How To Pack for a Vacation

Tips on How to Pack a Suitcase

Do you love to travel but hate to pack? Are you one of those people that puts off packing until the very last minute often staying up past midnight the day before your journey just trying to 'get it all together" or even worse leave it up to the morning of your trip?

Well here are some tips on how you can reduce the stress of packing.

The first thing to do before you do anything is to make a list.

Start with an overall outline:

Carryon Bag
Health and Beauty
Accessories
Clothing

Expand Each Category

Carryon Bag:

If you are packing for an airline you may want to look up to see the allowed size and numbers of bags you are allowed to take. Most will let you take a purse and and larger carryon, or a purse and a laptop case, or even a laptop and a carryon. If you have a short weekend trip you may consider not checking your luggage at all.

• Passport, Birth Certificate, Driver's Licence, Name and Address of Destination
• Other Required Visas and Documentation
• Maps
• Credit and Bank Cards - (Bank Account info)
• Money for taxis and incidentals.
• Small Change in local currencies for carts and tipping.
• Laptop, Cell Phone, PDA, Portable DVD Player (DVD's), MP3 Player

Kenneth Cole Reaction "The Wheel Story" Double Gusset Wheeled Portfolio/Computer Case
For years Kenneth Cole has been a leader in fashion. The sleek, urban look of Reaction is distinctively Kenneth Cole. The collection includes multiple business and accessory bags that have as much function as they do style.

 

• Headphones
• Travel Pillow

Rick Steves Deluxe Neck Pillow
Rick Steves Deluxe Neck Pillow will provide maximum comfort on long train, plane, or bus rides. The soft, inflatable head-supporting collared pillow deflates.

• Address Book
• Long Distance Phone Card
• Journal

Lightweight yet sturdy, Lonely Planet's Travel Journal (colour cover) contains helpful travellers' tools such as a measurement chart, time zone map, world maps, charts and, of course, plenty of lined pages to fill. The journal features a special transparent plastic protective overlay with a full-colour cover.

 

 

• Magazines, Games (puzzle books or computer games) and Books
• Sunglasses
• Lipstick and Compact with Mirror
• Small tube of Moisturizer
• Lip Balm
• Small Hairbrush or Comb
• Gum
• Evian Mineral Water Spritzer - Travel Size

The exquisitely fine mist penetrates the top layers of the skin to rehydrate and deliver calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, and potassium minerals all skin types need. Use to freshen up, rehydrate, counteract travel fatigue or revive makeup.

 

• Contact Lens Case
• Eye Drops
• Headache, travel sickness and upset stomach relief.
• Kleenex
• Damp facecloth in a ziplock bag. Nice refresher and also can be handy for spills and mishaps.
• Bottled Water
• Jacket or Sweater

Health and Beauty:

First of all find or purchase a small travel compartment or bag to keep these things together. Preferably something you can access easily and that is water resistant in case of leakage. Cabin pressurization on airplanes makes tightly closed bottles with any kind of pop top to open! To avoid this, simply squeeze out some extra air before you close the bottle (leaving almost a dent in the side). To protect your stuff further you can package liquids such as Shampoos and Perfumes in separate zip lock bags. Be sure to check ahead with your accommodations. You may not require things like travel iron and blow dryers. Most people however prefer to use their own soaps and shampoos. Vacation time with lots of pictures is not the time for bad hair days!

 

Travelon TSA Approved 1-Quart Zip-Top Bag With Plastic Bottles

As TSA regulations change, so do your travel necessities. Comply with the new TSA 3-1-1liquid carry-on regulations with Travelon's 1-Quart Zip-Top Bag with Plastic Bottles. The TSA rule requires liquid carry-on items be in bottles no larger than three ounces and carried in a one-quart clear plastic bag.

• Shampoo & Conditioner
• Soap and Facial Cleansers
• Zit Cream
• Loufa
• Eye care if you wear contact lenses
• Mouthwash, Dental Floss, Toothbrush and Toothpaste
• Q-tips
• Hair Brush
• Nail Care - Clippers, Files, Polish and Removers

• Scissors
• Tweezers
• Small Sewing kit
  
• Shaving Equipment
• Blow Dryer, Curling Iron, Curlers (If you are traveling with a friend there is no need to double up on these)
• Travel Iron

• Body Scents and Talcs
• Make-up
• Moisturizers
• Lip Balm
• Suntan lotions
• Medications including fixes for Headaches, Stomach Upset, Constipation, Sore Throat, Sleep Problems, Allergies, Cuts and Scrapes
• Small Mirror
• Deodorant
• Sore muscle lotion, great for the feet after a long day of site seeing.

