Holiday packing - anyone else take the kitchen sink?

[bigbluebus]

We are going on a self catering holiday shortly and will be staying in a fairly remote area where shops will be few and far between, and no washing machine in our accomodation. I have started gathering things together to take and have made lists of other things I think we'll need. As we will be in the UK we also need to take clothes to cover all weathers. I am the sort of person who always 'over caters' and puts lots of things in 'just in case'. I'm beginning to wonder how we are going to fit all the stuff in the car to get to our destination.

Any one else have the same problem - just can't seem to leave stuff to chance? I think the Girl Guide in me always wants to 'be prepared', but I would love to be one of those people who could just pack the bare minimum and then wing it.

I am one of these people! always get stressed in case i have forgotten something . What i found helps is making a basic list. eg:
for 3 days everyone needs:
-underwear (x3)
-t shirts (x3)
-hoodie (x1)
-socks (x4)
-coat (x1)
-pyjamas (x1)
put everyone's things into separate tote/plastic carrier bags before packing. now you can add the basic food items, plan what you will eat each day before you get there:
eg for 3 days:
-loaf of bread (x1)
-pint of milk (x1)
-fish fingers (x1 pack)
-oven chips (x1 pack)
-eggs (x1 carton)
-noodles (x1 pack)
-frozen veggies (x1 pack)
-readymade sauce (x1 pack for noodles)
-sausages (x1 pack)
-rolls for sausages (x1 pack)
-ham (x1 pack)
-cereal (x1 box).

all the best, and don't worry if you forget anything. shops deliver!

You would be a nightmare if you joined forces with my DH. He can fill the car with stuff just for a day out. A weekend at my parents' house requires 2 full suitcases (for 2 adults and 2 children; generally 1 suitcase is his and the other is split between me and the kids). We're going to England this summer (from Northern Ireland) and he's already threatening to buy a roof box (which would be impossible to store the rest of the year). We're staying in a town which appears to have a vast range of shops, and the caravan site has a laundrette, so we really don't need that many clothes.

I think the secret is to figure out what you can buy when you get there, and don't bring any of that.

Clothes-wise, lots of layers. Realistically, even on a wet day you can wear shorts and a jumper.

Lots of "just in case" stuff can be ditched. Just try to figure out an alternative plan for the scenario.

If you're renting, ask for a really good inventory of what will be there, so you're not doubling up (eg towels, soap, tea bags etc).

Get a Tesco delivery booked for the day you arrive, if possible. That avoids bringing food, toiletries etc.

Thanks for the replies. Belfast my DH is the exact opposite but that is mainly because he knows I will pack everything - although I won't be doing his clothes packing - not my problem if he's only got 4 pairs of undies for 14 days!

There definitely won't be any supermarket deliveries where we are going - in fact the main supermarkets don't exist at all there! I think there's a Co-op somewhere but that is it - it's just local shops and they may be some distance away.

I find packing for shorter trips harder, than longer ones.
DH despairs of me sometimes, but, when he finds he's forgotten something, or the SC place doesn't have what we need he remembers my over preparing is actually a godsend!

I have admittedly got better though.

Clothes that will do for either hot, cold or wet weather. I just layer as appropriate.
Walking boots and trainers are mandatory. I then take one pair of flat black pumps and one pair of black flip flops as they will go with all outfits. Lightweight waterproof coat, with additional pac a Mac and large umbrella.
I use packing cubes for clothes. Keeps everything neatly organised and a fabric laundry bag for mucky clothes, so they are kept separate at all times. I always pack extra underwear and socks.

I always pack blankets. The car permantly has 2 in it.

I take kitchen utensils: decent sharp knives, a grater, corkscrew/bottle opener and decent wine glasses. In addition I pack kitchen roll, rubber gloves, tea towels, foil, cling film and decant washing up liquid.

I hate paying for things I need when I know I have the stuff at home, especially when it's usually overpriced.

I also, always take my own booze. Nothing worse than finding out your destination doesn't stick your favourite wine/rum!

We've been doing self catering for well over ten years, so I've got it down to a fine art now.

