Vacation is just days away and it is time to pack. Everyone in the family should have their own suitcase. This is much easier for kids to be able to get dressed each day and to eliminate arguments if you have children that share clothing. Everyone knows what is theirs for the trip. I use a rolling duffel bag style with a big compartment on the bottom perfect for shoes and purses, clothing in the main compartment, and the small pockets on each end are perfect for under clothing and small items. Some people prefer a regular suitcase style and shape which works great as well. When purchasing luggage always try walking with it to ensure it rolls well and "fits" you.
Think through all you are packing and look for interchangeable outfits. A good rule of thumb is one outfit per day for adults and older children. This can be one pair of shorts for every two shirts. For younger children you will want a couple of back up sets of clothing. If you are headed to the beach take 2 bathing suits per person; no one wants to put on a wet suit. For woman or older girls a couple of solid black or other neutral dresses are perfect for dinner out. Just pack different jewelry to create the ensemble. For men 1 or 2 pair of dress pants with different shirts and ties (if desired) are plenty depending on the length of the vacation and destination. Adjust your needs according to the type of trip you are taking, a cruise will require different evening wear than a family vacation to a cabin on the lake. Learn to be selective as you pack and always leave room to bring home anything new you happen to purchase along the way.
Shoes are a great accessory and some of us LOVE to wear different shoes with every outfit. However, they do take a lot of space when packing. My shoes are small enough that they actually fit inside Richards so I am able to get two pair in the space of one. This is a great way to pack the kids shoes. When packing shoes place them heel to toe with the bottoms facing each other. This helps eliminate dirt or marks on other items. Always wipe off the shoes, especially the bottom, before placing in the suitcase.
Consider only one or two pair of heels to be worn in the evening for dinner and easy to pack flip-flops or sandals in lots of colors for the day time. You can easily fit 3 pair of flip-flops in the space of one pair of heels. Last year I was gifted with a pair of Lindsay Phillips Switch Flops. These are wonderful to travel with. There are lots of styles available including regular flip-flops with interchangeable ornamentation for the top, kitten heel style perfect for evening wear with interchangeable straps, etc. You can purchase one pair in a neutral color and have dozens of options with the snap on pieces. You can order online or check the web for stores in your area that carry them. There are also purses with changeable covers that are great for those that love to coordinate purses to the outfits.
Always pack a few "just in case" items, i.e. a travel size umbrella, sweater or light jacket for each family member, a pair of tennis shoes for surprise hiking excursions or rain, a ball cap or floppy hat for those extra sunny days, etc. The same friend that gifted me with the Switch Flops (Kathy is a former Travel Agent like me) suggested a nice sized light weight shawl for women instead of a sweater or jacket. Again choose a neutral color that can be worn with anything. I have a black one and a pink one I travel with. These are perfect to use on a plane or in the car when the driver needs the air on high and you are freezing. :) They work great to cover up with for a nap on the hotel bed or lounge chair on a cool evening. They are also perfect for a chilly restaurant or theater, to dress up any outfit for a nice evening on the town or when taking a late evening stroll on the beach.
To pack a duffel style bag I recommend rolling the clothing. Lay the item on a flat surface, smooth out all wrinkles, button every other button of shirts, fold item in half length wise to a width of approximately 10 - 12 inches, fold in half again if an extra wide item, beginning at the widest end of the garment (bottom for shirts, top for pants and shorts) begin tightly rolling the item smoothing wrinkles and creases as you go. Place like items together in the bag. For children, stack an outfit a day--place the largest item on the bottom (pants or shorts), lay a top on next, then place socks and underwear on top of these items and again roll tightly. This will help the children easily dress before that big day at the museum or zoo without you having to dig out matching clothes for them. Allow children to pick out clothing they want to wear on the trip.
To pack a regular suitcase lay clothing out flat in the suitcase, smoothing wrinkles and buttoning every other button of shirts, let arms or legs of pieces hang over the edges. Once everything is in, put socks and underwear, shoes or anything fragile right in the center, then fold arms and legs over just to the edge of the suitcase. This eliminates a lot of wrinkles and uses every inch of space.You can easily stack "outfits" using this method. (Thanks for this great tip Kathy.)
For cosmetics, meds, flat irons, etc., I recommend a separate suitcase. If traveling by air these are the items you want to carry on including a change of underclothing. Be sure to check regulations for proper sizes and items allowed in your carry on. Log on to the TSA website to find out if you can carry on wrapped gifts, etc. If in doubt check it out and if you can't get an answer, don't try to carry it on unless you are willing to give it up. If possible place all of the family's items in no more than one carry on size bag per adult. Children should each have a back-pack filled with busy items whether traveling by car, train, or air. Do not expect small children to handle a suitcase even if it rolls. Women are allowed to carry on a large purse as well as a carry on in most cases. Again check with the carrier to make sure. I normally carry on a large purse with a magazine, Kindle, or book, my shawl and a water bottle along with my suitcase. A back-pack or diaper bag will count as your carry on even if you do not have a purse with. So, if you want a back-pack during your vacation, pack an empty one in your suitcase. Regulations have also recently changed for car seats, strollers, etc. Be sure to check before hauling the items to the airport. Remember the less you have to lug through the airport or train station, the happier everyone will be.
Remember it is a vacation so eliminate as much stress as possible in advance.
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