What are the true essentials that you take camping?

[countdowntoxmas]

Going camping for the first time and want to know what I should really bring with us. What have been your lifesavers and your time wasters?

Just loads and loads of blankets and sleeping bags

we sleep on an airbed, with a sleeping bag on top as a 'mattress topper' a double sleeping bag to sleep in, and a sleeping bag AND blanket on top

More comfy than my own bed, I tells ya

wet wipes, wet wipes, wet wipes.

We call a rub down with wipes a 'camping bath' here

Oooh... a sting pen!

www.boots.com/en/After-Bite-14ml_2293/
Not just for camping... this is a life saver. And spray on plaster.
www.boots.com/en/Boots-Advanced-First-Aid-Spray-Plaster-40ml_122228/

strong shopping bags - you can put shoes outside the tent in one, swimming stuff in another etc
puzzle books, travel scrabble etc for wet days and chilling out
corkscrew
at least 2 towels per person
pegs and maybe something to hang stuff out to dry

I dont like sleeping bags, i take my old duvet and fold it over. Blow up bed with pump that works off cigarette lighter in car. Hottie.
COMFY BED is essential!
Couscous.
Humous in a jar (recent discovery in Morrisons, so no fridge needed)
Quick cook pasta.
Hot water bottles.
Crocs.
Can Do Attitude!
Where are you going?

Flannel sleeping bag liner and fleece pyjamas - I am Mrs Cold Of Coldland, and I will get round to buying a better sleeping bag one day, but for now these will do.

I usually take hot water bottles but got very bored boiling kettles on a gas stove

do you all spend all evening boiling kettles on a gas stove, or is that just me?

Cigarettes and alcohol oh and a bucket.

I have a collapsible bucket for ice. Proper posh, me.