Minimalist Packing Tips
Summer is here and things are opening up! I hope you have some great trips planned this Summer.
Today I want to share with you 4 packing tips!
1. Use Packing Lists:
Use a list on your phone to add things weeks ahead. (I use the Reminders app for this and have a list called “packing.”)
Keep a detailed list for different kinds of trip in Notes or Evernote.
Husband - this list is something I send him before any trip because it has the things on it that we have forgotten most often. Cuff links, collar stays, handkerchiefs, etc.
Water fun - if we plan to go somewhere that we will swim I have a list for that. It includes sun screen, googles, etc. It used to include swim diapers and swim vest when we were in the season where we needed those.
Amusement park - passes/tickets/coupons, reusable cups, sunscreen, extra shoes
Cruise - We went on one family cruised and loved it! Unfortunately, 2020 cancelled another cruise for us. If you find a great deal, it can be one of the most fun and least expensive vacations you will take. However, if you forget certain things, you will pay a premium price for them out in the middle of the ocean. On the way home from our first family cruise I created this list so I don’t forget some of the things I was glad I had and some things I wished I had brought.
Flying list - things for flying. This was especially important when my kids were really small.
Roadtrip list - things I think of that we might need for a road trip.
Generic Packing lists: I like to create a packing list for each person in the family. My son is old enough to pack himself. However, just to keep from buying yet another belt from the store while we are out of town, I like to pop in his room and go over his list with him.
My daughter is only 5, but she can help me pack some of her things. While I am gathering her outfits I will ask her to grab a few things such as “Elsie, bring me 5 pairs of underwear.” or “Please bring me 3 pj sets.” This makes it easy for me and is teaching her to pack.
2. Pack Light:
Pack as light as possible. We try to only use carry on bags. I do have a slightly larger suitcase that I will sometimes share with my daughter if we are going somewhere for a longer stay. But for the majority of trips, we try to limit it to carry on size bags, even if we are driving. One suitcase per person and one backpack per person. This makes it easier to keep up with things and to not have the car overflowing.
Here are a few tips for packing light:
Use the capsule wardrobe concept. Choose clothing pieces that can mix and match together. Wear one pair of shoes and bring one more, but be sure you pack things that coordinate with those rather than having multiple shoes. This saves a ton of space.
Think of toiletries you can share. I carry travel sizes of face wash, shampoo, conditioner, and hair spray. This means that no one else in my family needs to pack these items.
Pack items that can layer so you can wear them during the warm part of the day and the cool evenings.
Toss a few laundry pods in your toiletry bag for an emergency load of laundry. I have yet to stay in a hotel that couldn’t provide some sort of laundry service. This keeps me from having to overpack for “just in case.” Especially with kids. Sometimes young children can go through 3 or 4 outfits in one day. If I know I can do a load of laundry, I don’t have to worry if we pack just enough clothing.
3. Keep a stocked toiletry bag:
Make a list of all the toiletries you use on a regular basis and either buy those in travel sizes or purchase some refillable containers and fill them with your favorite products.
Refresh your toiletry bag after a trip so it’s ready for the next time you leave.
Make a list of the things you will need to add each time. I always bring my hairbrush and my toothbrush. So I have added this to my master packing list so I don’t forget to put it in my toiletry bag.
Don’t forget items like safety pins, a small sewing kit, bandaids, and first aid cream. I keep these in my travel bag just in case we need them in the hotel room.
This takes the guess work out of packing and ensures you don’t have to buy anything that you left at home while on your vacation.
4. Stay organized:
Packing cubes - THESE are the ones I own. This helps to keep your suitcase neat and you can fit some much more by using packing cubes.
Bag for the car - My kids’ each have a backpack and I have them keep up with their own things by containing everything in their backpack. We also use one extra bag for road trips. This bag holds all the odds and ends items that end up in the car.
Last Summer I did a blog post on traveling tips and you can find that HERE. And just in case you missed it, we talked about how to prep your home for vacation, earlier this month, HERE.
I hope your Summer is full of fun trip and margin for the good things!