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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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
dementedpixie · 05/08/2026 18:44

I have a packing list saved and update it each year with thing we used/didnt use/should have taken, etc

Solmum1964 · 05/08/2026 18:43

saveforthat · 05/08/2026 17:18

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

We do too. So much easier than having multiple adapters!

dementedpixie · 05/08/2026 18:41

We take several extension cables with us. So useful to only need a couple of adaptors but can charge multiple devices and plug in things like hairdryers and dhs cpap

We take a bottle of blue caracao and grenadine for cocktails as you cant always find them abroad. This year we also took a travel smoothie maker (also for cocktails and ds's smoothies).

We take some marinades and seasonings for the BBQ. Clothes pegs and line, washing/dishwasher pods, cloth, sponge, rubber gloves, knives, meat probe and a whole host of other things. Usually in a villa and can't be sure how much is provided.

ithinkilikethislittlelife · 05/08/2026 18:40

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 bloody love this. Where could I get it please? 🙏🏻

knottywig · 05/08/2026 18:34

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

Tell me more about this pen please. Which one do you have?

WinWhenTheyreSinging · 05/08/2026 18:31

I take a decent feather pillow and a good-sized bone china mug (have one in a sturdy box just for travel) with me most places, along with my preferred teabags, milk sticks and herbal teabags - but frankly I’m sounding like a lightweight in the quirky packing stakes.

(If my pillows are due for renewing, I replace them before I go and abandon the old one there.)

I will point the next person who rolls their eyes at me towards this thread … 🤣

Jerseymilkshake · 05/08/2026 18:30

saveforthat · 05/08/2026 17:18

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

Me too - its so handy!

hahabahbag · 05/08/2026 18:28

I take a high vis vest, tool kit, spare parts etc but then we were on a motorcycle, legal requirement to take high vis (also in cars)

Words · 05/08/2026 18:27

My friend loves lists. So I added to her southern european beach holiday packing list
Ice Axe
Crampons
Bivvy bag

AnnDroidAnnDroid · 05/08/2026 18:26

Indianajet · 05/08/2026 16:55

What are you goi g to do - kick people out of the way?!

I mean…hopefully it wouldn’t come to that, but if you have to clamber over broken glass and debris you don’t want your shoes coming off. I can’t boom the emergency exit seats with children so I’ve booked the row behind and instructed my children to climb over the seats if there’s an emergency, they all think I’m nuts but it makes me feel better to plan for the worst!

Brunonononooo · 05/08/2026 18:25

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

I take several extension leads and think it’s normal?! Or maybe not! Also easier if you don’t have many plug adaptors, I like to think I have beaten the system

ComePlayMyTrombolise · 05/08/2026 18:23

Ilovecheeseyah · 05/08/2026 17:03

An extra pair of knickers?

One one extra pair? 🫪 I usually take twice as many as days I’ll be away (unless I’ll have access to a washing machine)! 😆

dudsville · 05/08/2026 18:22

Vroomfondleswaistcoat · 05/08/2026 17:20

This is me too. I listen to audio books on my phone overnight to help me sleep, and if I have to have the phone over the other side of the room (because I also have it on charge at night) then I have to have the volume turned up too loud. But it's amazing how many places don't have sockets anywhere near the bed.

Me too!

saveforthat · 05/08/2026 18:21

GoldMoon · 05/08/2026 18:08

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 .

Why would you change it daily?

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.

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...