3 Simple And Effective Packing Tips
Initially, I’d intended that this month’s blog would recap our long weekend road-trip to Pennsylvania. However, with lots of questions, comments, and activity around the packing tips and videos I recently shared on Instagram in preparation for that trip, I decided to focus this month’s blog on packing. It really IS a good time for it, as we are approaching a long weekend: Fourth of July weekend! Are you packing for an Independence Day trip!?
Either way, whether packing for this weekend or any trip this summer and beyond, I hope these tips are helpful to you or someone you know.
NOTE: This blog article contains Amazon affiliate links from which My Cruising Family receives a small commission, bu the price is the same for you.
Tip/Step #1 - Start with a list
You can pretty much write your packing list on any plain paper - a plain sheet of paper, a notebook, or journal. I recently purchased a travel notebook from Somerset Paper, created by my friend Jill at Fly Mommy Chronicles, and it worked great for organizing items to pack for our recent long weekend road-trip.
On my packing list, I like to include general categories that apply to everyone, then I write under each category heading what I’ll pack in that category for each person. Another approach is to categorize by person then list the items to be packed for each person under their name. The “listing by category” approach has been the best approach for me, especially since I usually tend to pack for four: my husband, our 10-year-old, our 6-year-old, and myself. In my experience, I find the category approach is a better safeguard against overlooking something. The “listing by category” approach also helps me plan matching outfits because, under the “clothes” heading, I may list “yellow and black outfit” or “Jamaica t-shirt,” and I’d pull a yellow and black outfit for each of us or a Jamaica short for each of us.
The travel notebook I recently used already has category headings prepared, so I just go ahead and jot down items that are within those categories. Pre-printed categories in my travel notebook include the following:
Clothing
Accessories
Toiletries
Miscellaneous
Prior to using this notebook, my categories looked very similar, and may have included additional sections like the following:
Electronics
Documentation
Tip/Step #2 - Lay out all items to be packed
I usually use my packing list as a checklist to lay out the items on my bed, and some on the floor. All items get checked off as they’re laid out. There are certain items that may not get checked off because they aren’t being laid out at the same time as other items. Usually, these are items we’ll use on the day of to get ready.
That leads me to this… I admit to not doing this next thing the same way all the time, but what I definitely do is decide which method we’ll all use for the particular trip - and that is whether we’re packing current toothbrushes, toothpaste, toiletries, which means packing them on the morning of, OR packing new toothbrushes, toothpaste, toiletries, etc., which means we can pack them ahead of time. One may say it makes sense to pack new or travel-sized toiletries all the time, but that depends on the frequency of your travels AND your personal preference. There is no right or wrong way to do this. Do what works!
Tip/Step #3 - Use packing organizers or packing cubes
I love to use packing organizers and packing cubes! I love the Rume Garment Travel Organizer. I have at least four of them because, for our average one-week trip, I usually dedicate one Rume to each of us. On one side of the Rume are four compartments sorta like packing cubes, and the other side is a zippered garment bag that can hold clothes on hangers. The whole thing folds into one compact cube that fits neatly into standard-sized carry-on bags. We love it! Although the Rume company has gone out of business, there’s no need to fear because packing cubes do a great job also!
Packing cubes come in a variety of sizes and colors. Personally, when using packing cubes, I like to color-code by using one color per person. Usually, my hubby’s clothes go in the gray cubes, AJ’s go in the blue cubes, LJ’s go in the orange cubes, and mine go in the burgundy cubes. Another option is to dedicate a certain color for certain days, so for example, all the outfits for Friday go in purple cubes, while Saturday’s outfits go in green cubes. Again, it’s a matter of preference. Do what works!
For items we love to use and suggest, visit my Amazon store: www.amazon.com/shop/mycruisingfam
Get packed and ready to go!
After making your list, laying out all items to be packed, and using a packing organizer/packing cube, place those packed organizers/cubes into your bag(s)/suitcase(s). Remember, if you’ll be using any of the items going with you on your trip on the day you’re leaving, you will need to pack them immediately after using them. Placing a sticky note on the door to remind you of the items that still need to go into your bag is a great way to remember to pack those items before leaving for your trip.
You’re now packed and ready to enjoy your trip!
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Preparing this blog had me realizing that there are life lessons even in packing. Like other things in life, when packing, I have to organize my thoughts, write them down, then get into action. Also, like other things in life, when packing, there are different ways to do it allowing for you to exercise your personal choice. Do what works!
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Is this how you pack and do life also? If so, go ahead and let me know by leaving a comment. If you approach it differently, go ahead and let me know that too!
If you find this to be helpful, then, please, share this article with someone you know. As June 2021 wraps up and we enter the second half of the year, stay safe, be well, and enjoy the journey!