Expensive weekend trip.....

[Catbrations]

My partner booked a surprise trip to Prague as a Christmas present for me. I love this and it's so thoughtful. It will be good to spend time together.

This is turning out to be somewhat expensive for me and this is before we even go.

I have a cabin bag already but it's slightly larger than Ryanairs sizing and I know they are checking bags sizes more often. So I had to get a new cabin bag that cost about 55.

It's snowing and icy over there now and I was not ready or prepared for weatherproofing myself for a weekend in the cold. I had to get some merino base layers for my trip. I also had to get new shoes that would provide better traction and provide me with better protection from the wet snow or rain. I don't know if the snow will be clear by when we go. Next week reads approx -2 to 3 in low to high temps. These shoes were likely something that I needed anyways for our own Spring just in case we get a cold Spring.

I had to get a few other little bits and pieces too for this trip.

My jacket is questionable. It's a softshell fabric and I got wet a few times at home with it and I hate it when it gets wet. I think I might need a new jacket. I see see a waterproof and breathable and insulating jacket onlime for 100. I am thinking about getting this.

My partner is someome who usually packs light as if it's a badge of honour and something to get one up on me about. He's someone who usually always never prepared himself properly for these kind of things. His daily outfit is usually jeans and a t-shirt. He's not reading up about the weather and how to dress for the cold. I got him a base layer merino long sleeved t-shirt. He wont wear the merino pants base layer.

So all of this is all adding up.

He doesn't have proper shoes and I don't know if he will get proper shoes.
I bought him wool socks before but I don't know if he still has them or not. I don't know if I need to buy him more wool socks for our trip.

I am half thinking about going into town later today to get wool socks for him but at this stage, my spending is getting a little bit heavy. I don't know if is should just stop with the spending now. I think he's hoping to go to town, at the last minute on the morning we are due to leave to pick up some supplies that he needs. All last minute and I don't know if she would buy wool socks. He's someone who thinks socks are socks and I doubt he would appreciate the benefits of wool socks.

I am getting ready and I am nearly there. I may need to buy a new jacket. The spending is just getting a little bit too much right now. Will I just let my partner get his own stuff from now on or will I help him?

Indeed. You two don’t particularly sound like competent mature adults..

This is a bit wild, it’s a European city break, you’re not reenacting the voyages of Shackleton.

She might be young and not well travelled - cut the lass some slack

It sounds like you needed to renew some of your outdoor clothing anyway - while it's not ideal to outlay on shoes, waterproof coat and thermals all at once, they will last a long time and will be useful in the uk spring, autumn & winter.

It's kind to have bought a thermal for your partner but not your responsibility - if he is not prepared and finds himself cold when you're on the trip he will be able to buy wool socks and anything else he needs there. Return his thermal and definitely do not buy him socks.

Do you like in the UK?

Surely you have a warm coat and shoes?

Buy some gloves and scarf and you’ll be fine.

You’ll be walking around and so you’ll keep warm.

If you’re particularly susceptible to the cold then some cheap underlayer thermals will be fine.

You can just wear 2 pairs of socks if your feet are cold.

People have a tendency to overpack when they go on holiday.
You’re only going for a weekend remember.

it’s a weekend

you don’t need new stuff just later up

you could have checked a bag in for cheaper than 55£

Or else just take a small backpack with a change of clothes

you’re being ridiculous

It’s a European city break. You don’t need any extra clothes than you would need if you were spending a couple of cold days in London.

Prague has M&S and a Primark, and numerous other shops.

My DD and her friends just got back from a few days in Vienna yesterday. So similar weather to Prague.
She says it was cold, but absolutely beautiful in the snow. They walked around a lot but also spent cosy afternoons in cafes.
She took a duffel coat and DM’s and plenty of layers, but not merino wool base layers.
They all survived.
Also - they all had to cope with just a small backpack as the organiser of the flights didn’t book them a small case.
Again, they all survived.
I think you’re overthinking.

I would just wear 'normal' weekend clothes. Underwear/Vest/Long sleeved T / Sweatshirt / 40 dernier tights if sub zero or simply socks / Jeans / sturdy trainers / thigh length or long puffer. You are going to a modern European city not wild camping in the Arctic. You will be in and out of places. You need easily removable light layers to regulate your temperature according to situation. I also have a cabin rucksack that carries all I need for a couple of nights away.

Are you the poster who was planning to wear cotton dresses to Prague?

It does sound like you don’t have appropriate winter clothing for anywhere, so you should see this as necessary expenses.

However, I don’t understand why you are spending your money on DP clothing. If he decides he needs something he can buy it in Prague. It’s full of shops!

Primark do a Ryanair size bag. It’s £16

This is the kind of stuff you can borrow from friends / family. Someone you know will have a cabin bag that’s the correct size. Very likely someone will have a warm waterproof coat. Base layers are great but you don’t need super posh ones. Aldi / Decathlon are fine. A good pair of grippy boots are essential for UK living too so that’s not really an additional expense.
Have a wonderful time. Prague is beautiful.

You could get anything you need at a decent price in Primark. Pretty sure they have cabin bags. If uou had more time use Vinted. I got a lovely bag brand new for less than half the price on Amazon

In -3 degrees? Blimey and I thought I was hardy!

are you the same player worried about hair washing a week? If so, do you actually want to go at all?

Ffs, just get some Nikwax and re waterproof your coat. I had to re waterproof my RAB jacket this winter, its not a big issue

I was skiiing in the alps last week. I took trainers and ski boots. No issues! Similar temps… -5/6 and a bit icy! I think you need to calm down a bit! Hope you have fun there.

NB not suggesting you take ski boots 😂 Meant that trainers are likely to be sufficient!

Is the man incapable of buying his own socks?

Are you a very anxious person? You are kinda ruining the trip with this over preparing.
Return all.

Use your own bags and clothes, it will be fine!!

Do you not go abroad much or something? You’re making it into such a big deal. Just relax & look forward to the trip.

I was in Krakow a few years ago in January and it was freezing. I did have merino leggings but since wore a hole in them.

I will figure this out.

Of course you will and you can layer clothes.

if you have one big long coat that will do you, or borrow one. Good luck x

I think the cotton dress thing threw people on the other thread. Just winter clothes like jeans, trousers, vest, shirt, sweater and long winter coat, walking boots and of course a warm hat, is fine. I hope you have a lovely time.