Packing for a vacation can be stressful, frustrating, and overwhelming. As you rack your brain trying to remember everything that you need to pack, you might feel like you need a vacation from your vacation. Read on for some helpful packing tips designed to help you pack efficiently and to prevent an important item from slipping your mind!
Clothing
The hardest part about packing for a vacation is determining what to wear on your trip. Obviously this varies greatly depending on the kind of vacation you take, but whether you're getting away to the tropics or going on a ski weekend, we can all benefit from sound packing advice.
The easiest way to decide what clothes to pack to make a general itinerary of your plans during your vacation. Will you be spending most of your time lying on the beach? Will you go out for fancy dinners? Do you need layers for keeping warm on the slopes? How many pairs of shoes should you bring? Make a list of the types of outfits you will need for the duration of your trip, and then head to your closet to select the items you wish to pack.
Select versatile pieces that can be coordinated to create various outfit combinations. This way, you can put together several unique ensembles using fewer items. You should also pack clothing that can be layered easily and make sure to be prepared for sudden changes in the weather.
While your fashion needs will depend on the nature of your trip and your itinerary, the following are some vacation clothing staples you should include:
- T-shirts/casual tops
- Sweatshirt/jacket
- Dress/skirt
- Dress pants/khakis
- Shorts
- Jeans
- Polo shirt
- Bathing suit
- Casual shoes/sneakers
- Dress shoes/high heels
- Pajamas
- Bras/underwear
- Socks
TIP: You can add variety to your vacation wardrobe by throwing in some accessories-a chic pair of earrings and heels can easily transform a casual top and jeans from a day outfit to a night-out ensemble.
Toiletries
Though many hotels provide shampoo, lotion, soap, and other toiletries, many of us prefer to bring our favorites from home. If you're traveling by plane, remember that there are restrictions on how much liquid you can bring in your carry-on luggage. Consider using travel-sized containers for your shampoo, conditioner, lotion, and body wash. When packing toiletries, out them in a zippered toiletry case or a large plastic Ziploc bag to keep them separate from other contents of your suitcase and avoid accidental spills.
Below is a list of suggested toiletry essentials to pack for your trip:
- Shampoo/conditioner
- Lotion/moisturizer
- Toothbrush/toothpaste/floss
- Deodorant
- Soap/body wash
- Cosmetics
- Makeup remover and cotton balls
- Hair-care products
- Brush/comb/hair ties
- Razor/shaving cream
- Perfume/cologne
Beach necessities
If you are planning a luxurious beach getaway, you'll probably be spending much of your vacation in the sun, whether tanning on the sand or playing in the water. It's a good idea to bring a separate beach bag to stow these items on the way home, as they may be wet or covered in sunscreen and sand. Tossing your wet bathing suit or sandy towel in your suitcase with your 'dry-clean only' dress is a big no-no.
Here are some more items that you will want to pack for the beach:
- Sunscreen
- Beach cover-ups
- Beach toys for the kids
- Beach hats and sunglasses
- Bathing suits
- Flip-flops
- Cooler for water and snacks
- Umbrella
- Books or magazines
- Beach towels or blankets
- Aquatic equipment such as snorkels, fins, and goggles
- Aloe vera or other after-sun lotion
Other Essentials
Have you ever gone on a trip and realized once you got to the airport that you forgot something incredibly important at home, like your plane tickets, passport, camera, or phone charger? That could spell disaster. Here's a checklist to make sure you don't forget these travel essentials:
- Airline tickets : Make sure to remember these or you won't be going anywhere!
- Cash : Depending on where or how you are traveling, you may need access to cash. If you're driving to your destination, you might need it for tolls. Plan accordingly.
- Batteries / chargers : Your cherished technological devices will be rendered useless without their batteries or chargers. Don't forget your phone charger, camera charger or rechargeable battery, MP3 player charger, laptop or tablet charger, etc.
- Passport / ID / Other travel documents : Traveling internationally? Be sure you have all the relevant documents, including but not limited to your passport, visa, and proper identification.
- Camera and memory card : What good is a vacation if you don't capture the memories? Forgetting your vacation can put quite a downer on the trip. Don't forget the charger, batteries and memory card as well!
- Mp3 player / headphones : Keep yourself entertained while traveling, and remember to pack your music player, earphones, and charger.
- Medications / First-aid kit : If you are taking any prescription medications, you will certainly not want to forget them. If you are flying with your prescriptions, there are certain regulations and procedures to follow--read about them in more detail here. Some other handy items to have: adhesive bandages, pain reliever, antiseptic, and aloe vera gel for sunburns.
Make a Checklist
Before you start packing, craft a detailed checklist of every item you will need to bring with you, based on the suggestions in this guide as well as your specific needs. Begin packing a few days in advance, starting with the items you won't need or use before you leave. Save the everyday items for last, such as deodorant and your toothbrush. Once an item is packed, check it off on your list. This will help you stay organized and prevent you from forgetting any important items.
No time to write your own checklist? Click vacation checklist for a printable version.