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AIBU?

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Original poster

To ask for your most unhinged packing lists?

507 replies

badhabitsleadtolate · 05/08/2026 15:17

Trying to cover all bases.

I’m not talking the “oh yeah I whack a teabag in my baggage”, i’m talking the type of stuff most people would never dream of taking.

OP posts:
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9
IwanttoWFH · 05/08/2026 21:55

A parasol to clip onto my sun lounger (in case there’s no shade)

Nomorecoconutboosts · 05/08/2026 21:51

@Auburngal- re the couple leaving £10 for a broken mug. I’m wondering what would the owners usually expect? from the UK and left £5 for a broken glass. I imagine that was too much? But didn’t want to assume and I thought it might be an inconvenience for the owner.

TheOctopus · 05/08/2026 21:47

saveforthat · 05/08/2026 17:18

I take an extension lead abroad. You can just one adapter and plug in loads of stuff.

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I once bought an extension lead with a two pin plug and three pin sockets. I think it's illegal to sell them now in the UK. I don't bother now because most hotels have usb sockets and I don't take any electrical stuff.

I take about ten different drugs a day. Plus a very extensive medical/ first aid kit which has all been used at some point. Including an emergency dental kit with a sterile needle. I could never travel hand luggage only as there'd be no room left for clothes.

PinkElephants356 · 05/08/2026 21:43

BauhausOfEliott · 05/08/2026 20:02

I think if I required this level of paraphernalia to go on holiday, I would simply not go on holiday.

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Haha yes!

CantHaveTooMuchChocolate · 05/08/2026 21:39

Wookyhole · 05/08/2026 17:09

I plan to take my feather pillow to Spain this year, last year at the same hotel the pillows were incredibly uncomfortable (in an otherwise brilliant hotel).

I do this too, for every trip! Pillows are such a personal taste, hotel ones are rarely my type!

TheVeryAngryBanana · 05/08/2026 21:37

I take small electricians clamp pegs. They're brilliant for everything: towels, fixing rucksacks and tents, making shade, shower that doesn't stay up, entertaining the toddler...

NewBeginnings77 · 05/08/2026 21:36

PaperPanama · 05/08/2026 17:45

A humidifier.

Aircon is so desiccating that I sleep really badly in some hotels. This little humidifier fits into an ordinary bottle of water, or even just a glass of water, is powered by a USB cable, and runs for 8h. Makes such a difference having it on the bedside table.

Do you have a link please? I have one at home but it's too big to go away with!

Laurmolonlabe · 05/08/2026 21:36

My partner always takes at least a multi tool and some superglue, loads of cable ties, insulation tape, climbing rope- we have used all more than once,so I don't know how unhinged it is.

Original poster
badhabitsleadtolate · 05/08/2026 21:34

Jaxhog · 05/08/2026 21:11

I take spares too, ever since I forgot my Fitbit charger. The cruise line didn't have one, so I had to buy one for £40!!!

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Oh this reminds me of a trip I took where I had to scour the airport for a kindle charger because I had left mine at home!

OP posts:
Anicebigdiamondwilldo · 05/08/2026 21:33

Love the CO detector idea, mine’s arriving tomorrow. My unhinged packing items are many many more pairs of knickers than i could possibly use on one holiday despite never having been anywhere I couldn’t buy more if needed nor anywhere without laundry facilities. I just don’t feel safe without at least 40 pairs (i go on holiday for about a week at a time)

MeatyMagda · 05/08/2026 21:32

A flint and steel tool. In case the plane crashes in the middle of nowhere, and I happen to survive and need fire.

MiddleAgedDread · 05/08/2026 21:23

Mooselooseinmyhoose · 05/08/2026 15:28

I dont consider mine unhinged but...

I always take a carbon monoxide detector! 4.99 on amazon. One of the biggest causes of deaths abroad.

Everyone I tell laughs and then quietly buys their own. Im saving the world one detector at a time!

My ex was the same because he knew someone who’d died of carbon monoxide poisoning.

Auburngal · 05/08/2026 21:20

LakieLady · 05/08/2026 20:51

I always take a couple of knives from home, because holiday cottages always have such crappy knives. I also take my own potato peeler, because it's the only sort I can use!

