By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills
This is the season to travel. Tourist attractions, family celebrations, and new adventures are calling us. We might be headed for a weekend excursion or a lengthy trip, but the thrill is the same. Over the years, I’ve simplified my packing method, and I’d like to share with you 9 ways to ensure your next trip meets expectations with a smart plan for taking just what you need.
Here are 9 ways to make packing for your trip headache free—so you’ll have more fun.
- Store a trip-bag of toiletry items in small containers that are handy for you to grab at a moment’s notice. Ensure these are always full and ready to go. This is a huge help when you have a list of to-do items before leaving town. Large bottles take up way too much room, and the goal is to pack light and right.
- Ensure your trip bag of toiletries contains a medicinal day-to-day container so you don’t miss a single dose. I encourage you to include three extra days of medicines, vitamins, and supplements in case your trip is delayed returning home. Or maybe you splurge on an extra day or two and lack of meds shouldn’t stop you.
- Tuck important items into your carry-on in case luggage is lost—makeup, extra set of clothes, meds etc.
- Select outfits and accessories to mix and match with others. Basic black, white, and navy blue go with anything. Also consider travel knits.
- Choose a pair of shoes that go with everything. I know we women love our shoes but think about how much they weigh. Okay, what about just two pairs?
- Pack each day’s outfit with accessories inside a 2.5-gallon plastic, Ziplock bag. Now (don’t laugh) sit on it to release all the air, then zip it up. See how easily it lays flat in your luggage? The good news is when you open the bag, most wrinkles are nonexistent. Everything is right there to ensure you look the best for the day.
- Trip tip! Identify your luggage with something colorful like a scarf or tag. What’s yours needs to stay yours.
- Organize your luggage to head home. Sort your dirty clothes according to color. Remember those plastic bags you used to pack for the trip? Fill them up with clothes that are washer-ready. Yes, sit on these to seal them.
- Enjoy the whole experience!
Simplify your packing by making sure you have only what you need. This ensures you have room to do a little shopping!
Are you ready to plan your next getaway? What packing tips can you share?
Comments 21
I’m leaving for a month in Europe soon. Any tips for washing underclothes? Or do you spend $ and do a hotel laundry svc?
Hi Chris, your reply didn’t show until now. So sorry For those undergarments? Wash them the previous night and let them dry overnight. Works every time!
Chris, I fill an old plastic shaker bottle (like spices come in) with powdered laundry detergent. Close the sink stopper, sprinkle some detergent in, and fill about halfway with water. Swish it all around, then repeat the process with the detergent to rinse. Squeeze out excess water. Hang in a dry place – not the bathroom – until morning. I use quick-dry underwear (Ex Officio) and they’re dry by morning.
These are great packing tips, DiAnn. I had not thought of using Ziplock bags for clothes, but I think it’s brilliant. I usually slip some extra Ziplock bags in my bag even on weekend trips; they really come in hand.
May you have a fun, adventurous summer! Thanks for restoring adventure to our lives through the words you write.
Michelle, so sorry I’m late in responding to this. You are so welcome and enjoy your summer!
Don’t forget to pack your patience and your sense of humor! and “emergency granola bars” if you have dietary restrictions…
Jane Ann, LOL, yes, we need our patience or we’ll have a miserable time. Thank you for the reminder.
These are great tips! I would love to hear additional tips for traveling in winter, when the state I leave is having serious snowstorms and frigid temps while the state to which I’m flying (fleeing?) is much milder. So far, our solution has been to leave the bulky winter coats, gloves, and boots in the parked car, dash to the airport shuttle praying we won’t die of hypothermia, and reverse the process on the return trip. Has anybody else found a more workable solution?
Karen, I’ve been in your shoes and made cold dashes to the car or shuttle. We usually pack our winter coats in the outer pocket of our luggage so we can grab them before entering the cold. Other than that, I have no solution. Brrrr!
Thanks, DiAnn,
Most of those I already do, but thanks about the dirty clothes, I just stuffed them in a scented garbage bag. I have learned the hard way not to overdue and you don’t need to pack as many outfits for as many days you will be gone. If you travel by air, find out how many carryon bags they allow and stick to that. I have a jacket that has hidden inside pockets for all essential: meds, glasses, hand sanitizer, a small book/notebook for writing and pens. Lord willing, I will be cruising Alaska the first week of September.
These are fantastic tips! Especially the sitting in the bag to get the air out leaving your clothes wrinkle free. 😁
I’m trying that one for sure.
Love this! I don’t travel often, but when I do, I really like to lighten things up.
Cindy, I agree. It’s got to be easy to pack, or I lose my excitement at travelling.
I learn all my lessons the hard way–it took me a few years of travel before I figured out out to pack for two major trips per year. I will add this. I often left home to take care of my wonderful mother and equally wonderful mother-in-law. I could plan the first, however the latter trip tended to be last minute because of illness. By refilling containers as soon as I returned, I was ready to grab and go to her. So, your tips are great for emergency trips too.
Thanks, Peggy, oh yes, refilling the travel size containers as so as we return home handles a lot of – disappointments!
If Meatloaf can sing that “… two out of three ain’t bad”, then I should at least get a smile from “… six out of nine ain’t shabby neither.” 😀 I tried sitting on my baggie full of clothes, they screamed, “GET OFF!” Great packing ideas. I don’t miss my “Road Warrior” days before retirement and Covid. I can’t imagine traveling week after week today. Sheesh!
JD, as much as I love to travel, week after week would get hold really fast. We’ll leave the Road Warrior days to the younger ones. 🙂
Perfect timing! I leave for a two week trip in 3 days!
Cynthia, enjoy your trip. Rest, relax, and enjoy! Glad my tips helpedl
These are fantastic tips, Diann. Thank you!
Martha, you are so welcome! And thank you for posting a comment.