tell me your absolute essentials to take with you when camping starting with: which tent...

[happyglamper]

ok lovely camping fans, I have finally FINALLY persuaded DH that it will be really good fun to go camping with a group of friends...chill, beer, walks etc etc. I have sold him on the site which has electricity, digital tv etc (I know..). But now we come to the fun bit and I would love your help - what do we need to get - an essentials list, and a 'lovely, nice but not actually necessary' list would be fab.

I am going to trawl through the threads starting with tent porn am going with the thought that like houses, you will always fill the available space so get another bedroom if you can? (there are 4 of us so I'm thinking 5-6 person tent)

There's a thread further down which ended up with a pretty good list I think.

Tent-wise - I've been lusting after a bell tent for years, but upon pondering further I'm wondering if single room living is for us so maybe we'll stick with our Hi Gear Kalahari 10 bright blue shell suit monstrosity until it wears out then buy a bell tent anyway something new.

There is sage advice to be gained in this forum for those who'll listen...

Hi Happyglamper, I find that what were luxuries a decade ago are more and more necessary for the sake of time and comfort

Lately I definitely wouldn't live without a pop up tent, ours is by Quecha, sleeps four (bought it for 2 of us); 2 'bedroom' pods with a decent size middle room dh can stand up in. They also sell tents where you can add on porches and pods for extra room.
Have fun searching, we can never resist a quick look at a tent sale, although it often leads to tent envy.

5m bell tent
warm sleeping bags
SIM
icey tek box for keeping food cold in
some method of cooking
tarp of some description to cook under. I'm getting one of these hopefully tarp
folding camping chairs