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Original poster

When would you start packing

19 replies

Cruisem · 02/03/2024 15:49

Family of 4 going on a cruise end of march when realistically would you start to pack. I want to get started but it will then all be in the way kids are of school age so spend the week in school clothes

OP posts:
Riverlee · 02/03/2024 15:52

Probably two weeks before, I’d start putting aside clothes I wanted to take with me and/or make sure they were washed. I’d also get any extra bits I needed.

I’d probably do an initial pack a week before to check I have everything, which gives me time to wash or buy missing items. I would do a final pack pack a few days before x

SevenSeasOfRhye · 02/03/2024 15:54

I would print off the packing list now (or make a list if you don't have one) and start doing bits here and there, then it doesn't become a huge task looming over you. Also, if you run your eye over the list and there's anything you can't remember where it's put away, it gives you time to find it or replace it.

Notsonifty50 · 02/03/2024 15:54

The day before.

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Holidays
Grumpynan · 02/03/2024 15:55

I’m a last minute packer, spent to many times packing slowly over days, only to question if someone has been added or someone wants something.

im a list person, I write a list per person, and tick it off as it’s packed then take list with me to tick off for coming home.

i will launder things then say not to be worn before holiday if need be, but quite honestly things can be washed and dried the day before.

Ponderingwindow · 02/03/2024 15:56

I would already be packing. Everything that can be packed gets packed about a month in advance. Everything else goes gets located, but put on a list for later inclusion. That way if something is missing or not in good shape, I have time to replace it.

StarlightLady · 02/03/2024 15:56

I would start physically packing 24 - 48 hours before. I travel a lot for work and that is the way l operate then.

But, l’m a great fan of lists, so that would be sorted well in advance. Not only would that include things to take, but shutting the house up, fridge clean etc.

Bjorkdidit · 02/03/2024 16:03

I wouldn't pack until the day before, but maybe 2 weeks before I'd check I had enough clothes and they all fit in case I needed to buy anything new.

Maybe 3/4 days in advance I'd be thinking about doing the last wash. Then pack the day before if going in the morning, or do it on the day if leaving from late morning onwards.

I certainly wouldn't be itching to start packing nearly a month before going away.

mindutopia · 02/03/2024 16:27

Maybe the weekend before we left, unless I had time off right before, then about 48 hours before.

Octavia64 · 02/03/2024 16:28

About two days before.

I would check if I needed to buy anything from a month before.

ExH packed about 5 hours before the flight.

To be fair he did travel a lot for work.

BIossomtoes · 02/03/2024 16:31

ExH packed about 5 hours before the flight

That’s me. The longer stuff’s packed the more creased it is.

AhBiscuits · 02/03/2024 16:40

No sooner than 2 days before but probably 1.
Packing does not take a long time, why would you do it so early?

piealhxiprshl · 02/03/2024 16:41

Write the list now, but you really don't need to pack until the day before. If you have a good list it'll take no time to pack.

pinkspeakers · 02/03/2024 16:45

I usually pack the night before. Often the morning of the day I'm leaving, now that I'm not packing for the kids too. I don't think I have ever ever packed for a holiday earlier than the day before in my life. But clearly we operate very differently so I don't suppose that is much help.

I will think about it before then, consider if there is anything I need to buy or search for, but definitely not actually pack.

pinkspeakers · 02/03/2024 16:48

ExH packed about 5 hours before the flight.

For most trips I'll start packing 2 hours before I'm going to leave. Or 2 hours before bedtime if an early start. I think if you are a fairly organized person you know what you want to take and where it all is and it takes an hour at most. So that leaves an hour in hand. For a little weekend away, an hour before we leave is loads.

MolkosTeenageAngst · 02/03/2024 16:49

I’d start the night before by at least getting out the suitcases, would then aim to get most done either that evening or if not leaving early the morning of going, probably wouldn’t completely finish until just a bit before needing to leave.

DustyLee123 · 02/03/2024 16:49

I’d do a list now, then start a week before.

LaWench · 02/03/2024 16:50

1-2 days before

StarlightLady · 02/03/2024 16:51

OP, this might not be for you, but if you wear glasses, remember to pack spares.

lt is also good to keep a copy of your passport and any medical prescription on your phone.

crumblingschools · 02/03/2024 16:53

If holiday is different season. to what currently in or different sorts of clothes needed eg swimwear I would be checking everyone had sufficient eg kids hadn’t grown out of anything, but I certainly wouldn’t start packing yet

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