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Cottage break 'grab bag'

7 replies

Thereunion · 10/02/2025 19:16

Evening all!

We are going on a few self catering breaks this year and would like to simplify things and create a sort of 'grab bag' to save packing half the house!

So far I'm thinking things like toiletries, basic kitchen utensils that are sometimes lacking, tea towels etc. Because I have dietary requirements we a) cannot really eat out very easily and b) find it more difficult to find food in shops when there (especially when we are staying somewhere quite remote) so find it easier to take non-perishables and get a delivery. I'm also thinking foil/big bags etc.

What would you keep in yours? It's as much to make unpacking when back home easier as anything else! Thank you very much for reading.

OP posts:
islander99 · 10/02/2025 19:28

Thereunion · 10/02/2025 19:16

Evening all!

We are going on a few self catering breaks this year and would like to simplify things and create a sort of 'grab bag' to save packing half the house!

So far I'm thinking things like toiletries, basic kitchen utensils that are sometimes lacking, tea towels etc. Because I have dietary requirements we a) cannot really eat out very easily and b) find it more difficult to find food in shops when there (especially when we are staying somewhere quite remote) so find it easier to take non-perishables and get a delivery. I'm also thinking foil/big bags etc.

What would you keep in yours? It's as much to make unpacking when back home easier as anything else! Thank you very much for reading.

We have a 'self catering' bag and I restock it after each trip. Everything that is useful and long lasting that we need goes in it - foil, a couple of tuppaware tubs, bin bags, liquid soap, shower gel, oil, cloths, extra tea towels, tea/ coffee, general shower gel/ toothpaste, matches, washing tablets. Mine is just a bag for life that lives in the loft between trips.

SushiSheep · 10/02/2025 19:34

A good knife. (I always take my own if SC, I'm very particular about my own knives)

And a corkscrew/bottle opener if you like a drink. I'm not a drinker.

ScottBakula · 10/02/2025 20:06

Some good ides from pp
Washing up sponge
Dish cloth
Spare san pro
anti bac wipes
Torch + batteries
Extra long charge cables
Power bank

pack of cards
Tea ,
coffee,
sugar ,
which ever condiments you use regularly
single portion jam/ marmalade
Single/ small packs of biscuits or penguin/ rockys/ clubs
Cup a soup or pot noodle

I am sure I will think of more later

Thereunion · 10/02/2025 20:51

Some fab ideas here, thanks so much for contributing. Yes, I'm thinking I can keep in a crate/box in the loft between trips. I think it'd reduce my stress levels!

OP posts:
MargoChanellingBarbara · 21/03/2025 18:46

Oven gloves
chargers
clipits
coffee and cafetière

FusionChefGeoff · 21/03/2025 20:17

We have all our camping stuff ready to go at a moments notice so this is very much my style! I’d also recommend a quick charity shop raid to get stuff to just keep in the bag so you don’t even need to pack and unpack!

decent sharp knife
chopping board (I can’t stand glass!)
foil
tongs
tupperware / zip bags / bag clips
tea towels
washing up brush / scourer
wiping cloth & spray
dishwasher tabs
salt & pepper grinders
olive oil
Mixed herbs
tex mex mix
stock cubes
flour
tea / coffee / sugar
Ketchup / brown sauce / vinegar / sachets
honey / jam

FusionChefGeoff · 21/03/2025 20:18

Ooh first aid - paracetamol / anti histamine/ plasters / savlon / suncream

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