The sun has finally appeared and the days are getting longer and lighter. Before we know it, the summer holidays will be here and many of us will be looking forward to taking a well-earned break. Whether you’re counting down the days to a beach holiday, or you’re planning a staycation, packing for the whole family can be stressful. In this handy guide, we’ll share some top packing hacks to make vacations a breeze.
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Packing Hacks
“This post is a partnered post and may contain affiliate links. These thoughts and opinions are in line with my own personal beliefs.”“This post is a partnered post and may contain affiliate links. These thoughts and opinions are in line with my own personal beliefs.”
Outfit Planning
The best way to pack light and get organised is to plan outfits in advance. Check the weather forecast and consider what you’re going to be doing during your break. Are you going camping? Are you hoping to spend a lot of time in the great outdoors? Are you visiting a city and looking forward to sightseeing? Have you booked a beach holiday? Tailor your wardrobe to suit the conditions and your itinerary. If you’re planning to walk a lot and check out museums, galleries, and castles, or you’re going to enjoy the thrills and spills of theme parks, make sure everyone has comfy shoes.
You can combine style with comfort with cool trainers from websites like THE ICONIC and pack sliders or flip-flops to change into if you’re hoping to hit the beach after you’ve finished your tour of the attractions. For camping trips, make sure you’ve got plenty of layers, including waterproofs and sturdy, well-fitted shoes. For a beach resort, all you’ll need is flip-flops, sandals, and a pair of smarter shoes for the evening
Packing lists
Some people swear by lists while others dread the idea of making lists and spreadsheets. If you have kids, it’s great to have some handy packing hacks such as creating a packing list, which will help to ensure that you have everything you need and prevent a last-minute panic. Write a list for each member of the family and draw up a separate list of things you need to buy before you go away. Get your cases down early and start packing items you won’t need before your holiday with a couple of weeks to go. Work your way through your list until you’ve crossed every item off.
Essentials
Many of us get stressed about packing because we worry about forgetting essentials and finding ourselves in a foreign country with no means to buy what we need. If this scenario sounds familiar, jot down a list of essentials and make sure you double-check that you have each product before you close your case. It’s a good idea to keep things you’ll need as soon as you land in your hand luggage. Examples of basics you won’t want to forget to include passports and documents, wallets and phones, plugs and adapters, baby and toddler essentials, medicines, a first aid kit, and devices you want to use to while away the hours on the plane or in the car. It is worth remembering that there are often shops at airports, motorway services, and ferry terminals and many family-friendly resorts are well-equipped. Research before you go to see what kinds of amenities you’ll have access to during your trip.
Scheduling
Nobody wants to be up until the early hours rushing around trying to track lost items down and desperately trying to remember where the passports are. Set yourself a packing schedule and give yourself as much time as possible to get sorted. Organise each person’s clothes and check if anything needs washing. Create tidy piles of items to pack and roll clothing that doesn’t need to be pristine, such as pants and socks, to save space. Set aside toiletries for your main case and smaller items for your cabin bags, stock up on snacks in the days before you travel, and go shopping for anything you don’t have with a few days to spare. If you’ve got everything you need and you’re organised, putting your clothes, shoes, and toiletries into the bag should take a matter of minutes. It’s a good idea to keep passports and any other travel documents you need in a safe, accessible place. Carry them with you in a handbag or a rucksack, as you’ll need them to check in, get through security, and shop at the airport.
Image from Pexels
Most of us look forward to holidays, but the build-up can be stressful. It’s understandable to feel like you’ve got an endless to-do list if you’re trying to get yourself and your kids sorted ready to jet off, embark upon a road trip or board a ferry. Packing can be stressful, but if you use these hacks, it should be a breeze. Check the weather forecast and think about your itinerary to plan outfits in advance, give yourself plenty of time to pack and shop for items you need for your trip and use lists to make sure you don’t forget anything.
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