How soon do you start packing before a holiday?

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Just curious and feeling a little smug that I've done 90% of my packing a week before going away

Got a case out of the loft a couple of weeks ago and have been doing a slow pack since. It seems to have worked better than the usual pack 2 days before going away.

The day before, we don't have space for full bags and cases to be sitting around for any longer than that.

Probably around 5 days before I'd start. I don't really like my suitcase taking up room anytime before that. I also have to pack for my DD otherwise she'd forget to pack PJs and underwear!

I plan about a week before so that I can get summer stuff out, wash things, decide what I want to read etc. But that's all in my head! I wouldn't actually start putting things in a suitcase until the day before, or the same day if it's a late flight or for a short getaway.. I'd forget what id already packed and be rummaging around if I started packing a week before.

The night before or morning before!… I DETEST packing and leave it as late as possible

Couple of hours. As Bridget Jones said, packing expands to fill the time available, so the best use of time is to leave it til the last minute.

Day before.
I dont have enough clothes to leave some sat in a suitcase for a week. I'm normally washing 3 days before i go so i can actually pack clean, dry clothes.

Usually a week or so before. However I'm on holiday right now and packed the night before and forgot all my swimwear so I blame that on last minute packing and will go back to my old ways for my next holiday

When my parents first told my nana they'd booked for us all to go to Spain (1978) she packed the next day. We weren't due to fly for another three months ☺️.

I generally do mine about an hour before I leave. I'm very organised though so know where to lay my hands on everything.

About an hour as well.

an hour before

I make a list about 2 weeks before and make sure everything is bought/ready and then I start the bulk of the packing about a week before, then early morning is for chucking in bits and bobs that I've been using up to then like hair straighteners, bits of make up, toothbrush etc.

I have 2 drawers full of bikinis, walking shoes, shorts posh frocks and sun cream.
I could pack for a fortnight in the sun in 2 mins.
I sometimes go through it just to feel happy like a Victorian spinster and her trousseau 😢

I have a “system” that makes my DH go crazy
Mentally I start a couple of weeks before - what we have/need
Then the week before everything gets washed
Weekend before I start “packing” ie putting in the suitcase all I think I need
Then I discover I’m over packing and start culling out things, then remember 100 essentials… process goes for about an hour each day up to the night before
On the other side I can also pack in 20 mins for 3 people… but mentally I’m packing weeks ago!!

@iklboo

When my parents first told my nana they'd booked for us all to go to Spain (1978) she packed the next day. We weren't due to fly for another three months ☺️.

That’s lovely! What a great memory. Did you have a good time?

Cases will come down the weekend before we go. One will be open and during the week stuff will be chucked in so toiletries, underwear etc and and when it is ready. I'll have an idea in mind what's to be packed clothing wise and that will go in the day before.

I plan my outfits about 5-7 days before and pack the day before.

Night before but I have a list that I write about a month before to check if I need to get anything.

I will put things into one side of my wardrobe as they get washed ready then flight time dependent I'll either pack morning of or night before.

How do you not need any of the stuff you've packed in the next week??

@NeedleNoodle3

I plan my outfits about 5-7 days before and pack the day before.

Exactly this!

The night before / the morning of. My DH has his and the kids packed days earlier though

@emmathedilemma

How do you not need any of the stuff you've packed in the next week??

I said about 90% packed - toiletries aren't yet packed but doubt I will be needing bikinis and flip flops anytime next week.

As late as possible. I get very anxious about going away (it’s fine once we’re actually going) so try not to think about it until the last moment.

@emmathedilemma

How do you not need any of the stuff you've packed in the next week??

The clothes I will be wearing on holiday abroad in May are not the same clothes I will need here before I go (except maybe underwear), so it can all go in my case a week or two before.

If I was holidaying in the UK they probably would be though so I would leave it until a day or two before.