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.

ye-e-es. Camelbak. Boggling.

I'm not too sure we're going to need a hammock or a compass either. Ho hum.

I have a spreadsheet - yes I am a sad geek! It has extra bits for camping/skiing/biking/work trips too

Dunno how to post it on here though!

PS a Camelbak is a sort of water bottle (more like a bag really) in a rucsac, with a tube coming from it - designed for cycling and other sports so you can sip from it as you go along and don't have to keep stopping to get it out etc. Do I get extra geek points for knowing that??

I have a holiday spreadsheet.

I have even written a macro to make it easier to input and format data.

I am using it to plan the cost of our various activities and outings (daily changing because of the volatile exchange rates). I am sad enough to have made lunch reservations for the 30th July..., and have picked out a couple of other dining venues.

I haven't done a packing list yet, but it is only a click on 'sheet 2' to get it started!

this thread has been so amusing - and now I am totally panicked as off in 2 weeks and done NOTHING!!!!

Now, Scienceteacher, if you can explain to me what a macro is, then I will go to bed happy tonight.

I have always wondered and did not want to ask DH (not that he would know)

Words of one syllable please, and no geeky talk.

Now I know what a Camelbak is, MN has been value for money tonight.

Spreadsheets? For holidays? My god, I don't know anyone who does that.

I write a list if we are camping, sometimes, otherwise I usually remember that we need clothes, swimsuits, towels and toiletries.

camelbak is one of those rucksac things with a bag for water in and a tube attached so you can drink on the go!

LOL at 2plus2 having postcard labels on her list - but have to say what a great idea!

I make new lists every time we go away and have recently thought how daft it was and perhaps I should get it all on the 'puter but I thought that was far too anal so prompty pushed that thought to the back of my mind. After having read this thread though, I now have another job to add to my current "to do" list

A macro is a little program that automates tasks that you seem to do over and over again.

I have a little form that I can input data into for a given activity and the macro will place the data into the relevent column.

I see. Thanks.

I could do with a macro for the ironing.

MrsLindt

My DP's shirts are ironed by machine (at the cleaner's) - much more beautifully than the cleaner I used to do them!

I think walkie-talkie is going to be essential, also, no?

Wilfsell, have looked at your list (and I keep lists for packing), and it occurs to me that YOU WILL HAVE TO PUT ALL OF THAT STUFF AWAY WHEN YOU GET HOME!

Handy (sad) hint: I keep a plastic 'holiday' crate in the wardrobe, into which I put all the paraphernalia like toiletries, suncreams, razors, spongebags, mosquito creams, plug adapters etc., so that I don't have to trail through the house rounding everything up when I'm packing.

Makes unpacking easier as well, as you can just put it all straight back in the box.

OMG, laminated spreadsheets!

What a fab idea. I am going to do that. I do not have any holidays planned but I want to make a list now anyway.

hand written list of clothes and stuff (we don't take of course).

panic re shutting the cat in.

Having to go home after 20 mins driving to the airport to check that the cat is really out.

Ditto 10 mins later to check the iron is off. I have an ironing man who takes the stuff away so don't even use the iron, FGS.

Spreadsheets? Isn't that more to panic about???

Um, don't suppose anyone would be willing to email me a sample of their list? I can't do Excel but Word seems inadequate.

busy mamama @ gmail dot com just in case anyone feels like sharing

I'm not admitting to actually using this list or this site, you understand, just being helpful by posting it

lists for the borderline OCD

ooooh, Flummery.

ROFL @ wilfsell's list.
My 'kitchen' list says sharp knife, matches, tea towel, longlife milk and other boring, sensible, useful things.
Hers just lists the essentials - biscuits!

Havwent read the whole thread but yes, I have a holiday spreadsheet which details things to pack, and also things 'to do' before going away. I tailor it for each trip.

I also have a houswork spreadsheet too

Would just like to add: my 'big' list was one generated for me by a weblink someone posted earlier. I'm not so mad to think I can live on biscuits for 10 days.

Or am I?

Don't forget adapters for all the different electrical things you have!

One useful tip as well - you can buy a charger to use in the car. Plugs into the cigarette lighter and then you plug in your UK plug to charge anything you need to.

Useful to charge up iPods or DS thingies, which often run down their charge on a long car journey.

Right: I really hate packing and the emotional aftermath usually ruins my first day away

This is my daunting fool-proof (possibly) list for a 1-2 year old (girl, in this case), gets tailored for different lengths/types of trips. Obviously gets very much reduced for a weekend trip or somewhere more family-equipped.

My current winning no-washing bare-minimum clobber formula = a vest and top per day, usually come home with clean ones but you never know. Bottom halves or all-in-ones: need 3 minimum, but usually 2 less than number of days away for longer trips; same formula for socks. Two jumpers/cardis. Two sleepsuits.

THE SPRAT MASTER LIST
DD CLOTHES
Vests
T-shirts
Long-sleeve jerseys
Light floaty cover-up long-sleeve tops

Shoes - 1
Sandals 1
Cardis - 2
Sweaters - 1

Trousers/leggings
Shorts/skirt
Dresses - 1 or 2

Socks/Tights

Pyjamas - 2
Swimming costume - 1 or 2 if lots of swimming opps
Towelling Cover-up - 1
Sunhat
Bibs
Complete spare change of clothes for journey
Coat + warm hat

TOILETRIES
Nappies
Wipes
Sudocream
Nappy sacks
Body wash
Calpol sachets
Teetha
Swim nappies
Sun screen

EQUIPMENT
Tall plastic cup - for bathing and drink-warming
Beaker/s - 2
Bottle/s - 2
Bottle brush
Washing up liquid
Dish
Plate
Plastic spoon - 2
Plastic fork
Cool bag
Muslins - 2
Buggy and sunshade
Buggy Raincover
Grobag - 1
Blanket - 1
Placemat
Teatowel
Plastic containers - 2
Change bag/mat
Beach towel

HOUSE VS. HOTEL STUFF
Alarm
Travel cot
Travel booster chair and maybe splash-mat

ACTIVITIES
Bucket and spade
Bath toys double up as room toys
One soft toy
Ball
Books
Rattle-ring on velcro strap - or something distracting to attach to buggy/high-chair
Musical/light-noise thing

FOOD
Long-life emergency snacks e.g. crackers/raisins
Milk/Water for journey

I have adult-female and miscellaneous assorted holiday-crap list too. Much more used to winging it for me though.

I am also devotee of a holiday shoe-box where travel adaptors/insect cream etc live. There's some very strange never-used stuff in there , like Travel washing line (ahem)

I have a laminated holiday list (wipe off pens for ticking of course) with subheadings for each person and their needs for every possible eventuality. I update it yearly

i suspect i may have a slight problem

Post card address labels are essential epecially when travelling with my parents, every year my mum and dad have an arguement because my mum can't remember if she has sent Great Aunt Edith a card, now they know if it's already peeled off the sheet then it's on its way back to England. That's if they remember to pack them