What's your packing process?

[MrsJigsaw]

How long does it take you to pack? Do you make lists, just do it in a couple of hours, or spread it over a day or two?

I think I take far too long, and my husband agrees! He gets everything out that he wants to take in about 30 mins. My process seems to take about 2 days (off and on!).

Admittedly, I like to take on responsibility for the joint stuff, e.g. toiletries, medical supplies, travel snacks, but I still dont know why it takes me so long. Perhaps its because I'm fitting it around personal holiday prep such as painting toenails and dying eyelashes!

Any tips shared much appreciated!

Although there was one infamous time when the DCs were small and I was supervising their packing, while also packing the nappy bag - a 7 hour drive later, we got to our destination to discover that DH had not packed a bag at all! He seemed to think that the nappy bag I brought down with the DCs bags had his clothes in it?!

I couldn't understand how he'd come to this conclusion, as not only had he not asked, I had never packed for him before (or since) - he had to go to a local farm supply store and buy a couple of flannel shirts and dickies work trousers to wear all week!

I make hell a lot of lists and keep them with me. And I think twice before putting everything on the list.

@MeetMeOnTheCorner nothing's wrong with taking a wheely case, I just hate fighting for space in the overhead bins, worrying if my bag is the wrong size and they will force me to check it at the gate, and I really hate checking bags having had bags lost or damaged over the years! If I really have to check something I always put an airtag in it as I don't trust the airlines an inch.

If you bring 3 tops, 3 bottoms and 3 layering pieces you can put together 27 different outfits which is more than enough for me. I do know that other people care more about their clothes than I do though.

Packing isn't that deep. Where are you going, what do you need? Put in a pile. Look again, do you really need all of it?

What do you take but never wear? Leave that at home next time.

I pack super quickly. Even if I go for two weeks I usually only take hand luggage. Start with underwear , I take dresses and linen trousers and tops that I roll and can be used day or night . Travel in trousers and trainers I make a list

I think it does make a big difference how much you care about your clothes and vary your look. Some of my friends can literally take 6 tops, 3 bottoms and everything will go together as they wear stuff in the same shape/cut and colour palette.

I like to wear a few different styles and lots of different colours and it does take more thought for me to pack as a result

Depends how long the holiday is….

anything up to a week we generally just do the day before in about an hour.

long haul for 3 weeks we take almost all the summer clothes we own so the suitcases are open in the spare room for about a week and we throw things in as they’re washed/dry then the night before I spend half an hour folding it properly and checking off our packing list.

A list split by person, which I wrote in advance so I’ve got a couple of days to add everything I forgot. Then the day before is sorting clean laundry that I’ve procrastinated, sometimes for months. Then an hour or so.

Unless it’s a bad time. That’s just flinging enough pants and socks into a bag and walking round the house grabbing what looks useful.

I usually start a few weeks ahead in case clothes don't fit or I need to order something new

I have lists on my phone for different types of holiday to help me not forget things

The suitcase will come out 2 or 3 days before & stuff gets plonked in it and then the night before we go I'll iron anything that needs ironing and pack properly.

We tend to go on city breaks or active holidays.
Wash all clothes and put them away.
Bag on bed
Wash bag and bag of chargers, adapters etc, first aid kit, bag of useful stuff (washing line, calpol sachets, needle & thread etc) live in travel bag.
count out underwear & socks that I’ll need
count out outfits that I’ll need - 2 tops per jeans
add a couple of jumpers
add pjs
add accessories
add anything “specialist” - running kit, waking gear, swimming stuff etc.
add shoes
add books

Get hand luggage bag
add
kindle, headphones
Passports, currency, travel insurance, water bottle.

takes about an hour

Yeah… I chuck it all in then I wear the same flip flops and floaty dress I always wear on holiday, basically every day 😅

We usually have very active holidays several times a year so I have extra sets of sports clothing. When we get home, everything gets washed and repacked, including underwear, socks and pjs. I refill the toilet bag and repack it too.

So when I need to pack for a holiday I just add a few bits such as books and anything seasonal which isn't already done.

It takes me longer to water all my houseplants before we go than it does to pack.

I find the clothes easy. It’s all the other stuff that takes thinking about !

chargers & adaptor plugs (Need to check local plug sockets and remember toothbrush charger). Medical kit (just plasters & calpol, or dioralyte/imodium etc too? Have we run out?). Entertainment for the kids (water toys? Card games?). Location specific kit (do we need water shoes? Snorkelling gear?). Buy more suncream. Check if towels are supplied. Check if toiletries are supplied & if so what. Do we need a beach bag. Or a rucksack. Refillable water bottles. If self catering - tea bags. Clips & freezer bags.

If it’s a ski holiday- all the above plus what ski gear still fits the kids and what needs ordering. Needs to be thought about at least 10 days ahead to allow for new kit orders/try on.

I’ve packed for a lot of holidays and only the basic beach/pool holidays staying in one place are easy.