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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To ask for a holiday checklist for dummies

109 replies

Justyou · 31/07/2018 18:28

Hi, I’ve just booked our 1st family holiday abroad (me,dh, 3dc) we’ve never flown since we were young and kids haven’t flown ever.
It’s to Cyprus in 2 weeks Shock it was a combination of never having passports until now , big b day coming up & desperately needing one/wanting one before teenagers don’t wanna come away anymore that led to it being a last minute thing.
Please please could anyone help with any advice that may help, packing lists, airport advice/tips anything at all.
We really are totally clueless - I have been googling but to be honest my head is ready to explode with just researching/booking the holiday, can’t believe how stressful it was having to factor in so much stuff.

I am asking as I know that there will be really obvious things I would never even have thought to pack.
Thank you in hopeful advance!!

OP posts:
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5
Tomatoes100 · 31/07/2018 18:34

Passport, travel insurance, money, emergency money. Anything else is extra

Gardenpicnic · 31/07/2018 18:35

Have you sorted airport parking?

Hayfever / medicines jacket each if evenings cooler bag for beach/pool chargers download books / games / music / films before you go!

Ktay · 31/07/2018 18:38

Possibly a plug adaptor (not sure what sockets they have in Cyprus)?

Mosquito repellent spray/plug ins if needed?

GreenTulips · 31/07/2018 18:44

All medication
Sun cream and mosquito spray
Plugs or take an extension lead and one plug!
Tea bags (maybe that's just me?)
Clothes
Tshirt s shorts
Socks pants
Swimwear
Cover up - long top or similar
Dress or shirt and smart shorts for evening
Makeup - hairbrushes - tooth brushes
Things for the journey
Pack of cards
Book
Pens or coloring or Pensils/paper/book
Passport/hotel details/transport details
Glasses
Money /travelers cheques

Lots of places have a washinh facilities so you can easily wash and dry clothes for pennies

TwoBlueFish · 31/07/2018 18:45

if You are only taking carry on bags then make sure liquids (this includes medicine, lipstick, lip balm, toothpaste, makeup, etc) are each no more than 100mls and you put them into clear plastic bags.

needtimealone · 31/07/2018 18:46

Place marking as we go next week!!!!

OracleofDelphi · 31/07/2018 18:48

I know people say you can buy stuff but it can be hard to find or much more expensive. Heres a quick list I wrote for my Turkey holiday 2 weeks ago!
Lots of suncream we had 6 tubes
Plug adaptors, mosquito spray, wet wipes,
Charging sockets and leads
Calpol / Hayfever medicine / Nurofen
I always take my thermometer and nit comb ! (memories of discovering nits whilst abroad and no nitty grittys in site - ugh!)
Thats all literally one bag of toiletries.

Then I take small shower gel / shampoo / conditioner / body wash as Im allergic to most fragranced ones.

Holiday insurance, car parking at airport or cabs

Ipads etc with films already downloaded from Netflix

Swimming goggles and 3 swimming costumes each in case they dont dry at night. I always take a small bag of paracetomol, plasters etc as again if you are in a resort you can be no where near a pharmacy.

Also take a big beach bag - if you are in a resort it can be a walk down to the beach with towels, goggles etc. Doubles up as a shopping bag too.

We take inflatables for kids to use in the pools or beach and a pump as inflatables can cost £15 upwards abroad and kids love being in them.

Aftersun and cardigan or sweatshirt to wear on the plane or if you get back late at night. we got back at 5 am on Sunday when it poured with rain and the kids were cold.

Books / magazine / sticker books for the plane in case devices run out of charge due to delays. Snacks - for the way out I shove a banana, granola, chocolate etc into my rucksack as again someone is always hungry at the wrong time. some of the above will depend how old your kids are. If yours are younger I also used to take their formula as they didnt like other brands, and Ive even been known to pack a Bumbo! But I am good at squuezing everything into teeny places!

Hope this helps.

