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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask for your most unhinged packing lists?

418 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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5
ChocolateCinderToffee · 05/08/2026 18:19

ZippyPeer · 05/08/2026 17:06

I know someone who takes an extension lead. They hate not being able to charge their phone by the bed

This seems absolutely reasonable to me!

CoffeeBooksRats · 05/08/2026 18:18

dudsville · 05/08/2026 18:17

I misunderstood "nail puller", for a wild second there.

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Eeeek!! Torture free zone! 😂

CoffeeBooksRats · 05/08/2026 18:17

Wookyhole · 05/08/2026 17:12

Also will be taking a box of my son’s favourite gluten free cereal which you can’t buy abroad and some washable zip lock bags. Plan is to take a portion secretly in my bag to breakfast and slip it into his bowl.

We usually end up taking half a suitcase of gluten free foods with us wherever we go… it’s so hard to get GF stuff in some other countries despite their being a similar percentage of people with celiac disease as there are in the UK.

dudsville · 05/08/2026 18:17

Verv · 05/08/2026 15:25

TAD skeleton key.
Its a little tool that acts as a screwdriver, pry bar, nail puller box cutter yadda yadda.
Really surprising how often i use it so it comes everywhere with me.

I misunderstood "nail puller", for a wild second there.

GlosGirl82 · 05/08/2026 18:16

An UZI pen - it can stab someone, open a can and collect DNA - yet is allowed through airport security- I’m female and travel alone a lot - feel better with my UZI pen

CrouchHigh6 · 05/08/2026 18:15

EmailsaysOOO · 05/08/2026 15:50

I take a just started toilet roll. One with about 90% left. I know they can be bought everywhere but I don't go anywhere without (most of) one of my own.

Why not take a full one?

Yellowchair1 · 05/08/2026 18:14

Extension lead is definitely not unhinged! It saves you taking more than one adapter! Most families have more than one thing to charge!

CoffeeBooksRats · 05/08/2026 18:14

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!

I’m ordering one right now. You are totally right and I can’t believe I’ve never thought of this before.

sunshineandrain82 · 05/08/2026 18:12

We take a suitcase full of food.
its not unhinged to us as ds has autism and only eats specific brand food with very specific packing. Any change and he will refuse to eat.

but we get some odd looks at the airport when we have to explain the case just has food in.

Sonolanona · 05/08/2026 18:10

I take my hot waterbottle everywhere... yes that includes to my son's place in Australia every other year (in their summer) and Florida !

I can't sleep without it 😂

WalterMittysPuppet · 05/08/2026 18:09

ZippyPeer · 05/08/2026 17:06

I know someone who takes an extension lead. They hate not being able to charge their phone by the bed

OMG of course. Why haven't I thought of that!

I suspect there is some regulation or other about people getting fried in their beds when using and charging their phone, but still...

GoldMoon · 05/08/2026 18:08

Wookyhole · 05/08/2026 17:16

Why not just take another pillow case and slip it over? Be more comfortable?

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No idea why , putting a pillowcase on and off daily seems a hassle this way it's on and off easily and not uncomfortable . Stays in place ok overnight .

Halfbeaklily · 05/08/2026 18:08

Sellotape and large hairclips. Often useful to close curtains properly or cover up really bright lights ( once the Exit sign in a hotel room lit up the whole room bright red and couldn't be switched off, so I reduced the glare with paper and tape).
Pillow.
Decaffeinated teabags.

DonaldWheresMaTweezers · 05/08/2026 18:04

A bit morbid but I have elderly, unwell parents so I always pack a black dress and black jacket in case one of them dies while I am on holiday.

heforgotme · 05/08/2026 17:55

If we are going to be staying in a hotel, I make sure I pack a big sheet of brown paper, and a small roll of Sellotape. I have had several unpleasant hotel experiences, where there is only glass between the bathroom and the bedroom. Who wants to see their husband on the loo? Not me.

Laiste · 05/08/2026 17:51

Loo roll.
A first aid kit the size of a large shoe box.
An actual non stick frying pan.
Pegs and string.
Bin bags.
Sewing kit.
Gel nail lamp + colour to mend chips.
300 different chargers.
My own hair dryer.
My own laundry detergent.
Rubber gloves.
My foot filing kit.

One year i had to also take 2 of our guinea pigs with us, plus the usual 2 dogs and 3 kids, potty, loo seat and stool, bottles and bedding to a holiday caravan.

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.

outerspacepotato · 05/08/2026 17:40

I take a charger with retractable cables that works with old Apple stuff, USB C, and micro USB.

Power bank that the solar charging actually works.

A little pouch with hot sauce and salsa packets, and a couple herbal tea bags. Metal Chopsticks.

The CO monitor is a great idea.

BEAchDays2 · 05/08/2026 17:40

Smoke detector and carbon monoxide alarm

Wookyhole · 05/08/2026 17:35

NotAnotherScarf · 05/08/2026 15:52

If I am going to somewhere I am not sure of safety wise, I always pack a rubber door stop. I use it to wedge the hotel door closed. Its very difficult to push thd door open with it in place especially on any type of carpet

What if you became very unwell in the room, or a fire and they needed to get you out?

utahsainthood · 05/08/2026 17:30

NotAnotherScarf · 05/08/2026 15:52

If I am going to somewhere I am not sure of safety wise, I always pack a rubber door stop. I use it to wedge the hotel door closed. Its very difficult to push thd door open with it in place especially on any type of carpet

Isn’t this a fire risk? So if there was a fire someone wouldn’t be able to get in to save you?

aliasfrog · 05/08/2026 17:29

Oh rubber gloves for self catering too! But thats just sensible.

Cheeseagain · 05/08/2026 17:24

Green Tabasco sauce is new addition this year

not niche - but citronella incense sticks & pancake mix

DistantEarlyWarning · 05/08/2026 17:23

Pollyanna87 · 05/08/2026 17:13

She can just get long cables, no? That’s what I have for by the bed!

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Me too. Bit of a trip hazard sometimes though…

spoooooons · 05/08/2026 17:22

TheHungryHungryLandsharks · 05/08/2026 17:05

I take my coffee machine on holiday. Not a little nespresso one, but a full blown Jura barista style one that grinds the beans/heats the milk for you.

Obviously this is for UK holidays. 😁

This is the kind of eccentricity I can get on board with.