 

Hint: If you are a frequent traveler there is no need to unpack this compartment every time. Simply keep this together for future trips replenishing what you need. This way you will be sure to have everything you need.

Hint 2: Print your list out and put it in your travel compartment. If there is anything you forgot add it to your list immediately so you will not forget it on subsequent trips. Leave the list with your compartment when you unpack.

Accessories:

Except of the shoes and electronic equipment. I generally keep my accessories in the mesh lining compartment in the lid of my suitcase for easy access.

• Belts
• Ties
• Scarves
• Jewelry/Watches
• Hats
• Hair ties
• Deck of Cards
• Cameras, Voice Recorders, Video Equipment (don't forget your power supplies)
• Flashlight
• Postcard and Souvenir List
• Tote bags and purses
• Footwear: Walking, fitness, flip flops, dressy, casual, slippers
• Beach Towels
• Binoculars
• Power converters

Clothing:

I prefer to roll my clothes rather than lay them folded and flat. This seems to use space more effectively and also seems to help with wrinkling. After I am done I place my footwear in the holes along the edges. Footwear is generally more sturdy and can take the rough treatment luggage can get. Jackets I do not fold but rather lay on top of everything after I fasten the straps around the rest of my clothing. Even more preferable is packing suits, dresses, and jackets in a wardrobe suitcase. This way they are ready to move straight from suitcase to closet hanger and all when you arrive. I left space in between each item in case you want to print out this list, you will then have room to write in specific items.

• Underwear Socks and Bras

 

• Jacket and/or Sweater

 

• Tops: Long and short sleeve T-shirts, Long and short sleeve Blouses, Tank tops. Preferably ones that don't need ironing.

 

• Bottoms: Shorts, sweats, khakis, pants, skirts. Again no iron is best.

 

• Dresses and or Suits: Depending on the type of trip

 

• Swimsuits and Coverups

 

• Workout Clothes

 

• Pajamas

 

Hint: Try to imagine your trip schedule in your head. Think of clothing or outfits you can put together for each day. Try to avoid over packing with different clothing combinations of what you have, sticking to one or two color schemes. Layering often works well if you are unsure of the climate fluctuations.

Hint 2: Keep in mind you most likely will be purchasing items while you are away. Account for this space in your suitcase. If purchasing larger items you may want to consider having items shipped home rather than carrying them with you.

Other Items:

Depending on your destination you may require items such as these:

• Linens
• Towels
• Sleeping bags
• Air mattress
• Pillows
• Sports Equipment and accessories
• Alarm clock
• Gifts
• Voltage Converter
• Photo Albums of Family and Friends

Hint: If you are visiting someone who has moved to another country consider bringing a few items that are unavailable to them that they might appreciate. Example Canadians living in the U.S. might like these item unavailable in the U.S.: Ketchup Chips, Dill Pickle Chips, Bits and Bites, Tim Hortens or Second Cup Coffee, Popcorn Flavoring, Pure Maple Syrup, Coffee Crisp, and Smarties.

Now that you have your outline expanded. You can get more specific especially in the clothing department. If you can't decide simply list everything you can think of and then use the delineation process. Cross out everything you won't need. When you have it all narrowed down. Go through each category and lay out everything on a clear space on the living room floor or on your bed. Check off everything on your list as you put it into your suitcases and travel bags. Remember suitcases with a good sturdy wheels are the easiest to maneuver. Avoid cheap luggage. I had a friend who skimped in this area and found a wheel crushed at the baggage claim. The rest of the trip she built up some muscles.

Don't throw out your lists. They will be ready and waiting for your next journey. When you get home you may want to take note of things that you forgot or things that you did not really need. The more you travel the easier it is to work out your own personal unique packing system.

Final Hint: If you must simply pack everything consider using vacuum storage bags for your bulkier clothing such as sweaters and socks. Be sure you find the bags that you roll out the air rather than the ones that need an outside mechanism to get the air out.

 

Travel Trendy! 

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Mooooove in quirky style with International Traveller's Moo Shiny Cow Print collection. Shiny ABS Polycarbonate is lightweight and durable, while the unique black and white graphic cow print truly stands out. Packing features include a divider and pockets in the fully lined interior.

 

 

 

Last minute check.

• Do you have all your travel documents and tickets in order?
• Is the name and address of your hotel or accommodations handy?
• Is there someone to collect mail and newspapers?
• Are the pets accounted for?
• Are your plants going to be watered? Fish fed?
• Have you set up an autoresponder on your e-mail?
• Are your bill payments up to date?
• Have you given emergency contact information to anyone?
• Have you arranged for transportation to and from the airport?

Bon Voyage!