OracleofDelphi · 31/07/2018 18:49

Oh yes as I buy travel tubes of travel wash for a quick swill in the sink. Pens and paper for games, cards for a game of cheat after dinner, and some coins for diving into the pool for.

pumpkintree · 31/07/2018 18:49
  1. passport
  2. tickets
  3. money
  4. email a copy of your pasport to yourself along with your ticket info.
  5. pack clothes, check weather should be very hot where your going.
  6. suncream and medication that can go in the case.
7.medication that goes in hand luggage.
  1. pack stuff for kids on the flight in own little draw string bags, mags,few snacks, paper and pen etc.
  2. relax, if you have money or a card then all will be fine. i would advise a good watch and allow plenty of time.
CasperGutman · 31/07/2018 18:51

Be sure to close the front door behind you when you leave. Don't assume your partnet has done this because they were the last out; it will still be your fault when the neighbour lets you know it's been wide open all morning.

Otherwise, have fun and relax!

Petalbird · 31/07/2018 18:57

If taking more than one case put a bit of everyone's stuff in each in case one gets lost. Kids toy / plane entertainment in their own back packs which they can carry not mini suitcases as they are hard to open on planes

Justyou · 31/07/2018 19:02

Oh god thank you all so much, just a quick read now as doing kids teas/jobs but def read properly later as already saw lots I’d have missed.
How does airport work - what can I take in hand luggage, where do meds go, can I take a drink/do I put stuff in a clear bag or just carry on bag.
I really have no clue at all.
Can you take aerosol sprays on a plane or do they explode???? Blush

OP posts:
Monkeymonstermum · 31/07/2018 19:03

Agree with take one or two adapters then take an extension lead - revolutionary for us!

I buy a new TK Maxx mega shopping bag as they make great beach bags for beach towels etc and are bright and colourful.

Villa or hotel? For villa, teabags, dishwasher tablets, bars of soap, anti bac wipes and rubber gloves (maybe tea towel)

Beach towels (hotels don’t usually include). I get the lightweight hamam (?sp).

Anti mozzie room vapouriser thing

Sunglasses
Hat

Depends on age of children but for little ones I love Boden hooded towels (buy few sizes up so cover their privates) and towelling shorts to throw on after pool.

Take empty water bottles for small children and they struggle to drink from large water bottle (and gob in it 🤢).

Water shoes/crocs for children

Monkeymonstermum · 31/07/2018 19:05

Non chocolate snacks if you have messy toddlers

Justyou · 31/07/2018 19:13

Have dc 15,12,8 & in hotel!

OP posts:
watfordmummy · 31/07/2018 19:20

Not sure if been mentioned but extension lead - we take one travel adapter plug per room and plug in extension cable for devices.

Saves a lot of arguments!!

watfordmummy · 31/07/2018 19:21

Set up a WhatsApp group for communicating between selves if have free WiFi.

Justyou · 31/07/2018 19:24

Wow great ideas thanks so much!

OP posts:
Monkeymonstermum · 31/07/2018 19:34

Spare swimmimg goggles - we seem to have a habit of breaking them.....

Justyou · 31/07/2018 19:37

Can you take aerosols on a plane like deodorant and things in your case or not with pressure change?
Where is the best place to buy suitcases and will I have any luck shopping tomorrow or will everywhere be sold out of summer clothes?

OP posts:
justtypicalme · 31/07/2018 20:01

Extension lead for multiple chargers etc.. takes a wee bit longer to charge phones etc but means no fighting over sockets/adaptors! (A room I stayed in once had 2 plugs 🤷🏼‍♀️)

buttermilkwaffles · 31/07/2018 20:54

www.gov.uk/hand-luggage-restrictions

Gardenpicnic · 31/07/2018 21:13

Take Minstrels. They don't melt Wink

whattimeislove · 31/07/2018 21:20

Debenhams have lots of suitcases in the sale. Buy the 4 wheeled ones - easier to move around.

whattimeislove · 31/07/2018 21:21

Still lots of summer clothes around. I'd hit primark especially as they have cheap sunglasses etc (I always lose/break them)

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