Packing for holidays

Galen, what's a waterproof cardigan?!

Having got fed up with trying to find pairs of earrings which match among my jumble of jewellery, I've bought a dossete box to put them in!
whitewave I missed a comma waterproof, cardigans!

Also, snowshoes, dried pemmican and union flag!

About a week before we go away, preferably when DH is out of the house, I have a mad few hours deciding what to pack. All the 'holiday clothes' including the sleeveless tops that I wouldn't wear in this country, get dragged out from storage. I usually have as staples: taupe, white, navy and black cotton/linen crops/trousers. These are laid out on the bed and then I try on all tops with each colour. The theory is that I will only take tops that will go with more than one pair of crops. The reality is that I end up with a totally trashed bedroom, and am bemoaning the fact that "I have nothing to wear!" Eventually I work out what to take but funny thing is that all the stuff I shove back under the bed is the same as the stuff I shoved back last year and the year before.....
When DH and I repack to come home, we pack one case with washing and the other case with clothes we have not worn, I'm sure there's a lesson there somewhere.
We're off on our jollies in two weeks time and I know this pantomime will be carried out again, plus of course the last minute dash around the sales to pick up bargains. Guess which suitcase they'll probably end up in, on the journey home.

I have just read vegasmags's excellent tip about putting undies, etc, into drawstring bags - if you can't/don't sew then those small washing bags, either drawstring or with a zip, are excellent for keeping undies, nightwear, socks, t-shirts etc in order.

Just got out my new holiday handbag and packed the passports

When we had a touring caravan clothes went straight into the drawers and wardrobe in the van, along with bulky items, including a small tent, placed securely on the floor. There was room as well for the crate or two odd bottle or two of wine which we brought home if we went to France. Storage never seemed to be a problem even with five of us.
When we go to stay with DD we leave some clothes there - however last time some didn't fit as I'd lost weight!

Just returned from a week touring the West Country and the boot was crammed full of 'stuff' needed (or not) for just two of us.
I wish I'd taken my wellies though

Made a short trip to N spain by plane + could only take hand luggage, I bought all my toiletries after going through to departures in Boots. I was able to use my points saved on my advantage card for some of it. So was able to 'By pass' the liquid + weight allowance. It was also cheaper to buy lunch deal than pre pay for the 'yummy' plane food.

I have over the years of extended travel around the world tried all of the above tips. Now I live in France so there is a big bag of stuff with my kids, I take hand baggage only which is always full to the absolute limit allowed.

My tip? My watchword is 'I never travel light'. So much more relaxing and stress free.

Always pack too much for package holiday but have managed to motorbike around northern spain + Isle of Man with luggage in back pack + in panniers.

Having just googleated the long term weather for the Lake District, sun cream is one thing I definitely won't be taking. Hardly surprising as the weather is always awful there. Wellies, raincoats, brollies, jumpers and plenty of them, seem to be in order. Not much fun at all with three little ones in tow but hey that's what I signed up for.

Oh how I wish we were going somewhere warm where the children could play on a sunny beach and swim in the sea and grandma could sip Sangria

In the next life maybe.

Like galen I am packing for cruise next week. Waterproof cardigans??? Hadn't thought of those!

If going somewhere hot I have to take loads of sun tan cream (very fair skin). It seems to weigh quite a bit. But is too expensive to buy on hols. I also end up bring the wee bottles of shampoo etc home , only to wonder why when get home

Samples and travel sizes toiletries.
Clothes are black, navy, taupe, white. All go together to mix and match. Only take trousers.....ankle grazers, linens and pallazo pants.. walking footwear is (ancient) velcro strapped Clarks sandals, plus pewter coloured flit-flops which are super comfy but also dress up. A few sheer scarves/wraps. Travel wearing the bulkiest of anything including a pashmina. Important::::: two separated lots of medication one on person, and one in luggage, in case anything gets lost/delayed.

I collect free samples of toiletries throughout the year and take these as they are usually small does away with the need for lots of bottles etc

It's not the clothes so much as all the polyfiller (make up and creams!).
Everything comes in heavy containers. Anyone got ideas how to decant the stuff and make it lighter.

Another way to learn to cut down is to travel by train, which means that if you can't carry it, you can't take it. It's quite amazing how much rubbish stuff you don't need

Glad to see that your trademark pearls are high on your list galen

I've got to pack for a 16 day cruise next week. Need 4 formal evening dresses for a start! Then chargers for kindle, iPad, iPhone, spare battery and charger for mobility scooter. Oh and camera charger. Extension bar to plug everything into. Helping hand.
Sort out which pearls etc to take and all that's before thinking about underwear,shoes, dresses, skirts, tops, shorts, nightdresses, first aid kit, waterproof cardigans----
Help! I only own 4 suitcases!

5timesnannie, I took far too much to Florida. Just take comfy stuff as it's toooo warm! And no-one really dresses up at night. Make sure you've a light waterproof jacket tho! We love it! Have a great time.

We've just arrived home today from Florida. We took two large cases and definitely could've just taken one. No fancy dresses or trousers were worn because it was too hot. Plus we have a washer and dryer in the villa. Sore arms from lugging those bags through the airport. Next time, I'll be more discerning......

I'm packing now and I know I'm taking too much...

I agree toiletries are the bugbear of hand luggage. We frequently go to Spain with just hand luggage. Last time I found a range of inexpensive copy perfume. Smells approximately like the real thing. So I leave perfume at home and spend a couple of Euros on the copies, to use there.

x

Hi Noni, like you, I only carry hand luggage now, ever since I went to India on my own and got mobbed by porters trying to snatch my luggage off me. I make a rule not to take anything that I couldn't carry myself for at least a mile. No, I know that this doesn't make sense, but it works. So for a week, one pair comfy/walking shoes (to wear for travel) one pair of pretty sandals, one pair of flipflops to double as slippers. trousers (to wear for journey), one pair shorts and one pair shorts with zip on/zip off trouser legs. two dresses, 7 teeshirts, 7 changes of underwear and a pashmina to cover up. Two swimsuits. I take old knickers that I can throw away when I take them off. Likewise teeshirts - I don't take new ones, only oldish M and S basic ones, and discard them as I go along. That way I can make room in the bag for little bits and pieces I buy during the week. If it's a fortnight, I take enough for a week and wear it again! This doesn't really sound like fashion fun, and it isn't, but I like to relax on holiday and not be bothering about clothes. I roll everything up rather than folding. If you roll really tight things don't crease up. And I usually buy something mad in a market, like a 10euro sundress, that I would never buy at home.

The trouble with only taking hand luggage is that I find it impossible to limit all creams and liquids to one plastic bag for security. Sometimes they overlook 2 or 3 plastic bags - sometimes not. Last time I did it I had to ditch loads of stuff at security and then replace it all in Boots - I am sure they are in cahoots!

Am very good at travelling light. It makes life so much easier. Our daughter has inherited this. She has just left to travel S. E. Asia for 8 months with a rucksack weighing only 9 kilo.