack accordingly. Remember, only pack what you NEED. Do you really need 4 pairs of shoes for a weekend trip? Probably not. Think about every activity you’ll be doing while on vacation and planning your packing list around those activities. If for some reason you find yourself with nothing but dirty clothes and you still have a few days left of vacation, see if your hotel has laundry service. This will also make unpacking a breeze when you get home.
2. Tissue Paper
If you’re packing fragile items, or even jewelry, try wrapping those items with tissue paper. You can really only use the tissue paper once or twice, depending on the thickness of the paper. And, if you’re stranded somewhere…you’ve got tissue paper…just in case.
3. Roll Don’t Fold
When it comes to fitting everything in your bag, space is limited. So make the most use of that space by rolling your clothes, rather than folding. Simply fold your clothes like normal, then roll them up from the bottom, to the top. You’ll be shocked at how much more you can fit in your luggage. This will also work well at home if you tend to find yourself cramming extra shirts in your drawers. Backpackers swear by this method and if it’s good enough for them, it should be good enough for us!
4.Airline Baggage Policies
If you’re flying to your destination, this part is just as important as this list we were talking about earlier. Several airlines have baggage limits and/ or baggage fees. Many airlines only allow you to check one bag for domestic flights. This research should actually play a critical role in deciding which airline to choose. Southwest is an example of an airline that permits at least one FREE checked bag on domestic flights.
5.Multi-use Outfits
If you can rock the same outfit twice while on vacation…DO IT! It’s one less thing to pack and if you’re staying somewhere with laundry facilities, you can even wash the outfit between uses! If you’ve got pants that have the zip-off legs for shorts…bang…you’ve just packed pants for 2 occasions.
6.Road Trip Must Have’s
If you’ve decided to opt for a road trip, there are a few things to pack that will make it more enjoyable. Obviously, luggage policies is less of an issue when in your own vehicle, just don’t over pack and only bring the essentials. If you pack too much, you won’t have room to bring home those awesome souvenirs! Also, think about packing a cooler of drinks and snacks. It will save money and be more convenient than stopping every time you crave chocolate or a soda. Be sure you load up your MP3 player full of songs that everyone will enjoy. Depending on your route, you may not pick up radio stations, so having the MP3 player may save your sanity.
7.Use Those Shoes
Look at all the room inside your shoes! Fill those bad boys up with socks, underwear, or even tissue wrapped jewelry. Utilize all the free space you can when packing!
Extra Shoe Tip: Put your shoes inside of shower caps. This will prevent the dirt and nastiness from your shoes to spread to your clean clothes while in your suit case.
8.Pill Bottles
This one might sound crazy, but it really works. If you have some old pill bottles, you can fill them up with lotion, shampoo or even q-tips. It’s cheaper than buying the travel size bottles at the big box stores and it’s a great way to recycle those old bottles!
9.Pot Holders
Go to the kitchen and grab an extra (square) pot holder. You can put your hair straightener or curling iron inside the pot holder, and roll it up. It’s perfect even if your straightener or curler is still hot.
Other blogs you might be interested in…
6 Ways To Stay Fit on Vacation
7 Tips For Traveling Alone
Best Apps For Roadtrips
