Who doesn’t love a summer holiday? Sunshine, relaxed days, family fun and no chores.

But before you go, whether you are going somewhere close by or across the world, you need to pack. For some this is easy, but for most this is a daunting exercise.

We are staying home this December but we used to go away every year at Christmas while our girls were growing up. We had a cottage at the sea, and would spend the holidays there.

In the early days we would need to do a big shop here before we left, and ensure we had everything we needed. I had lists (I love my lists) to make it easier to organise and ensure we didn’t forget anything.

Packing list, shopping list, ‘things to take with us’ list, and the ‘what to do before we go’ list! Probably the most important list was my PRE-holiday checklist if we didn’t have people staying in our home while we were away.

So, this is my pre-holiday checklist:

• Trim lawn and tidy garden just before you go
• Leave keys and contact details with someone nearby
• Check all taps to ensure no dripping
• Ask someone to collect post
• Cancel newspaper
• Switch off geyser
• Unplug all electronic equipment
• Empty bins
• Clear out fridge and freezer and leave clean
• Set timers for lights if you can
• Ask a neighbour to pop in and open windows and curtains periodically

All your lists are ticked, your bags are packed, and you are ready to go! Relax and have a great holiday!

Do you have any more suggestions? It would be great to improve on the list!

Our youngest daughter moved out at the beginning of 2018, which left my husband and I and our 2 dogs rattling around in our family home. We took the opportunity to do some minor changes to our extra space and now rent it out as a holiday flat. We have had lovely people come to stay, some for a few days and others just overnight. The one thing I notice is the amount of luggage they bring with them. Most of the time it seems like a lot!

In our childhood home it was traditional to take down the Christmas decorations 12 days after Christmas, and so I continued that with my own family! This year, however, they are already down and packed away! I start work tomorrow (which is early for me) and yesterday was spent getting my home in order, ready for another year.

I thought I would share some of my personal tips. Here goes:

Packing up the decorations

• Take down all ornaments
• Remove any you won’t want to use next year
• Group ornaments and pack in tissue
• I use fruit packing sheets for baubles, and egg boxes for smaller items

Taking down the lights

• Start where you finish and wind up backwards
• Wind each strand round an empty toilet roll or paper towel roll
• Ensure you remove all batteries, and pack all adaptors

Take down the tree

• Pack away securely

Christmas décor and extras

• Pack items into boxes in categories and label clearly

o Tree decorations
o Lights
o Christmas cards and labels, wrapping, ribbon etc.
o Christmas crockery, candles and linen

Donate any unwanted decorations!

Do you have any tips for us?

Last week I wrote about what to consider packing when going on holiday. Today I am following up with how to pack….

Before you start:

1. Consider the weather and the activities you will be doing
2. If you are flying check with travel agent or airline as to regulations regarding on-board luggage
3. Make a checklist of everything you plan to take – clothes, shoes, toiletries, gifts, maps, and all trip details
4. With clothes choose 3 colours that work together. Rather change the look with accessories.
5. Pack neutral shoes that will go with everything, so you won’t need so many
6. Ensure that all your clothes are clean and wrinkle free. Button up and close all zips
7. Try to avoid clothing that needs heavy ironing

Now to packing:

Your hand luggage
1. Travel documents, jewellery (if you must take it with you), money, keys and other valuables
2. Small first aid kit, medication and travel size toiletries
3. Small sewing kit, small mirror, and an extra set of underwear
5. Stationery
6. A book, crossword, Sudoku or something to keep you busy

Packing the perfect suitcase

1. Attach a label with your contact details to inside of suitcase.
2. Attach a bright ribbon and a label with your contact details to the handle for quick identification
3. Write a list of everything you pack, checking everything off your list as you go.
4. Pack heavy items at bottom closest to wheels to avoid excessive wrinkling
5. Roll your clothing to save space and prevent wrinkles.
6. Pack tightly. Fill shoes with socks, stockings and other small soft items.
7. Put toiletries in Ziploc bags to prevent spillages
8. Avoid over packing
9. Take half as much clothing as you think you need
10. Unpack at the other end as soon as you can. Hang very creased items in bathroom while you shower to help with the wrinkles.
11. Keep your checklist with you so that when you pack up again you don’t forget anything!

Ready to go
Buy a travel guide of where you are visiting (AND READ IT)
Drink plenty of water before departing, continue drinking water and avoid alcohol while travelling
Dress comfortably, and sensibly
Take small spray bottle to spritz face regularly
Travel with small rucksack, or one large bag, rather than several bags. Pack handbag in luggage

How you pack sets the tone for your holiday! Pack light, pack right, have fun!!

With the holidays around the corner, I have been reading some of my previous posts and blogs on packing. I thought it might be good to chat about it again, and this time in two parts. Today, we look at what to pack and next week we look at how to pack for your holiday.

Whether you are travelling locally or overseas, it’s always worthwhile making lists of what you need to take with you. That way you don’t forget anything and don’t worry about possibly forgetting something really important.

Here is a fairly extensive list covering all aspects of international and local travel. It’s a good starting point for your trip, and you can add or take away what is not relevant to you

Important documents

• Passport and photocopies
• Visae (if required)
• Tickets/ e-tickets
• Travel insurance
• Accommodation and car hire booking references
• Currency/ credit cards/ debit cards
• Driver’s licence
• Guidebooks

Toiletries

• Toothbrush and toothpaste
• Hair brush, comb, hairdryer
• Razor
• Deodorant
• Nail clippers/scissors
• Mirror
• Contact lenses, solutions and spare glassesMedications
• First aid kit
• Soap, shower gel
• Shampoo and conditioner
• Moisturising cream
• Make up
• Sunscreen and lip balm
• Insect repellent (if necessary)
• Small towel or facecloth

Clothing

• Try to pack layers to accommodate all weather
• Pick 3 colours and mix and match your clothes
• Neutral shoes – comfy walking shoes, smart shoes, and slippers or slip slops (can be used in suspect showers)
• Enough underwear for the length of the trip
• Raincoat, umbrella
• Hot climate – swimsuit, sun hat and sarong (doubles as sheet, wrap, towel, scarf or skirt)
• Cold climate – thermal underwear, hat, scarf, gloves, thick socks, good coat or jacket

Useful/other

• Camera and charger
• Cell phone and charger
• Laptop if necessary or tablet and charger
• Worldwide adaptor plug
• Sewing kit
• Small multipurpose tool, scissors
• Small torch / flashlight
• Earplugs and chewing gum – great on an airplaneSafety pins, rubber bands, Ziploc bags
• Stationery
• Reading material, games

Next week, we will work on packing our suitcases….

My grandmother travelled quite a lot and always made packing look easy. She only ever had two pieces of luggage, a small suitcase and a large handbag. Her number one rule was “Don’t take more than you can manage on your own”. 

I thought you might find her packing tips useful! Here goes…

Before you start:

We are off on a roadtrip for two and a half weeks, and I am in the process of getting my lists together and checking that we have everything we need. I thought this would be a great opportunity to share with you how I get myself organised for a relaxed and happy holiday. We are crossing borders so this could be seen as ‘international travel’!

What to pack:

#1: Take half as much clothing as you think you need, and twice as much money!!
#2: Make lists and tick off as you pack
#3: Have a checklist with you so that when you pack up again you don’t forget anything!

#4: Important documents: