Help! I need advice re packing for an 8 day trip...

Do you have an idea of the expected weather?

There are myriad videos on YouTube with advice about this.

Basically the advice they give is:- after you've checked the weather as recommended above, you lay out everything on the bed, sort it into things that match and work out enough outfits for the days you are there. For up to a week. I would take clean socks, tights, knickers etc for each day as these don't take up much room and you won't need to wash anything in that time. Very few trousers and skirts in neutral colours - perhaps as few as one of each..

A variety of tops, long- and short-sleeved for inside and outside, to be worn in layers. You don't need to wear different things each day. Don't make them all your best clothes as you will hopefully be given a chance to burp the baby and will be helping in the house.

Don't be surprised if the dress code isn't terribly formal for the ceremony - continentals don't dress up quite so much in my experience. If possible, ask your daughter/daughter-in-law what is expected.

Wear one pair of shoes for the journey - the most bulky ones, sturdy enough for walks with the pram. Finnish parents like their babies to spend a lot of time outdoors. Into your case go just one other pair of shoes (to go with your outfit) and some slippers.

Go back and check on what you have laid out and reduce the amount. Don't forget to put the clothes you are travelling in on one side.

And don't forget nightwear (this has happened to me before - concentrating so much on selection of daywear, I completely forgot about a nightie!)

Don't pack a sponge bag. At least, not a full one.Small bottles and pots of your toiletries and creams, well wrapped in small plastic bags to prevent leakage, will fit in the corners and gaps in your case. If you like, pack a sponge bag flat on top when you have finished, to carry your stuff to and from the bathroom. This, of course, only if you are checking your case in. Otherwise they go in your liquids bag.

There's no need to lumber yourself with a huge heavy case. Whittle it down.

Many of the YouTube videos show you the optimum way to fold or roll the clothes - there are endless differing opinions. The relentless debate about packing cubes - yay or nay - the different ways to "organise" things. It's all a bit over the top really.

Don't weigh yourself down with unnecessary stuff.

Have a lovely time, and come back and tell us about it afterwards. The idea of a secular "naming ceremony" sounds intriguing.

Just bumping this up as I find advice on packing interesting. I enjoyed your post JackyB.

For a week we would usually just take a carry on. You have use of a Washing machine so a large case would be more than enough. We recently flew to Europe for 8 days ( no washing facilities) with 2 large full cases , which still only weighed 13 and 10 kilos respectively.we didn’t need a carry on. We always tend to overpack and we came back with a lot of unworn clothes.
Just make sure to wear your heavier clothes/shoes on the journey.
Congratulations on your new grandchild and have a lovely time in Finland.

I decide what to take and then halve it if I can!

When I get there (wherever that is) I never want to keep having different outfits- I always want to keep wearing the most comfy one!

Good advice from JackyB we always use the same middle size cases, as long we have access to a washing machine, we can last for 3 weeks, with one each and our iPads and phones, crossword puzzle books ( handy for any down time) plus MrOops vast bag of medication in our carry on bags.

We’ve noticed that even if our cases are rammed (as long as they aren’t full of books or bricks) they always weigh about 15 kilos, we have a case weighing scale that you hang the case on.

Wear heavy clothes and shoes carry a weighty jacket if it’s cold where you are going.

We usually end up wearing our usual comfy clothes during the day and take 3 of everything else and wear them on alternate days, undies and sox clean each day though.
Travel size lotions and potions are easily available, I save the small pots from Hotel trips and use those if we are only going away for a short time and always stuff your sox and undies in the shoes.
But lightweight and flat presents can go into carry ones too.

Leave enough room to bring back gifts! These days I always pack a change of clothes in my carry on baggage as well as all medications required because they lose your cases with alarming regularity! Wear heavy coats if you need them and wear your heaviest shoes to avoid packing them.

Don’t forget that you are only going to Finland, so plenty of shops to buy anything you forgot or can’t take with you.

You have a washing machine. Try the old- one in the wash, one clean, one on. So you need three reasonable outfits and maybe something smarter for the ceremony. I always go for trousers, top and overshirt for everyday. Add a couple of cardigans or fleeces for if it's cold. Comfortable shoes/trainers for travelling/everyday, smart for the ceremony, sandals if you wear them.
I did meet someone who put everything into those storage bags and sucked all the air out, so they took up less space. I did wonder how she managed on the return journey! But if you are taking presents it might give you more space. I haven't tried it.
Another friend goes minimal she says it doesn't matter what you wear, no one notices you anyway!

Thanks for the compliments on my post above. All that YouTube watching has finally paid off! If you start looking at videos with packing tips, you get recommended more and more of them, and even though I hardly travel these days. I still watch them!

