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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to go on holiday with an empty suitcase and a credit card?

26 replies

Kladdkaka · 05/10/2011 18:46

Because I can't pack and the stress of trying to do it is going to result in a burst blood vessel or something. :(

So far I've managed to pack a shit aspie suitcase containing: 1 pair of trouser, 40 pairs of socks and 15 t-shirts (all of which are still wet as I wasn't organised enough to get them washed in time); a bag of dog biscuits; several coin bags of various currencies from countries I'm not visiting (just in case) and a phone charger (despite not owning a mobile).

I want to go home and I haven't even left yet. :(

OP posts:
Byeckerslike · 05/10/2011 18:47

Where the hell are you going, you have a lot of socks! :/

Oakmaiden · 05/10/2011 18:48

I think that sounds like a brilliant plan!

ZillionChocolate · 05/10/2011 18:48

Why don't you tell us where you are going so we can help you with a list?

For starters:
toothbrush toothpaste deodorant shower gel shampoo conditioner razor hairbrush

knickers for everyday you'll be there

mumof4sons · 05/10/2011 18:49

I do it all the time, especially if I'm off to the US. Everything is much cheaper there, so why not.

Pack the essentials - jeans, tshirt, sweatshirt, undies, nighty, swimsuit and shorts. Buy everything else.

Original poster
Kladdkaka · 05/10/2011 18:54

I'm going to England, to my mums for 2 weeks. She lives quite close to Tesco.

OP posts:
purplepidjinawoollytangle · 05/10/2011 18:54

One pair of socks per day plus one

One pair of pants per day plus one

One t shirt per day plus one

One pair of jeans or trousers for every three days, including the ones you'll wear to travel

One bra for every three days, including the one you'll wear to travel

One coat, two jumpers

Evening outfit

Make a list of what you'll be doing and what you should wear to do it in, then tick it off as it goes into the case

Pidj has worked with people with AS for years and knows the rules

Smile
ViviPru · 05/10/2011 19:02

Feel your pain K.

DP has ADHD and one of his biggest episode-triggers is preparing to go away. He just about has a full-on meltdown at the thought of packing so I have to pack both of our stuff which I find infinitely stressful (but try and keep it under control so as not to set him off). He's a nightmare for packing damp undies too.

We're going overseas on Friday for the first time in about 4 years and I'm FREAKING OUT at the thought that there is a basket full of laundry still needing doing for the trip, I'm still working as we speak and packing is a dot on the horizon.

AND what the absolute funk is going on with the weather? I bought some nice autumnal investment pieces for the week away and yet Yahoo is telling me its going to be 27° on Sunday Angry

divedaisy · 05/10/2011 19:08

that's a lot of socks lol!
if i was going to US i'd take empty suitcase and credit card... but I'm not so I won't
good luck packing!

ViviPru · 05/10/2011 19:10

I'm tempted, divedaisy only thing is I'll have to buy garms suitable for 27 degrees while we're there, only to get back to snow blizzards in the UK with a suitcase full of flippy dresses and sandals...

Beamur · 05/10/2011 19:12

My chum - if visiting the US where she loves to clothes shop, takes old clothes which she ditches when there and buys a suitcase full of nice things to bring home.

ZillionChocolate · 05/10/2011 19:15

If you're flying, maybe keep one of your jumpers for the plane as they're often cold.

ATruthUniversallyAcknowledged · 05/10/2011 19:34

Purple speaks sense. Use her list. Add toiletries & pyjamas. Take the coins out. Sorted.

ViviPru · 05/10/2011 19:52

Nah. Leave the pyjamas and get some new ones from Tesco I design them

Original poster
Kladdkaka · 05/10/2011 20:04

Purple, thanks I'd totally forgotten coats. I think I need to buy more stuff anyway as I only have 3 pairs of trousers. Socks are easy to buy, that's why I have so many.

I now have a phone to go with the charger. Daughter has given me a crash course but concludes that it'd be easier to teach the dog to use it. Hmm

I've got rid of most of the coins. I've only got a bag of Danish and English now to swap into my purse as I pass the borders.

... and breathe ...

OP posts:
WhereYouLeftIt · 05/10/2011 20:04

Kladdkaka, I used to have a friend who lived in Norway, she'd visit family & friends in Scotland, get on the plane with an empty suitcase and go back paying excess. Clothes were so expensive there and so cheap here in comparison, she said it made sense to do this. So why not give it a whirl?

PigletJohn · 05/10/2011 20:09

"One pair of socks per day plus one
One pair of pants per day plus one
One t shirt per day plus one
One pair of jeans or trousers for every three days, including the ones you'll wear to travel
One bra for every three days, including the one you'll wear to travel"

Only necessary if you're going to a place which has no washing machines.

purplepidjinawoollytangle · 05/10/2011 20:18

I agree, trousers are a PITA to buy!

You don't need any more stress than you already have, so don't worry about the mobile - do take laptop and charger (plus internet dongle if you use one) so that you can check email escape to costa or macdonalds if family life is too much

I get less confused if I have my normal wallet containing my english money/plethora of useless library cards and a totally separate wallet/purse containing the currency of the country I'm visiting.

Piglet, when I posted it wasn't clear where the OP was going or for how long. If a hotel for three days, my list would be plenty - actually, I cba to wash clothes on holiday if I can help it anyway!!

MothInMyKecks · 05/10/2011 20:18

40 pairs of socks FFS?
Are you my husband? Grin

Pavlovthecat · 05/10/2011 20:20

depends on a) where I am going and b) whose credit card I am taking.

Original poster
Kladdkaka · 05/10/2011 21:12

Forget the 40 socks. Husband has just returned from taking the car to fill it up with 2 large carrier bags full of bread.

Me: You do know that they have bread in England?
Him: But I like this bread
Me: How does that white sliced differ from an English white sliced?
Him: Mutter, mutter

:o

OP posts:
EricNorthmansMistress · 05/10/2011 21:53

You're as bad as each other Grin you will get some funny looks from customs if they check your suitcases - bread, socks and nothing else :)

Purple's list is good but a bit excessive since you are going to stay with your mum who presumably has a washing machine.

7 pairs knicks
7 pairs socks
3 pairs trousers
5 tops
2 jumpers
one coat
one evening outfit
trainers, boots, posh shoes
wash bag with toothbrush, paste, face stuff, hairbrush, make up and anything else you use every day
books
phone and charger

MothInMyKecks · 07/10/2011 05:49

Plus the larger Tesco stores here at the moment have some lovely pyjama's in stock. I love those pastel grey one's (even though they sound a bit Hmm) they look dead comfy.

Bring something warm to wear, most definitely. It be getting cold here.

Chundle · 07/10/2011 06:36

Passports! Don't forget them :)

LikeABlackFlameCandleBNQ · 07/10/2011 06:45

ViviPru loving your work Grin

purplewerepidj · 07/10/2011 07:23

Eric, mine is more of a formula for successful packing than a definitive list Grin

Bloody works as well!

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