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My DM is the same.

Been in self catering places where they provided one wine glass and nothing but a saucepan to cook in. Thank you Boyes and charity shops. We took them home afterwards.

I bet breakages etc happen and previous guests haven't owned up to them or the owner/whoever doesn't go round checking inventory.

One of my relatives has a couple of SC flats in Scotland and in the cupboard under the stairs which is locked, she has spares of everything in there. So when she does the changeover clean, she checks the number of plates etc and puts replacements if seen damaged or missing. One couple from South Africa left £10 to cover the cost of a broken mug....

Jaxhog · 05/08/2026 21:19

Auburngal · 05/08/2026 21:13

That is steep.

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That's what my DH said. Especially as he bought it!

Shinyandnew1 · 05/08/2026 21:14

Aninabertsi · 05/08/2026 20:39

Wtaf? I'm baffled my most responses but this had me falling of the chair! You do what?! Why?

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I was baffled, too!

Surely if the worst happened to a parent, you’d go home and be involved in planning a future funeral. You wouldn’t drive or fly back straight to the funeral ?!

Auburngal · 05/08/2026 21:13

Jaxhog · 05/08/2026 21:11

I take spares too, ever since I forgot my Fitbit charger. The cruise line didn't have one, so I had to buy one for £40!!!

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That is steep.

Jaxhog · 05/08/2026 21:11

Auburngal · 05/08/2026 21:04

I take loads of charging cables now as one holiday, my iPhone cable stopped charging. Was charged €13 for a poxy cable which I could bought for £3 on Amazon.

I take spares too, ever since I forgot my Fitbit charger. The cruise line didn't have one, so I had to buy one for £40!!!

Daygloboo · 05/08/2026 21:11

badhabitsleadtolate · 05/08/2026 15:17

Trying to cover all bases.

I’m not talking the “oh yeah I whack a teabag in my baggage”, i’m talking the type of stuff most people would never dream of taking.

Just a tip. Im sure you all know this but....dont make a cup of tea in a hotel room.. Staff say (apparently ) ppl boil knickers in the kettles and boil eggs and stuff,....yuck. And the rooms are covered in all sorts of bodily stains that never get properly cleaned. It might be worth packjng a large sack and living inside it.

Auburngal · 05/08/2026 21:04

I take loads of charging cables now as one holiday, my iPhone cable stopped charging. Was charged €13 for a poxy cable which I could bought for £3 on Amazon.

Auburngal · 05/08/2026 21:01

My DM takes loads of first aid and medications. As the stuff abroad is so expensive. She packs all her dressings from various surgeries and injuries she had, This proved to be useful for me on the past two holidays with my parents. This year I had abscess on the bottom of my neck which could have easily ruptured.

Then 2,5 years previously, I was left with a nasty grazed bottom of hand after a woman slipped on some steps then flew into me.

Icecreamandcoffee · 05/08/2026 20:58

My DH took our portable Aircon unit when we had the heatwave in July. Absolute lifesaver in 36 degree heat. I moaned about all the space in the car it took up.

Autumnlife · 05/08/2026 20:57

Mooselooseinmyhoose · 05/08/2026 15:28

I dont consider mine unhinged but...

I always take a carbon monoxide detector! 4.99 on amazon. One of the biggest causes of deaths abroad.

Everyone I tell laughs and then quietly buys their own. Im saving the world one detector at a time!

Will be popping one of ours in my case now DH will definitely think I’ve lost the plot

Pushmepullu · 05/08/2026 20:56

A cheap toaster. We go to the Greek islands a lot and stay self catering. Even if there’s an oven, it never toasts well. So we take a cheap toaster and ditch it if we want to bring anything extra back.

Daygloboo · 05/08/2026 20:55

Stompythedinosaur · 05/08/2026 15:20

I feel like the size of first aid kit I take on holiday with me might be verging on the unhinged, but I like to be prepared! If one of my family has a serious accident whilst suffering from terrible diarrhea and back pain, I'll be ready for it!

😄

SoSoLong · 05/08/2026 20:53

My friend packs twice as many outfits as she plans to wear, just in case. Just in case of what, I'm not sure.

I'm a light packer and I'm reading this thread with my jaw firmly on the ground.