Compression packing cubes don't all work with the vacuum cleaner method. Usually they have a second zip which you can zip up all round once you have packed the cube. This reduces the volume considerably. If you really want to get these, it is worth getting good quality because that second zip is under quite a bit of strain.

As Nanna8 says, always pack your hand luggage as though it's all you're taking, i.e. pack overnight requirements and a change of underwear. There is no guarantee your checked-in case will arrive with you.

ClareAB, really? Anyone who needs 'advice' packing for a short trip - maybe shouldn't be going? I travel with just hand luggage (can't wait around for suitcases) and manage just fine - including formal wear. Try it sometime!

One of our cases was lost on our trip a couple of weeks ago,will always separate clothes and meds in future, it really spoiled my first few days away.
Lesson learned.

Claire AB - how exciting! It sounds a wonderful trip!

For any trip the planning of what to wear is part of the excitement for me, so I draw myself a Table and then plan how many outfits I can get out of the minimum number of pieces. Having access to a washing machine will be a big help.

I would normally aim to try and get everything into hand luggage but I appreciate 8kg isn't much when you're wanting to take presents too.

As others have said, there are lots of capsule wardrobe suggestions online, which are fun to look at, and Marie Kondo has some good packing suggestions too. 🌸

On the return, I make a note of what I did wear leave in case for next trip, so I don't over pack.
Also what you wear travelling in, you can wash ASAP so you can wear out as an additional outfit.
Have a fabulous time

I recently went on an island hopping holiday to Greece - 14 days of moving around so we kept our suitcases to about 18kg. I always pack quite a lot of stuff for a normal hol so I panicked it bit! But it worked well. I bought packing cubes (cheaply) off Amazon and had one for underwear, one for tops etc. I took only two pairs of shorts (trousers in Finland I imagine!) one a week. And enough t shifts for about ten days (we did washes by hand) 2 dresses for evening and a pair of nice trousers. With a washing machine you should be fine. I then bought some cheap clear toiletry bags from Amazon and used them to organise make up, medicines, hair stuff. Having very little ‘loose’ in the case seemed to make more room. As mentioned, pare down all toiletries to the smallest possible or decant. Don’t overdo shoes. Just one day pair and a nice pair for the event. Then relax and have a wonderful time.

Sounds a lovely and different trip. I always travel in a trench coat, layered underneath and travel back in exactly the same outfit. I never bother washing anything when I’m away, particularly for a week.
Jane MacDonald advises a black and white wardrobe or brown and cream, everything matches. A little black dress is a good idea.
JackyB why would you take your slippers? A pair of socks will do.

Just don’t forget to pack any knickers - as I once did when visiting the Czech Rep. for an extended family wedding. I’ve never been so pleased in my life to see an M&S, as I did the morning after we arrived, in Prague’s Wenceslas Square.

Other than that, I’d say tops and bottoms that mostly go with each other, inc. some that can be ‘dressed up’. And always, always, for northern climes, a good, warm, coat and jumper/cardigan.

Pinterest is your friend.

Witzend

Just don’t forget to pack any knickers - as I once did when visiting the Czech Rep. for an extended family wedding. I’ve never been so pleased in my life to see an M&S, as I did the morning after we arrived, in Prague’s Wenceslas Square.

Other than that, I’d say tops and bottoms that mostly go with each other, inc. some that can be ‘dressed up’. And always, always, for northern climes, a good, warm, coat and jumper/cardigan.

I knew my mum was starting to forget things but only realised how bad it was when we went on holiday and she didn't pack any pyjamas! I lent her a t-shirt and shorts for one night and we ordered new ones for her on-line as we were in the UK. I was so grateful for Amazon! After that I always checked her packing!

And always, always, for northern climes, a good, warm, coat and jumper/cardigan

We packed warm clothes and macs for Finland and it was hot in July. 85⁰F! However, I think the forecast is for rain next week.

The 'layered look' is best, catering for all eventualities, with a sweater/cardigan and plight mac.

Don't forget the insect repellent.

and it was hot in July
Not July this year, this was years ago but Finland can experience hot spells in summer.

I had a similar experience in Scotland earlier this year. I had to take off my waterproof coat and pack it away in my rucksack when walking along the front in Oban it was so warm- and it didn't rain. Only a few days but I think that was the summer!

I like notspaghetti’s advice. Take half of what you think you’ll need, but ensure what you do take is mix and match.

'Just don't forget to pack any knickers'

I always make a list when we are going away. This doesn't always include specific items but more like 'tops x 5'.

I also make a list of all the paperwork I will need - if we are going abroad - and toiletries etc.

I cross them off as I am packing and rarely forget anything these days.

If I have a 20kg allowance, I always pack up to about 18kg. I figure that I have that weight allowance, I might as well use it. I always leave a couple of kilos spare in case I buy something whilst I am away.