Fess up: who has a 'packing and preparing for holiday' spreadsheet?

[WilfSell]

and would like to share it with me? and [anal retentive emoticon]

[lazy emoticon]

Of the driving to France with lots of kiddy kit kind. The kind of kit I can't possibly forget otherwise we're gonna have to drive back 800 miles or spend a HUGE amount of Euros replacing pushchairs etc.

And while I'm on... Best exchange rate gamble please? Buy some Euros now? Wait a coupla weeks? Buy em in France?

Ta. Now if you could just come over and actually DO my packing I'll lick your face.

Bugger. Pyjamas for all 3.

See that's the kind of thing I forget and then they have to sleep in their clothes.

Oh im obviously completely anal too.

I have an excel workbook with sheets :

holiday abroad,
weekend with the kids,
weekend without the kids

It has tickboxes and if im away and realise ive forgotten something useful I add it to the list when I get home for next time.

If I take something we dont use...it gets taken off for next time.

I know I need to get out more really

Actually thinking about my life in general these days its the only thing I am organised about.

I am suffer from shocking list-mania, and I am going to take this thread and wrap it round me like a comfort blanket.

There's a website with a list checker thingy that's handy but I can't find it in my favourites - you type in where you're going and who you're taking and it offers helpful ideas.

Start at the bottom and work to the top and out, ie toenail varnish, varnish remover, nailfile, then move onto socks, tights, shoes. Then move onto razor for legs, then fake tan etc etc if that makes sense?

Just brng enough nappies for the first day and travel. They have shops in France, I believe.

Towels. You haven't got towels. You'll need extra for swimming.

Do any of the kids need armbands/floats?

A very familiar reassuring security-blanket equivalent bedtime book. For years chez Hassled it was Hairy McClary - I can still recite it off by heart.

I'll get my coat now.

That is a good start Wilf.

Have you missed Underarm deodorant? I always forget to write that one down. So then I get obssessed with not forgeting it, so I write it down about 20 times on the list. And tick it off all 20 times. Better safe than sorry.

I have 31 documents on the "Packing Lists" folder on my PC .

So that's 31 different types of breaks and therefore 31 lists.

Although I think some are duplicated in that when I am mostly packed I delete what is packed and leave a short list for the day before or morning of leaving.

Oh and I add to lists after the holidays too. Especially the summer holiday. I always come back with a note that says "TAKE FEWER CLOTHES" ROFL .

31 lists!

I haven't even got to me and DH yet but thanks for the tips.

Towels. Yes.

armbands! YES

see, now I would definitely have forgotten those, despite them being obv next to 'trunks' on the list [doh]

When we used to go camping...it used to start

Tent
Cooker
Beds
Sleeping bags

You may laugh but we have all forgotten one of them at some time

Right, me [DH can fend for himself]

trousers 4
tops 4
shirts 2
fleece
long cardigan
dress

socks 4
knickers 4
bras 2

cleanser
moisturiser
make-up
hairbrush
deodorant

sundry vitamins/minor ailment treatments

PJs

ipod
trainers
walking boots
shoes x2

camera
mini DV recorder
phone
endless list of chargers

There seem to be many, many essentials missing from this list but I cannot for the life of me think what they are...

I have a list as a word document (excell is too scary for me!) but it's quite vague, just saying things like 'clothes' or 'shoes' so I still have to decide on items as I pack them. It also hasn't been updated for a long time, for example under DD it says nappies, but she has been dry for 2 years now. At least I get to cross some things off straight away.

To add to your list, WilfSell, here are a few bits from my list:

Tickets
Frequent Flyer Cards
Passports
Foreign Money
Dictionary
Driving Licences
Proof of ID for car hire

Pushchair + Raincover
Travel Highchair
Camera + batteries
Binoculars
Torches + batteries
Guides + Maps

Sanitary protection

Waterproof coat
Glasses
Contact lenses
Swimsuit
Sunglasses

...sorry if you already have any of these on your list!

oooh, just been trying that packing list online and it's quite good.

I just thought I should say that I also have

Water all plants
Empty all bins

on my list.

General:

Towels (only need swimming ones really)
Pop-up sunshade for outside
pushchair
shade for pushchair
picnic box/bag
coolblocks
water bottles
suncream

plasters
Calpol
antiseptic wipes
handwash stuff for on the move
mat for nappy changing

yellow warning jacket and triangle (apparently it is compulsory for driving in France?)
map
Satnav (yup: we would probably leave it at home, even thoughwe bought it for this trip )

erm, passports

Am I done?

ooh yes: Mooncup. Will need that!

Yes to: booking ref and credit card for Eurotunnel, phrase book/dictionary, driving licences. insurance docs, raincover (would have put the sunshade in and forgotten that no doubt)... Thanks hollyhobbie.

Am gonna look on that website now.

I love spreadsheets.

I have about 10 on the external harddrive (don't forget to back up your computer, mine would have been lost if I hadn't done so just before the old laptop went woooosh)

Weekend city break with DC
Weekend city break without DC
Week Holiday home cold weather
Week Holiday home warm weather
Summer holiday in Scotland
Winter holiday in Scotland ...

and so on.

Take enough nappies for the drive and buy the rest in France.

Don't forget that there are HUGE supermarkets in France that are even open on Sundays so you can buy anything that you need.