We do live in the middle of nowhere, in Cornwall, so we always go on holiday in a town, where there are shops/markets and restaurants all within walking distance, so I admit that does make it a lot easier!

nottobesold I think I've packed most of the things you mention- apart from a grater - but I have packed a pop up colander!

Of we can drive the car is filled to the brim!!
Flying we tend to be a lot better!

Me! Waves hand in the air.

I can't understand these people who can go away for a week, a WEEK with only hand luggage.

Seriously? I'd struggle to do an overnight with it.

I travel a lot for work. I take one carry on case, although work give me a hold allowance. I have had my luggage lost by an airline in the past so I like to know l have my things with me. It’s not the size of the bag, it’s the way you pack them.

It is really selfish and unsustainable tourism to take your own food to remote communities.

We live in a popular tourist spot, lots of second or third homes. The village shop used to be thriving, then the tourists started a stream of online delivery vans each weekend. The shop closed, that made it less attractive to families, the school has just gone as a direct result.

But hey it is a beautiful spot for a cheap getaway.

Village shops in tourist destinations not famed for range of gluten / dairy free .
We do both , take some essential non perishables and try and buy local produce like fish , meat and veg .

Blackcurrant I have every intention of buying fresh food locally. I have already made a list of shops which sell fresh local produce so we can support local business. I am particularly looking forward to eating locally baked bread/pies/cakes etc and freshly caught fish and seafood as well as local meat. Any food we take with us are some dried/tinned staples to keep us going when shops are not available due to limited opening hours.

We are taking our nespresso machine in the suitcase to Majorca!

I find you need little more for a fortnight than 4 days, other than more underwear.

If it's remote, remember torch and batteries in case of power cuts or minimal external lighting at night.

We know that we take everything bar the proverbial sink - it's why we need a 7-seater car for just four of us! It doesn't help that our son is autistic so we have to take some familiar toys, familiar foods etc. But over the years I've become accustomed to our self-catering accommodation lacking something so we also take a huge plastic trug of things we'll probably need - tin opener, plastic spatula, binbags, playing cards, sun tan lotion, spare batteries, kitchen foil, extra tea spoons, a big mug for DH....

This made me chuckle; I'm taking my Guides on our first residential this weekend - it's catered and they run the activities. I've still got a reasonably large bag of things to divide between three of us tomorrow morning . The girls' dad was looking earlier & told me I was massively overthinking . We'll see!

@Mum2jenny. We've packed torches - in fact I've packed 4! 2 small powerful handheld ones and 2 pull up lanterns - you see my problem - I can't just pack 1 of anything !

I fly every week and spend 10 weeks a year on holiday.

I travel light. My Dhs motto is passport and credit card and anything else is a luxury.

Use hotel toiletries- it won't kill you and then you dont really have to take anything. I put foundation into smaller tubs sometimes.

Solid deodorant, have a clear bag permanently packed and on standby. Only take the basic shoes that you will wear.

For a week I would do hand luggage only, I have brilliant small wheel on and another handheld both of which are excellent for flying. Taking a soft bag means that it never gets hold checked at the gate. For 2 weeks- we have large travel bags which transport easily. We can usually take 96Kgs of luggage each on a long haul and typically take about 26kg for 2 people.

Support the local economy as much as you can.

I think the secret is to figure out what you can buy when you get there, and don't bring any of that

But I don't want to spend time shopping on holiday and I don't want to be buying things that I already have at home - waste of money and resources.

Yes I don't shop on holiday I take everything with me. Shopping on holiday is not 'the secret' it's a, waste of holiday time

I tried to pack a woolly jumper to take to Florida last year, you know just in case!

I am terrible at packing for every possible eventuality (although I'm great at being stuck in massive traffic jams or other delays as I have enough food to feed a small army, spare books, a magazine and usually some kind of puzzle book as well as supplies for children)

I will admit to being very smug the year we went to Northumberland in August and it poured with rain and didn't get above ten degrees. Loads of people shivering in summer wear while I was happy in my warm jeans, boots, jumper and coat. I even took a lovely scarf!