After the where, families face the next dilemma: packing. Here are some tips on getting organized and packing efficiently for your entire family:Keep Things Light!
GENERAL
- - - Remove the unnecessary. Many of the toiletries we use are enshrined in layer after layer of cosmetic boxing. Take band-aids, for example. If you need an entire box of band-aids on your trip, you probably should be looking for an emergency room as opposed to a box in your suitcase. Most of us generally do a toiletries run just before we go away. Go the extra step and remove the packaging.
- - - Coordinate it, then bag it. Using the band-aid example again, put things together with like-type items into a zipper-locked bag. There are sandwich, quart and gallon-sized bags, so that should fit many categories. When coordinating, think how you use the items normally at home. If you group like-type items into one bag or container, you can pick up that one bag and go without having to unpack all contents of the suitcases. Use this trick for make up, toiletries, health care items (regular maintenance items, such as prescriptions)
- - - Bags, Bags, and more Bags. Besides organizing those tiny-but-necessary items, take along larger plastic bags to store soiled clothing. We rarely use everything we pack, so it makes sense to keep them items separate to make your job easier when you get home.
- - - Avoid leaking bottles. For the short holiday, it doesn't make sense to pack the family-sized shampoo, so you will probably be transferring it to the smaller, leak-proof, travel bottles. If you do this, or buy those smaller, travel-sized shampoo and moisturizer,Wholesale Earring, take the extra step to secure it. A strip of packing tape across the top will keep the item shut during travel. Those few extra seconds doing can save your clothes from being covered in a leaking toiletry product.
- - - Make it easy on the kids. If you are traveling with younger children who are capable of dressing themselves, but who have questionable taste, organize outfits individually into plastic bags so all the child has to do is open the bag and get ready. When a family is sharing small quarters while on holiday, any space-saving feature has to be considered.
- - - Analyze your clothing. Think about how the outfit will travel. Some outfits are stunning, but wrinkle and need lots of TLC by the time they get out of a suitcase and back onto the human.
- - - Keep it neat. In addition to ruling out clothing that draws wrinkles, take measures to ensure that the rest of the clothing arrives in the best shape possible. Instead of folding that odd shaped item (dress, shirts), consider rolling. This is a tip hard-core travelers swear by.
- - - -Think double duty. A pair of shoes can hold belts, a bag of earrings, socks, etc.
- - - The all-purpose purse. Ladies, the purse works at home, with a different color to fit the various outfits, but it may not work as you travel. That all-purpose purse starts to weigh a lot when you start actively sightseeing. Take the purse, but by all means, throw in a fanny pack or small backpack to hold essentials when you're hitting the road.
BY PLANE
- - - Keep it light. Overpacking is the #1 mistake people make, according to seasoned travelers. If you are traveling by plane for a short getaway, try to fit each family member's belongings into individual, lightweight luggage that can be carried directly onto the plane. It will eliminate the need for waiting in long, luggage lines as well as keep your belongings within sight. Anyone who has ever endured lost luggage can understand the importance of this tip. You accomplish many things if you can stick to this rule: safety (you know where your stuff is); peace of mind (you can see that it isn't being tamped with or jumped on by gorillas, as many travelers claim; ease (eliminating the long waits).
When you go through your wardrobe for the right ensemble for the trip, try to stay within certain color schemes so you can mix and match. This is important when it comes to shoes, pocketbooks and belts.
- - - Backpacks. First, make sure it will fit under the plane seat. Pack all the little niceties you will want to use on board. Man cannot live by a Lillipution-sized bag of peanuts alone. Pack yourself some snacks, reading materials, your essential prescription drugs, some wet wipes to eliminate trips to a public restroom. Also pack a bottled water or two. You'll be amazed at how much you'll crave water along the way. It will stop you from grabbing for the easily-available soft drinks
- - - The time factor. If you're used to that alarm clock to roust you, you will probably be looking for a wake up call at a hotel. If you're staying with relatives, it gets more dicey. Take along a watch with an alarm on it to eliminate the problem.
BY AUTO
- - - Keep it handy. Car rides are made so much longer when children get bored. Find organizers that will keep toys, books, pens, etc. organized but within reach of the child.
- - - Travel-sized games. All of the standards can be found in miniature size (4"x6 inches, tops). Scrabble, checkers, etc. are all available to provide entertainment when the day's activities are over and the family is winding down.
- - - The travel-sized cooler. Snacks are an essential on a trip. When I go on the weekend getaway, I often find I've spent a good bit before even leaving the state…just stocking up on the drinks, snacks and the like. A tiny cooler will quell the "Can we pull over" blues, as well as save you money.
- - - Wet Wipes or something of the sort. Odds are there will be some sort of accident. In fact, count on it.
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