Here’s my free guide to making your holiday packing stress-free! Pack less, wear more and take only what you need with this guide and my checklists. (And there’s a printable version at the bottom in case it’s useful!)
If you find packing difficult or want to reduce the amount of luggage you take with you, you’ve found the right guide!
Travelling can be stressful. There’s so much to remember to do and take, and it’s an important time – you’ve looked forward to it for a while – because you need a break. Also, it’s an expensive purchase, so a lot’s riding on it.
This Guide has been written to help you have less stress both before and during your holiday.
Pack less but wear more
The secret to packing less, yet having more to wear, is to PLAN what to pack, and think of each item on its own and with all the other items you want to take.
It’s not about creating whole outfits of certain colour schemes with colour-matched accessories.
Separates are more flexible, and you may need to think about laundering, depending on your luggage space, weight limits and time away.
What to plan for
Check the predicted weather, temperature, and think about what activities you will be intending to do.
Look at your wardrobe. Take the items out that you would like to take with you and feel their weight. Think how they will travel: creasing, and whether they need specialist cleaning.
Now, do you have “neutral” * accessories that would work with all those clothes? (The less shoes and/or handbags you take will lighten the case and give more room.) Also, remember, you take a risk of losing or leaving behind anything you take, so taking less is also less risky!
Now, look at all the items and see if they would work TOGETHER – INTERCHANGEABLY. See how many outfits you can create from just a few items.
Sort what you need
Now, could you reduce what you want to take? Would it matter if you wore things more than once, with or without laundering?
Can you see how things might work more together – perhaps you haven’t ever considered these as co-ordinates before. Try putting each thing together systematically, and see what results. You may find some new outfits! Look at the colours, patterns and materials. Do they work together? Take the things you can get the most wear from.
My packing tips
i) Use socks and small squashy items to pack into your shoes and bags, to keep their shape (not liquids!).
ii) Take a versatile scarf that could be used as a blanket, shawl, bathing cover-up, or anything else!
iii) Split your packing between 2 cases if possible, so that if one goes missing you may still have some essentials.
iv) Roll your clothes in bundles: tops together and bottoms together.
v) Check the electrical socket situation and take your adapters and an extension lead.
The checklists
First, some pre-holiday jobs: I’ve left space at the bottom for you to add anything else you think of, too.
| Pre-holiday activities | |||||
| Book travel insurance | Buy batteries | ||||
| Check/photocopy passport(s) | Order currency | ||||
| Book and have any vaccinations | Arrange timers for lights | ||||
| Book cattery/kennels | Cancel deliveries (papers, milk) | ||||
| Inform neighbours | Book food delivery for your return | ||||
What to pack
| Essentials | Clothing | Accessories | ||||||
| Passport | Underwear | Scarf | ||||||
| Driving licence | Footwear | Belts/ties | ||||||
| Map/Guide book(s) | Trousers/shorts | Towels | ||||||
| Money | Skirts | Umbrella | ||||||
| Tickets | Tops/Shirts/Vests | Wellies | ||||||
| Keys | Jumpers/Coats | Hat/sunhat | ||||||
| Electronic devices | Dresses/Jackets | Ear muffs/Gloves | ||||||
| Prescription med’s | Nightwear | Neck support | ||||||
| Glasses/sunglasses | Ear plugs | |||||||
| Lenses/solutions | Reusable bags | |||||||
| Jewellery/watches | ||||||||
| Plugs/adaptors | ||||||||
| Toiletries | Self-catering items | Hobbies | ||||||
| Soap | Towels/tea-towels | Reading materials | ||||||
| Shampoo/Conditioner | Tea/Coffee/Food | Knitting/crochet | ||||||
| Toothbrush & paste | Cleaning things | Puzzles/games | ||||||
| Floss | Cutlery/crockery | Playing cards | ||||||
| Make-up & remover | Washing line/pegs | Pens/paper | ||||||
| Combs/brushes | Kitchen roll | Swimwear | ||||||
| First Aid Kit | Toilet roll | Sports items | ||||||
| Sun screen/after sun | Torch | Address labels | ||||||
| Insect repellent/bite | Clothes hangers | Cycle repair kit | ||||||
| Mirror | Iron & board | Cycle lock, pump | ||||||
| Perfume/toiletries | Corkscrew | Map | ||||||
| Shaver | Tin opener | |||||||
| Tweezers/scissors | ||||||||
| Wet wipes/tissues | ||||||||
Wishing you a wonderful holiday!
Download the printable guide here
Remember, if you want more help, call me! I specialise in reducing stress about looking fabulous, and packing for a happy holiday is one element of my skills.
Call or email me, Fiona Mobbs, Your Colour & Style Consultant, to find out how else I can help you dress for success.
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