Packing - why do I always do this?

[gotmychocolateimgood]

Every year when I pack my case and the kids' for our holiday I think we need more clothes than we do. It doesn't all get worn. I think we are going to spend most of our time in swim wear but I've still counted out 14 tops and 7 shorts for each of us plus a couple of cropped trousers and hoodies for the evening. 4 swimsuits each. Toiletries etc.

I've achieved my objective and the cases are neat, sufficient and under the baggage allowance. Why am I panicking we won't have enough stuff??

2 week holiday, hotel, in a complex with a pool and near beaches. Relaxed dress code. No washing machine.

[FuckAPotNoodle]

Somewhere hot? You can handwaah anything you need.

Less is more - I did a week abroad for two on hand luggage only and didn’t suffer for it at all.

[gotmychocolateimgood]

Ah thank you, that's the kind of reply I need!

I think it's because as babies the DCs needed the kitchen sink packing. Now they're out of nappies the luggage seems so compact! Also when we rent a cottage in the UK I generally choose a property with a washing machine. I have travel wash at o that's fine.

I have still packed 22 pairs of pants for myself. Quite possibly I have issues 😂

[vanessalightfoot]

No answers but I do the same. I know full well there is more in the case than we need, but I just like having the choice

[gotmychocolateimgood]

At home I like the security of my washing machine.

I used to pack stuff that didn't fit very well or I didn't like. I've got over that issue now but still find comfort in having lots of stuff with us!

[BertieBotts]

14 tops and 7 trousers for 2 weeks?? I would pack about 6 tops and 4 trousers if I knew defo no access to washing machine. 14/15 underwear. What do you think will happen to the extra 8 pairs of pants?? :o

We don't even own 4 swimsuits each :o

[Ilikeanimalsmorethanpeople]

We are in Amsterdam at the moment on a 5 day break and I have packed about 15 pairs of pants...clearly I am expecting to have a VERY good time I always do this I think in my mind I have the room in my case so I must use it all up.

[OhMyGodTheyKilledKenny]

My downfall is packing things "just in case".

So for example.... going somewhere where the forecast is 30-35 degrees during the day and still mid 20s at night I'll still pack a couple of light cardigans/hoodies, a pair of long trousers etc for everyone "just in case" it gets chilly.

Did exactly that a couple of weeks ago

[BrienneofTarthILoveYou]

I do exactly the same Op but as long as there's room in our cases then I don't worry about it

[Isawthesignanditopenedupmyeyes]

We’ve just had a week in Spain and travelled with a rucksack each as I refused to pay Ryanair baggage prices! 2 adults and 2 kids, still brought stuff back unworn!

[ReasonedCamper]

14 tops for each person? That’s a huge amount of packing! I work on about 3 wears for a too: once for smart, once medium and then as a beach top.

[dimsum123]

I don't even have 14 tops! I have about 5 so I pack those. Have 2 costumes so pack those. I pair of jeans and about 5 dresses. I would take about 18 pairs of pants though!

[gotmychocolateimgood]

[gotmychocolateimgood]

My kids are messy eaters so they rarely wear anything more than once!

In their hand luggage I want to put some things to do eg pack of cards, top trumps, colouring book. Short flight so they won't need much in there. Just for when we are in the hotel in the evenings so they can keep busy.

[gotmychocolateimgood]

Last year we did center parcs in the Netherlands and there was a ski centre so we all brought salopettes etc,gloves etc. A few bits for self catering. A pair of St kus and boots, we hired the rest. Coats as weather was unpredictable. We did have the car which gives me almost free reign to load up...

So in comparison this is still a very small amount of luggage! (keeps digging)

[TSSDNCOP]

I take as much as I can physically get in my suitcase. Then I divide everything between 3 cases in case one gets lost.

If I pay for 20kg, then 20kg is going.

[gotmychocolateimgood]

We have 15kg each in the hold.
My case weighs 14kg and each of the DCs' weighs 10kg. They are too big for the cabin, I did measure them but they are too deep. DH does his own. He's taken the kids out today so I can focus on packing!

Still need to add
Medication
Chargers
Extension lead
Gro clock!!

[DrDiva]

Yes, I am currently sitting in an airport waiting to board, having consigned our 30 kilos of luggage to the hold. Trouble is, DS is at that age where a top might do him two days, or he might get through 3 in one day. We’ve also brought loads of toys for the pool, and what feels like a full library - he gets through mega numbers of books and puzzles!

I dream of pre-kid when I travelled with hand luggage only.

[Stompythedinosaur]

I'm a big believer in packing light and sticking a bottle of travel wash in my case. It takes minutes to hand wash a day's items and hang them over the side of the bath, and doesn't bother me. Lugging around big cases of stuff is a pain.

[Justneedaflippingtemporaryname]

I think underwear is probably the thing you can't pack too much of. If it's a hot country you'll barely have any clothes on anyway

[gotmychocolateimgood]

They don't look like big cases to me... Medium! I could never go with just a cabin bag. I respect anyone who can, I would panic I wouldn't have enough of everything. Last time we flew we took full advantage of the 20kg each, I'm ashamed to say. That included nappies and swim nappies, lots of toys. We don't need as much now as kids are older. We are hiring pool towels from the hotel instead of bringing our own which helps a bit.

[gotmychocolateimgood]

Not mega hot, 22 degrees ish so warm

[youarenotkiddingme]

I'm the same! Still only take about 15kg each including toiletries and suncream!

I even take waterproof coats! But for anyone who's ever travelled to Southern Europe will know if you have a storm - they are epic

I take a set of shorts and t shirt for each day plus 3 spares. Plus cover ups for hotel pool and 3-4 casual dresses for the evening.

I also take about 10 pairs of pants for 6 days (because I have pair I travel there in and pair I take for traveling home!)

But when you go on a holiday which will involve beach, zoo, water park etc it makes sense. The clothes get dirty easily and hand washing leaves creases and it's possible you'll need a t shirt instead of vest top or something gets spilt.

However I do also always come home with clean clothes and think I've overpacked - again - every single year

[PassMeAnotherCoffee]

My kids don't have 14 tops and 7 pairs of trousers! But then we mainly holiday in the UK in places with a washing machine .

[gotmychocolateimgood]

Yes, we are planning to go out and about most days. Beaches, zoo, parks etc. Other days we might stay at the pool. But it won't be baking hot and we won't be in the pool constantly. I think in the evening we will need jumpers and trousers,temp will be 14 degrees at the coolest.

For a pool in boiling hot sun holiday I would try to pack less (but probably fail!)

[NancyJoan]

I would do the same, OP. Hot weather, sun cream, ice cream etc, I wouldn’t expect clothes to do more that one wear.