Self catering - life hacks and what to bring

[Selfcateringnotaholiday]

We're going a week's self catering in a holiday cottage in the summer. Looks nice enough but haven't done self catering for a while as it's just more cooking and cleaning.

Looking for some tips on things you like to bring like little luxuries or just practical useful things.

So far on my list are a Brita jug to save countless plastic bottles of water, my new coffee flask and some slippers. DCs have already asked if they can have the small cereal boxes - they're easily pleased!

A decent knife and a thin chopping board. (Away in a cottage at the moment, remembered the knife but forgot the chopping board.)

Yes to a decent knife and chopping board.
Corkscrew.
Favourite coffee mug - the teeny tiny cups in holiday lets don’t work for me in the mornings!

I’ve taken my air fryer away in the past - much easier to do sausages/bacon in the morning without cleaning a grill pan.

What is it about those little boxes, my brothers and I loved them then my children, I now buy them for the grandchildren.

right a list and tick off as you pack then tick again when packing to come home.

loo rolls
kitchen roll
tea towels
dish cloth
washing up liquid / dish washer
laundry tablets if you think you will do any - I just throw a few in a bag instead of a whole box same as dishwasher
one thing I always take, even staying in a hotel, is a piece of washing line and a few pegs so you can rig somewhere up to dry swim stuff over night
bleach ( I get that spray bleach and spray the sink and bathroom when I first arrive, DH says I’m obsessive but I just like to do it, I also run the plates etc through the dish washer )

paper plates ( I don’t normally agree with them, but you’re on holiday)
disposable bbq if there’s a garden (or buy a really cheap one that will die after a few uses)
black sacks (rubbish and dirty laundry)

tin / bottle opener
wooden spoon ?
matches ?

last time I went I bought a set of cheap plastic food storage boxes, they were really useful for odds and ends leftovers etc,

tinfoil /cling film/food bags

tbh, I take all his stuff but don’t always use it, we would have breakfast (cereal/toast juice coffee) then buy stuff for a picnic everyday as we wanted it and then eat out of get takeout or stuff for bbq, I feel you’re on holiday and very entitled to buy ready made salads etc.

ohh - don’t forget tea/coffee / squash and sugar

We always order an online shop to arrive at holiday home on first night with meals planned for all week so no searching/wasting time shopping. Always plan nice meals using simply cook receipe kits.

Sounds crazy but I always bring my handheld hoover. I'm a bit of a neat freak and I can't bear sand inside the caravan etc.
Extra loo rolls.
Bring things like Calpol etc too as you just never know.
One thing I always like to bring is a nice blanket or throw from home too.

Bungee cord(s) with the hooks on each end and some pegs. I always take a couple in different lengths and always find a use for them - holding a door open/tethering it closed if unsafe, instant washing line on a balcony or in a bathroom, binding a suitcase closed on a memorable trip when the bloody zip broke.

Now I’ve had chance to think about it…

I usually bring a bag of household/kitchen essentials - flash wipes, kitchen roll, foil, dishwasher tablets, scouring pad, a couple of tea towels, salt and pepper, handwash, oil for cooking, brown sauce - anything that you could do without having to go out and buy when you get there. A couple of hand towels for the bathrooms are useful depending on what’s provided. I have a friend who always takes her own pillow.

Lakeland do ‘Fat Trappers’ if you might be doing cooked breakfasts - anything to make clearing up easier.

Cool box, ice packs, Tupperware boxes if we’re likely to be taking picnics at any point.

Citronella candles and matches if you might be sitting outside in the evenings.

All the above plus a non stick frying pan and my own rubber gloves.

My DD likes to take her own pillow.

We don't bring food other than salt/pepper as going to the local shops is part of the holiday and we prefer to choose food or decide to eat out day by day rather than planning ahead. A sharp knife and small chopping board, a kitchen roll, dishwasher tablets in case there aren't enough. Those plastic bags for making ice cubes in. Ziplock sandwich bags, foil, bag clips, a few clothes pegs, a few elastic bands, first aid bits. That's about it for us.

I’ve cube bags go on every holiday with me. I’ll usually have a wee bag of essential cleaning bits bit ice cube bags can be hard to find if you forget them.

Extension cable! Always take whether UK or abroad, hotel or SC as there never seem to be enough plug sockets or they aren’t in the right place.

And if you forget the plug adapter for your charger look at the back/side of the telly there’s usually a USB port you can plug into to charge your device.

