Self caterers - what do you keep two sets of?

[Selfcaterer]

Evening all,

We have been self catering for many years and think we have most of it sorted! However, every time I find it stressful with stuff that needs to be packed last minute, and consequently unpacked when we get home again. So I was wondering if there was anything you have two of? We've now got a toiletries bag set up which can go straight in the attic, that kind of thing. Thinking of buying a second hair brush/travel hair dryer but not sure if that's just batshit crazy.

I have a hairbrush that lives in my going away bag but I've never taken a hairdryer on holiday, so can't help with that. Don't most holiday cottages provide one?

When I travelled a lot for work I also had a little drawstring bag with all my electrical bits in - a plug splitter, Kindle and phone chargers.

I also have a full medicines toiletry bag that pretty much stays packed, with all my prescriptions and pretty much anything I could possibly need that's not prescription.

Those are pretty much the only things I don't have multiples of as a matter of course, other than swimming goggles, which I would have multiples of but they're prescription so it's unjustifiable. I can't think of anything else, other than toiletries you've already mentioned, that it's problematic not to be able to pack until the last minute.

My mum has holiday underwear 😂 it’s nothing fancy just enough for a week kept specially for that use and none other. I’ll be seeing her at a self catering soon and will see if she has anymore tips 😂😂

I have a holiday sponge bag, but not much else. There are a few things that only go on holiday so they stay in the bag, mainly for laundry. No one else in the family does though.

Buckets and spades just live in a bag, and we have a bag that has some games and stuff in, but that was untouched this holiday so I'm not bothering again.

No as I don't really want to have three of everything for the two-three holidays per year.

DH has a pack for plugs/chargers he keeps in his work bag. DD has a first aid kit she keeps up to date for Explorer Camps.

But otherwise we just collect what's needed the week before and pack.

I keep my travel toothbrush (folding), toothpaste, medication, mini shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, shower gel, £1's and 50p's for showers, micro towel, comfy knickers (very important!), small sunscreen, small moisturiser, torch and warm sleepwear in my bike (motorcycle) bag that fits in the pannier. We are usually camping but means if at short notice we need to rush off to parents we can just chuck in appropriate clothes too without too much thinking (there's other bit in there too I forget exactly, lives under bed)

Thanks everyone, some very helpful suggestions. We go away quite a bit (just I'm the UK) so probably often enough to justify extras.

I'm off to buy by holiday underwear 🤣