Leave enough space to bring back some souveniers wine.

i do a list, i also keep 2 ikea bags which are full of holiday esentials.i kill myself in the loft to find them then pick through what i need.one suitcase has dh and mine holiday only clothes.
i also have a draw which has passports and birth certificates etc all to hand.
immodium, worm medicine, calpol and a kit with syringes and tubes incase we have an accident in a dodgy part of the world,i bought it in 1999 and has never been used.

Here is my list generated by that website. Think I was being a bit optimistic when I described hiking as one of our activities. Accordingly, I have deleted the 'SAS survival guide' and 'climbing ropes' from our list

On the way
Soft drinks Candy
Snacks for on the way Energy bars
Energy drinks Coffee/thee
Book Presents for on the way
Headset mobile phone Road maps
Route description Petrol card
Sweetener Small "on the road" presents for children
Waist bag for in the car Travel pillow
Fruit Raisins
Juice or soft drinks Baby changing bag
Portable DVD + films Favorite toys
Baby bottle with enough milk. Extra set of clean clothes for child

----------------

Money and Banking
Bank cards Credit cards
Cash Medical insurance card

----------------

Travel documents
Vehicle insurance documents Passport/identity card
Drivers license Accident form
RAC/AA card Vehicle registration
Travel guides

----------------

Cloths
Shower slippers Outdoor pants
Bathing suit/bikini Blouses
Under wear Belt
Hair-ribbon Under shirts/ T-shirts
Dresses Trousers
Shirts Stockings
Knee high stockings Cap
Pajamas Dresses
Shoes Long sleeved shirts
Socks Sporting clothes
Trainers Shoe laces
Hiking shoes Slippers
Swimming trunks Bra's

----------------

Personal belongings
Pair of glasses Glasses case
Contact lenses & fluids Watch
Keys Wallet
Spare glasses Jewelry
Sun glasses

----------------

Toiletries
Aftershave/perfume After sun lotion
Body lotion Hair conditioner
Moisturizer Deodorant
Shower gel/soap Shower cap
Floss Hair blower
Gel/wax/hair spray Hair bands & clips
Comb/hair brush Lady shave
Sanitary towels & tampons Make up
Nail clipper Tweezers
Cleanser Shaving gear
Shampoo/soap Mirror
Tooth brush Tooth picks
Tooth paste Vaseline
Cotton pads

----------------

Health & medicine
Handkerchiefs Anti height/sea/car sickness medicine
Contraceptive pills Condoms
First aid kid Personal medicines
Band-aids Insect repellent
Cold sore creme Pain killers
Talcum powder Thermometer
Ointment for insect bites Sun cream

----------------

Various
Shoe polish Present for hosts
Duvet/sleeping bag/blanket Duvet cover
Traveling bag Beach mat
Beach bag Tie-wraps
Hiking map Water tight container
Dictionary Compass
Tape Rope
Pocket knife Back pack cover
Day pack SAS survival guide
Water bottle Pen or pencil
Writing paper Walking stick
Back pack whistle
walkie-talkie

----------------

Children
Changing mat Baby towels
Baby wipes Baby alarm
Baby food Baby oil
Bathing oil Ointment
Drinking cup Day pack
Bucket and shovel Fleece blanket
Bottle heater Baby spoon
Carrycot Painkillers for child (suppository)
Painkillers for child Buggy
Crayons Cuddly toy
Baby wipes Nappies
Hypo allergic cream Milk bottle
Tummy tub Pot
Back carrier Bibs
Toys Thermos flask
Sleeping bag Cotton bud
Inflatable arm bands Slippers
Children's toothbrush Children's toothpaste
Baby nail clippers Pants
Dresses and skirts Baby bottom creme
Tape for sockets Socks
Shoes Swimming pants
Bathing suit Pajamas
Cap Underwear
Vests Children's sunglasses
Baby´s bed linnen

----------------

Tools
Cell phone and charger Phone card
Photo/video camera Memory cards or film
Music (CD/MD/MP3) GPS (Global Positioning System)
Flashlight Sewing kit
Radio Alarm clock
Tools Safety pins
Binoculars International plug

----------------

Kitchen
Biscuits

----------------

Food
Candy Fruit
Dried food Chewing gum
Cookies Emergency ration(s)
Instant coffee Soup (powder)
Water Nuts

----------------

Leisure
Badminton rackets & shuttle Bal
Books Inflatable boat
Frisbee Game computer & games
Hammock Musical instrument
Nature guide book Games
Paddles Hand net
Sketch pad Magazines

----------------

Car
Car tools Spark plug (plus spanner)
Navigation CD-ROM European Accident form
Warning (triangle flares) Coolant
Jack LPG adapter
Motor oil Car lamp
Spare light bulbs Spare tire
Windshield cleaner Towing-rope
Jumper cable Vehicle manual
Fuses Children´s reading book on CD.

----------------

Climbing gear
Camelbak

----------------

Addresses
Emergency numbers Phone number embassy
Phone number to freeze bank cards

----------------

Before you leave...
Travel insurance Set Out of office assistant
Children in passport Car check up
Check if passport is valid Place parking permit
Organize mail collection when away Pay bills
Set timers for lights Turn heating down
Switch on voice mail/answering machine Take the garbage out
Switch off alarm clock Water the plants

Though wtf I need 'cloths' for I've no idea

You are not going to have space for the DC.

Unless you have a bus.

WTF is a Camelbak?