Even if you are not a frequent traveler you can follow some tried and true tips from frequent road warriors that will make your packing time shorter and less stressful.
Make an itinerary of your trip. It doesn’t have to be exact, but have something that shows you what the general plan is each day. Then, you can mark what clothing is required off to the side which will help you in your packing. Are you swimming? Hiking? going to the theater or a fancy dinner out? Is a jacket required?
Create a master pack list for your family. Your family has unique needs that probably repeat themselves. So instead of trying to remember everything each family member needs on a trip, each time you are getting ready to pack, sit down and make a master pack list now. This can be as simple as writing the family member’s name at the top of a page and then under it listing everything they need (contact lense solution, eye glasses, pull-ups, bottles, pacifier, baby monitor, favorite blanket, etc.) After you’ve listed everything they need you can create a formal typed list or photocopy your neatly printed list.
When you are ready to go on a trip write in the quantity of each listed item that you will need before you begin packing.
Once that is done you can begin packing and checking off your list!
The list is also helpful for making sure you come back home with everything you left with.
One other quick tip is to unpack everything from your suitcase when you get to your destination. Then, as your clothes become dirty, just throw them into the suitcase like a hamper. If you have any clean clothing remaining you can put them in a plastic bag and place on the top of your suitcase.
Happy traveling!
