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Original poster

Holiday tips please?

58 replies

CoolPlayer · 11/07/2025 16:28

Any tips to make a holiday go a smoothly as possible? On my packing list along side the usual stuff is a steamer for clothing and folding travel pegs 😂 any other suggestions? Any tips to make the whole travelling with children go as smoothly as possible? I hate flying so any suggestions for light hearted books that will keep me busy would also be great! Thanks :)

OP posts:
JMSA · 12/07/2025 08:06

Bobnobob · 11/07/2025 21:53

Packing cubes are game changers! I pack them with the outfits for me and the kids that we need each day. So on day 1 I open cube 1 and there are all of our outfits that we need that day. At the end of the day they can go back in that cube dirty. Separate cubes for swimming stuff and sun protection, nightwear and toothbrushes.

The trick is to spend hours packing so there is absolutely no effort or thought required on holiday. We do only go for a week though- any longer and at least one wash would be required.

also fuck steaming stuff! Just don’t wear clothes that require it.

See, I thought about buying those. But then decided they’d actually take up more space than just rolling or folding my clothes.
Sorry, but I remain unconvinced on them 😁

brunettemic · 11/07/2025 22:20

Don’t forget your clothes, that steamer will be useless otherwise.

Bobnobob · 11/07/2025 21:53

Packing cubes are game changers! I pack them with the outfits for me and the kids that we need each day. So on day 1 I open cube 1 and there are all of our outfits that we need that day. At the end of the day they can go back in that cube dirty. Separate cubes for swimming stuff and sun protection, nightwear and toothbrushes.

The trick is to spend hours packing so there is absolutely no effort or thought required on holiday. We do only go for a week though- any longer and at least one wash would be required.

also fuck steaming stuff! Just don’t wear clothes that require it.

Rainbowqueeen · 11/07/2025 21:46

With the flight make sure you book seats together. Take a few snacks.

If you give sone idea of where you are going, what type of accommodation you have and the ages of the DC we can give much more useful tips.

EstaGo · 11/07/2025 21:38

MonsterasEverywhere · 11/07/2025 17:35

Whenever I've gone on holiday I take a little torch with me and put it next to the bed, that way I know I can find some form of lighting in an unfamiliar place.

Or use the torcch built into your mobile phone.

TheChosenTwo · 11/07/2025 21:37

Sorry @JMSA I’ve said exactly the same thing as you 😂 I couldn’t read on after that post and had to say it as soon as I thought it 😂

TheChosenTwo · 11/07/2025 21:36

Elbowpatch · 11/07/2025 17:46

We save money on adapters by only holidaying in places that use the same plugs as the UK.

Show quote history

This sounds like a Viz Top Tip 😂😂

JMSA · 11/07/2025 21:33

Elbowpatch · 11/07/2025 17:46

We save money on adapters by only holidaying in places that use the same plugs as the UK.

Show quote history

Ha ha ha, this has to be a joke. Like one of the Viz top tips!
If not, Poundland sell travel adaptors 😄

YorkshirePuddingsGreatestFan · 11/07/2025 20:06

Take a plastic bag in case you have anything wet to bring home.

We'd been swimming the day before and the towels were still damp the next morning. I just chucked them in the case.

Then we were hit with flight disruption due to a combination of the weather and a big IT fault. We managed to get home but our cases didn't. It took six days before they arrived at our house.

Everything was rather fragrant when I opened the case 😬

TiramisuQueenoftheFairies · 11/07/2025 19:38

SophiaSW1 · 11/07/2025 19:03

Pegs are not insane if you’re staying in a hotel and want to dry your swim stuff on the balcony wash line. Otherwise it can blow off in the wind.

I have a washing line with integrated pegs - a bit like an extended octopus cable with a hook on each end.... it's only about a metre long but is great for hanging stuff to dry in the shower or on the balcony. I think it came from Flying Tiger.... apologies but this was the only illustration I could find.

https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61733stWUrL.AC_SL1228.jpg

https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61733stWUrL._AC_SL1228_.jpg

SophiaSW1 · 11/07/2025 19:03

Pegs are not insane if you’re staying in a hotel and want to dry your swim stuff on the balcony wash line. Otherwise it can blow off in the wind.

Gduonloudc · 11/07/2025 18:44

Earplugs. Horrible to not be able to sleep due to unexpected noise

Squidgemoon · 11/07/2025 18:36

A steamer and pegs is insane. I would never take either! But I don’t even iron clothes at home, so ….

I always take some teabags so I’ve got the ones I like, and yes to the adapters with multiple USB ports in them. I take many, many pairs of knickers as I hate the thought of running out!

Cracklingsilverwear · 11/07/2025 18:35

SushiDisco · 11/07/2025 18:01

Sorry but that’s absolutely insane😂😂😂

Show quote history

“Elbowpatch · Today 17:46
We save money on adapters by only holidaying in places that use the same plugs as the UK.”

That’s one of the funniest things I’ve ever read - adaptors are about £3 on Amazon!!!!!

FanofLeaves · 11/07/2025 18:29

That’s such a shein society thing to do, with the undies- bin and buy new just to save holiday packing space. Plus who wants to wear their raggedly old pants and socks on holiday?!

dairydebris · 11/07/2025 18:04

AngelicInnocent · 11/07/2025 17:39

Buy new underwear, leave it at home and pack old underwear. Wear it and bin it leaving space for souvenirs.

This is amazing advice which I'll definitely take up and use to legitimize buying souvenirs. My undies are quite big, so I'm thinking ceramics. ❤️

SushiDisco · 11/07/2025 18:01

Elbowpatch · 11/07/2025 17:46

We save money on adapters by only holidaying in places that use the same plugs as the UK.

Show quote history

Sorry but that’s absolutely insane😂😂😂

Icanbuymyselfflowers86 · 11/07/2025 17:58

My packing tips are:

  1. Mix each persons packing between the cases incase a case goes missing.
  2. Pack a spare holiday day time outfit/swimwear in your hand luggage incase ALL your cases go missing. Also handy if you can’t check in yet but can use the pool.
  3. Pack as little as possible toiletries into the small reusable plastic bottles.
Icanbuymyselfflowers86 · 11/07/2025 17:55

Elbowpatch · 11/07/2025 17:46

We save money on adapters by only holidaying in places that use the same plugs as the UK.

Show quote history

Seems like a tight restriction on holiday destinations when they only cost a few quid 🤣

Elbowpatch · 11/07/2025 17:46

Swiftie1878 · 11/07/2025 16:47

Instead of taking loads of adaptors, just take one and an extension cable with multiple plugs (and ideally USB slots too).

We save money on adapters by only holidaying in places that use the same plugs as the UK.

NeverTrustTheScales · 11/07/2025 17:46

Leave the steamer and pegs, it's a holiday

AngelicInnocent · 11/07/2025 17:44

😂 not that big but undies and s9cks for a family of 4 on a 2 week holiday do take up some space.

ThejoyofNC · 11/07/2025 17:42

AngelicInnocent · 11/07/2025 17:39

Buy new underwear, leave it at home and pack old underwear. Wear it and bin it leaving space for souvenirs.

How big are your knickers? 😂

AngelicInnocent · 11/07/2025 17:39

Buy new underwear, leave it at home and pack old underwear. Wear it and bin it leaving space for souvenirs.

MonsterasEverywhere · 11/07/2025 17:35

Whenever I've gone on holiday I take a little torch with me and put it next to the bed, that way I know I can find some form of lighting in an unfamiliar place.

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