Is it too early to pack for my holiday?

[toeaseatroubledmind]

I go away in three and a half weeks.

Growing up I was in a “pack the day before you go” family, which always meant things were left behind, arguments at the airport and generally a miserable first day, traipsing to the supermarket to pick up the forgotten items.

I’m now a “pack the weekend before” person.

My issue is that in the next three and a half weeks the only weekend I have free is this weekend! I just kept saying yes to plans and now don’t feel like cancelling because I need to pack is a good excuse.

AIBU to pack now? Is it far too early?

I like to pack early. It's exciting! I would definitely do it if I was you!

I usually get a case out a week or more before and throw things in as I wash them or think of them. It made it easier when the kids were little. Then just check through the day before and adjust .

What are you washing?

Everything?

Even on MN, I’ve never yet come across anyone who washes all their clean clothes before they go on holiday. I’m such a slattern that I can’t even begin to imagine the thought process.

But this has nothing to do with packing?

If you're (bizarrely) asking us if it's too early to do your holiday laundry, then no it isn't 🤷‍♂️

You said you won't be wearing them anyway so if they're not already clean in your wardrobe, you might as well.

Just do it. I’ve packed weeks before and days before. I’ve also put things in the case months in advance because they were intended for holidays and I didn’t need them before then.

Of course it does. You have to have clean clothes to pack!

Me too on 2 Sep and I’ve started ironing my stuff and putting it in a pile. It’s a real pleasure to prepare for a holiday imho

Well quite, what the OP is suggesting is excessive and a total waste of time, clean clothes don't need rewashing.

Some people invent tasks!

But then you have a half- empty suitcase sitting around for weeks. Mist of us don't have the space for that. Clothes get creased. It just drags everything out.
Packing only takes an hour, so do it the day before. I agree you might need to plan in your head to wash or buy stuff in advance, but packing 3+ weeks before just seems crazy.

You are talking about rewashing clothes that are already clean.

I make a list.
from 2 weeks before if something on the list gets washed it gets folded up and put on the suitcase.

I have all other stuff (adapters etc) in a draw that just need getting out when I want to pack them.

Sunscreen etc is picked up new so film bottles with shopping over the weeks before we go away along with toiletries.

So 3 weeks isn’t early to pack - o just know I’d have to take it all out and check it again the day before 😂 (I do it however early I start preparing!)

What, you rewash all your clean clothes before packing?!

Now I'm thoroughly confused. Why would something stuffed in a suitcase for 3 weeks which is used a couple of times a year be any fresher than something hung in a wardrobe. Mind you, I've never worn a strapless dress or short shorts either. Do whatever makes you happy.

But that won’t take an entire weekend! Also what is the point of ironing stuff when you’re folding it into a suitcase? Take things that don’t need ironing.

You wash clothes that have been put away clean? That is a massive waste of resources, as well as of your time. It's a holiday.....just relax!

You people are lunatics. Pack the day/night before. Who wants clothes that have been sitting in a case for three weeks?

The week or so before we go I will put out a general call asking if there is anything people want to take that needs to be washed. But that is it in terms of pre planning.

Mr Monkey is a pack on the morning before he goes person, but that ia a it much for me.

I don’t get the washing/ironing bit. Are you re-washing clean clothes? Or do you put clothes away that aren’t clean?

Sorry... Rewind - you take (I assume already clean) clothes from your wardrobe and wash dry and iron them again before packing?? This is one of the craziest things I've heard!

But you don't need to pack them just because you've washed them 🤦‍♀️

"AIBU to wash and iron my clothes?" is what you're actually asking.

Sure, and then either fling them in your suitcase or hang them in your wardrobe.

It doesn't matter either way, does it?

I'd like to do this as I always have a mad rush at the end and arrive on board flustered and frazzled. Would the clothes be all creased though? Even if you folded them well, they'd still show lines and the dreaded iron may need to come out whilst away?

So you wash (clean) stuff so its clean and fresh then shove it in a case for 3 weeks.

I am bemused by this. Make a list in the days before. It takes about 15 minutes to then stick it all in a bag. Why does it need to be such a performance

We're going away in just over a week - I'm working next week, then busy next weekend so I'm starting to sort things out today - just things like the bucket and spades/beach games etc that aren't going to be needed over the next week or so. I hate packing though so little and often works best for me 😆

I typically write my list a week or two before I go (drafted on my phone). My holiday kit (toiletries bag, adapter) stays next to the travel bags. I might throw my book, spare fan etc next to it if I remember.

i have to physically see things going into the bag just before I leave (or the night before) as I’ll convince myself it’s not done properly.

Happy holidays!