When thinking about packing organization for a holiday getaway, do you get overwhelmed? Not sure what to and not to pack? There are many things to consider when planning for a getaway.
One thing is who all is going? Packing for a baby or child is much different than packing for a teen or adult. Another thing to consider is how many days/weeks are you traveling? While what you pack will be defined by who is going, how much you pack will partly be determined by how long you will be gone. But perhaps even more important is how will you be traveling? By car, plane, cruise? If traveling by car you can pack much more than if you are flying. Also if you are flying, you have to think about liquid limitations and any other that might have come up because of things happening in the world. A final thing to consider is where are you traveling? If you are going somewhere warm you will obviously pack differently than if you are going somewhere cool. As you can see, there is a bit of overlap between all of these questions, but considering each of these areas will help your packing organization better prepare you for your trip.
We find checklists are the most helpful when packing. If you start your checklist a few weeks in advance you have time to add things that you randomly think of. You might also make a master checklist with all items, but also mini checklists for each person going on the trip. Below are some checklists to help get you started:
Prior to trip checklist:
- Check the weather during that time period
- Pick up USPS hold mail card put in mail box day before leaving
- Let neighbors know you will be gone
- Don’t order anything to be delivered during time gone
- Check the expiration date of your passport. Need to renew at least 7 to 8 months ahead
- Consider purchasing packing cubes to organize suitcase $13 to $25 for set
Checklist for suitcase:
- Travel umbrella
- Use packing cubes to organize slacks, tops/shirts
- Use grocery store plastic bags or cloth shoe holders to store shoes
- Underwear/socks/camisoles/slips/hosiery
- Travel hair dryer (most Airbnb/hotels have) check ahead
- Toiletries (in plastic bag or totes for spillage) shampoo, toothbrush
- Toothpaste, hair spray, makeup, skin care, razor, shaving cream (non aerosol),
- Hair brush and comb, curling or flat iron, fragrance
- Small first aid kit (Tums, band aids, Neosporin, aspirin, anti-diarrhea med., sinus med. )
- Rainwear, sweater(s), coat/jacket, sports coat/tie
- Plastic bag for dirty laundry
- Travel clothesline, wooden clothes pins, laundry detergent (hand wash
Items for longer travel trips:
- Adaptors for out of the country voltage
Packing for backpack or carry-on:
- Wallet, money, driver’s license, credit cards, passport, house & car keys
- Cell phone & laptop & chargers, backup battery, earbuds
- Eyewear, sunglasses or contacts, travel size eye drops
- Fresh shirt, underwear, socks
- Antibacterial lotion, tissues
- Toothbrush and toothpaste (travel size)
- Jewelry, watch, valuables
- Prescription meds, vitamins
- Small notepad & pen
- Packing cubes keeps “like” items together
We hope you will print this document and keep it near your luggage to build future reminders on what to put on your travel checklist and how to help with packing organization. For help organizing your life, give us a call at 317-514-9793. We LOVE to help people organize their lives!