Thanks all good and sensible suggestions - it does look as though we may be bringing everything but the kitchen sink! I applaud all you people who enjoy this😄

I forgot to add that we will be booking a grocery order so that will cover food, drink and snacks. I'm sure we'll have takeaways or eat out too. I'll add some cleaning wipes, washing sponge and washing up liquid to the order. Makes me grateful for supermarket deliveries in this country.

Things I've added to my list from the suggestions here also include tupperware for storing food or opened packets, a sharp knife and small chopping board, ice bags, extension cable, tea towels and hand towels. All good practical stuff! Any ideas on little luxuries? I plan to add some nice snacks to the food order as well as lots of wine.

I draw the line at a small hoover though @DontGoChasinWaterfalls !!

I’ve booked a UK holiday rental after years of staying in hotels….much to DHs dismay as he loves a cooked breakfast and coming back to fresh towels and a made up bed. Christ if I start packing the car with all this stuff…’just pop the hoover in dear’ he’ll have a fit….

We used to SC every summer – in the same house (lovely) so we knew what to bring.

If unknown I would take (I am assuming here travel by car so hopefully enough room):

Chopping board (for some reason they are always glass in HHs)
Sharp bread/salad knife
Big frying pan
Big serving spoon and wooden spoon
Selection of condiments – salt, pepper, oil, herbs, chilli powder as needed to save rebuying
A few frozen meals (defrost in the car but then eat in first day or so) – lasagne, pasta bake
A couple of boxes of treats – brownies, cookies to save ££
Washing up liquid and dishwasher tabs
Washing powder or tabs or what you use (never stay anywhere without a washing machine)
Big coffee or tea mug
Favourite herbal teabags

Will think and see if I can come up with anything else.
Caveat: we were travelling with small DC and I like to cook, plus we were on a budget, so happy to cook meals as if at home. Some with prefer or have ££ to eat out a lot in which case no need for all the above.

ETA: see now @Selfcateringnotaholiday I would just take the washing up liquid and scourers. Why buy a whole pack if you are there for a week or two only?

Yes to the sharp knife ( or knife sharpener) Because they never are! Favourite mug and large plastic cup for night time. Mugs and glasses never big enough. Tin foil if you know there won’t be any. Olive oil, salt and pepper grinders and coffee. Good quality sandwich boxes for days out. It would never cross my mind to take cleaning products or a mini hoover! If winter kindling and firelighters if there’s a stove or fireplace. I usually take food too ( such as a frozen chick to thaw on the way in a cool box, bread, cheese butter, veg) as stay in remote places usually and cook everything from scratch. Thermos. Ice blocks in summer to keep food cool.

Definitely a sharp knife and clean chopping board. We usually pack a coffee pot as well.

Some treats for me Gin, tonic water and some nice lemons. Some nice biscuits. Crisps and hummus. A good book.

It goes without saying that you have to have the mini boxes of cereal when on holiday.

Tea towels - there’s never enough in cottages.

Dishwasher tabs - some places supply them, but it’s easier to take a few with you, then having to buy a new box.

toilet rolls

Snacks
cheese biscuits and an array of cheeses - nice to have with sone nice red wine wine in the evening

I’d take a bottle or two of Prosecco and some nice crisps, all the better if you have somewhere to sit outside in the evening to have them.

Check the reviews and with the owner before bringing cloths and stuff. We never bring those. But I only book places that look as nice or nicer than our own home, “nice enough” would not make the cut!

We’re in a holiday cottage at the moment. I brought a decent sized mug, washing up liquid, rubber gloves etc. I didn’t bring a sharp knife…which is the thing I’m missing most! The cutlery here is absolutely awful, our camping cutlery is better. Dinner is hard work 🤣

Take one spare kitchen roll. It doubles up as napkins and toilet roll at a pinch.
I have a nesting strainer/salad bowl that I use every day at home and sometimes feel I can’t do without!

Little treats can be
Hot chocolate sachets and mixed fruit teas.
A fancy tin of biscuits that will remind you of the holiday. M&S have them all year round.
Meal deals that are time- and labour-saving.
Part baked croissants and baguettes for lazy breakfasts.
Obviously, variety packs of cereals! On one SC holiday DD and I met at the Poundland till, each clutching a variety pack!

We mostly just always took toys and games for the DC and extra pillows and towels. Things for days out like water bottles, picnic stuff etc (sandwich bags/foil, a few small plastic pots). Also washing up liquid. Maybe a bit of cooking oil, sugar and basic seasonings if you have some in the cupboard and don't want to have to buy all new. Sometimes previous visitors will have left some but not always. Usually take a sharp knife.

Lots of the above
extra tea towels
blanket for each child that they use in the car and like to have in the cottage/lodge
picnic mat for days out but also use it for children to sit on outside the cottage/lodge when playing