AIBU to ask how to make packing easier?

[Polkapjs]

Every holiday wherever we go - I pack for us all but hate it. I find it so stressful.
I was amazed when a friend told me to pack an extension lead instead of a bag of many adapters. Mind blown. Again
Is there an easier way or is packing just a pain in the arse? I seem to need so much stuff and will need make up before I go so need to remember that once I’m ready tomorrow. My hat is too rigid to pack. The fridge needs emptying and I bet I forget. Very tiring. First world problem I know. I’m lucky to be going away.

Make a spreadsheet of everything you pack and save it to refer to and edit each year.

Have a dedicated travel toilet bag, medicine/first aid bag and bag of bits like adapters etc that you replenish at the end of each holiday. Then you just chuck them in.

Keep clothes simple and don't go crazy, you will never wear it all.

Don't sweat it - as long as you remember everyone's passport and any important medication, anything you may have forgotten you can probably buy or live without.

I also take a small bag with stuff I hopefully won't need but don't want to have to find at 2am. Tampons diarreah tablets ibuprofen calpol sachet etc.

200 nights in hotels! I don't enjoy hotels for more than one or two nights at a time so I stay in villas or air b and bs. But surely even the most expensive hotel won't have my favourite hair oil!

I want to get some packing cubes but there is a huge variety. Can anyone recommend any particular ones?

I have Eagle Creek ones... they are very expensive however when I got them they were the only ones I’d ever seen and I’ve had them for 15 years now still all going strong.

Oh, another tip.

If you are going hand luggage only but for like a week - I do a boots order and pick it up after security at the airport. That way you can take a few big bottles of sun cream with you etc and you don’t have to faff around at boots, just pick it up and go.

I have a small zip bag that has medical things in it - antiseptic wipes, pills, and those travel packs of children’s medicine.

Where we go it’s for 2 weeks so I plan a wash in half way.

The things I never end up using is shoes. One comfy day time pair and a compact travelling pair and a night pair is usually enough.

After getting to destination once and discovering one suitcase was missing (for four days), I now do four piles of clothing for DH, me, DD1 and DD2 and then mix them up in four cases so if any go missing no one is left clotheless for days.

serbska that’s a fabulous idea!

Basic packing list plus other lists of extras depending on type of holiday e.g holiday abroad is different to uk camping holiday.
Update after every holiday to add bits you forgot and take off bits that weren't needed.
Everyone has their own list and are responsible for getting their things together. The dc from about age 6 or 7 could collect their clothes based on a list. This cuts down on time as I find the worst bit is finding everything. I dont list eg 4 tops, 2 trousers but 2 hot weather casual outfits, 1 smart outfit... then you take clothes that go together.

Pinterest is your friend. I never go minimal, either. I have a variety of packing cubes for each member of the family. Each person has a different colour. I have a couple of those hanging toiletry bags from LLBean because I think hotel toiletries are shit unless you're staying in a really top hotel. Fuck that. I like all my shit. I have loads of travel accessories and have an entire cupboard in our house with travel and camping stuff, bags of various sizes, rucksacks, cases, etc. We love cruising so I even have a non-surge multi-socket designed for cruises.

As for bringing own washing liquid/powder, I'll bring Dr Bronner's liquid soap with me on some trips and my Scrubba. I've used this on cruises a couple of times and camping.

Get onto Pinterest. And if you're not into travelling light ignore all the sanctimonious minimalists and learn how to cram it all in!

Lots of good ideas here. Just to add that Youtube has an abundance of helpful videos on packing, which I've found really useful.

On the back of this thread I have just ordered some waterproof shoe packing bags off amazon... I have found that since we have stopped getting plastic bags with all the shopping I never have any to put shoes in or to put swimming costumes etc in.

A tip for sunshine holidays from my much travelled sis. Two bikinis max unless you want multiple tan lines. And only 3 sets of undies, you can wash them out easily and who wants to have a case full of dirty pants?!
Add a plastic bag or two for laundry and a separate one for the potentially wet swim gear from the last day.
I'm a big fan of making a list, usually a day or so before packing.

Two bikinis max unless you want multiple tan lines.

Not applicable to me, every single one of my bikinis is the same style just different colours and patterns. This is the one, I have it in this colour too. The bandeau top has detachable straps but I don't wear them as it never falls down and I don't have small boobs either. bandeau

For whoever was asking about packing cubes, we have 2 sets of ebay cheapies. Each set was about £7 and had 3 cubes with mesh fronts, in different sizes, and 3 zip pouches from large to pencil-case-ish.

We find that plenty for the 4 of us for a week. Children are tweens though, so probably in a packing sweet spot between all the gubbins of smaller children and bigger clothes of older ones.

Why can’t you just use carrier bags instead of paying out for packing cubes? Can you explain why they are better?

I just roll everything. We travel a lot and I've previously spent a year living out of a rucksack. Have separate travel toiletries.

Train your kids to pack for themselves. There's nothing cute about being clueless after the age of 10.

If you pack clothes and toiletries for DH he has an equal responsibility such as all electronics and travel documents, otherwise adults pack for themselves.

And only 3 sets of undies, you can wash them out easily and who wants to have a case full of dirty pants?

I’d rather have a case of dirty pants than have to repeatedly wash them out on holiday!

I must be weird I looooveeee packing it’s gets me all excited for my holiday! Make a list and follow it. Packing cubes.

5 of us and take 2 suitcases

2 leggings/dress/shorts
2 day dresses
4 tops
2 swimwear / cover up
Shoes you travel in and fancy shoes
Socks and pants 4 days
Medicine and toiletries
Most days spent in swimwear so no need for loadsnof clothes worn a couple of hours

I do a mid week wash and a last day wash so I don't have to go home to washing and the sun dries it quickly abroad. Most places have huge washing machines and I take my book for half an hours peace. And a cold drink. Try it!

Kids given a list and have packed their own stuff since they were about 5 -

DD15 has recently been abroad with a friend and she packed for herself (although I did a run through) no list needed

Why can’t you just use carrier bags instead of paying out for packing cubes? Can you explain why they are better?

For one, the packing cubes are pretty cheap if you go with basic ones. Another is that they often have mesh on top so you can easily see what's in them. They also fit easily into drawers.

I take carrier bags and zipped plastic bags along on holidays (a carrier bag is also handy on long haul flights to collect your rubbish) and even a couple of Spacebags for holiday purchases, so they definitely have a place, but packing cubes are brilliant and basic ones are pretty cheap.

I first bought small ones off Ebay and then got a few medium and large ones that are handy for Winter travel if you're packing things like jumpers or snow gear.

Halve the amount of stuff you take. Make a strict list and keep to it. Most people dont wear most of the clothes they take.