Tell me your camping ‘must haves’ please

[Poochnewbie]

Just bought a tent. I’m not the most enthusiastic camper but I think the kids and dh will love it so I really want to make it work and enjoy it.
So far we’ve invested in:
Gas stove
Kitchen unit
Camping kettle, washing up bowl etc
Dining stuff
Decent beds and sleeping bags
Gas bottles
Table and chairs
Picnic blanket
Footprint and carpet

Plan to get:
Portable power washer for dog
Lights
Heater
Trailer

What will make it that bit nicer? What is a waste of time?

Rockbird we have a VW Caddy maxi which has a huge boot compared to many mpvs, then a large top box, and we pull an enormous metal box trailer which is where it’s all stored when not in use. We’ve been camping for so many years, hubby has developed a ‘system’ for packing 😁 so the rest of us just let him get on with it and it all goes like clockwork.

Yes to a moon chair mentioned by a pp. They’re not cheap but I use mine all year round - in the garden in the summer and to cosy up in in the den in winter months.

Hands up here too, we don't really camp, we have a VW T5 with a VanGo awning.

I was talked into going on a trip, allegedly I'm a natural.

This was going well till DH ignored a warning light & blew up the engine.

I have health issues, so the lady wee things prove to be amazing. The VanGo is a pump up structure so takes no time. We has extra pegs as DH forgot them at the last festival we went to.

I'm honestly looking forward to it getting fixed & going away again,

It started as a van with windows & seats, DH stripped it & put a rock n roll bed in. God knows what that means as we've never done 'that' on it

I love camper van life.

Everything was ripped out, there is a magic battery & USB points, socket points, sink, cooker. We have a portable cooker and at the last festival we got this thing you can organise everything on.

We sleep in a sleeping bag, with duvet & electric blanket. TBF I use a lot of hot water bottles, so I'm thinking a cheapie kettle.

Honestly van life is the best, we go to festivals that have campers, each time I go I'm astounded at what people can do.

We've even had full dinners on our table that dismantles.

If anyone needs advice give me a shout. You should get a T4 for a reasonable price. Then building it up is what you want to spend.

I came across this website from Unilever , www.sachetsandmore.com/
They sell sachets / small bottles of all sorts of stuff. I think it would be ideal for someone going camping , they even have 3 different festive kits this is the mid range one
www.sachetsandmore.com/product/festival-camping-ultimate-kit-for-your-ultimate-travel-54-pieces/

Its also useful if your sauces/ jams/ marmite etc ( just wait till I get my hands on the git that used the last of mine last weekend ) at work keeps getting pilfered, you can even get like balsamic vinegar and olive oil

Hot water bottles.
Ear plugs
Eye mask
Off floor camp bed
Pillow
Cafetière
If you can get a good nights sleep, you can cope with whatever the day throws at you.

I —want— need one of these lotusbelle.co.uk/

@IdaDown great minds!! Was just showing these to my husband yesterday - they look great.

@Angie169 that looks useful!

Thanks for the tips everyone. Some really helpful stuff

A 5-star hotel