Packing Tips for Great Trips!

So, you want to start packing but are not sure where to begin?! Packing Tips is a section that we have put together to help you make some valuable decisions when it comes to packing.

What does Packing mean?

def: Packing - Pronunciation[pak-ing]

–noun 1. the act or work of a person or thing that packs.

2. the way in which something is packed.

3. material used to cushion or protect goods packed in a container.

et al

When and Why use a Packing Tips?

Very often, people dive straight into packing without giving it much thought. You think all is fine until you arrive at your destination and realise you have forgotten some of the stuff you meant to bring!

Packing Tips and Lists are here to help you to make those decisions so that you don’t end-up in the middle-of-nowhere without a toothbrush!! J

We advise that you use a packing list to help put order to chaos and help you prepare for the big outing that you have planned. You will see that you can add a packing list to almost all things you do in everyday life.

Examples:
Air Travel List
Ship Cruise List
Moving House
Pregnancy Planning List
Sleepover Party List
And so on...

Fantastic Packing Tips

Getting Started

1. Psyche Yourself Up

Preparing to pack can seem quite daunting. It doesn’t need to be if you prepare properly. Preparing is part mental and part physical so get your mindset right before you tackle what lies ahead. Think about the exciting times ahead once packed and off to your destination.

Right… What’re you waiting for? Let's Get Going!

2. Know What You Are Packing For

Before you throw yourself into packing, identify what it is you will be packing for. Are you travelling? Going on a cruise? Different occasions call for different packing ideas. So think about it first before you run off and grab your shoes and leather belts.

3. Plan What You Need

After deciding what it is you are preparing for, its time to choose the right tools to aid you in your plan.

Packing Tips for Success

Tip 1: Folding Clothes

When packing your clothes, make sure that everything is folded neatly before placing your clothes in the bag. (See Tip 7 for space saving ideas.)

Click the - 'Folding Like a Pro' video link - to see how Ben folds a t-shirt. I’ll bet you never thought that these things existed!

[Ben is not not affiliated to packing-list-advice but a great video nonetheless.]

Tip 2: Pack Light

Packing light is beneficial as it allows you greater mobility which can be very important when trying to catch that flight!

The trick to packing light is to adopt the 50/50 Rule! i.e. Take out all the items you want to take with you on vacation and place them in an area ready to pack. Now choose 50% of these items to take with you. The remaining 50% can be packed back into your cupboards. Be ruthless!

Tip 3: Carry cash

Always ensure that you have a small amount of cash from the country that you are visiting. This helps when trying to catch a cab or getting some food just after you arrive at your destination. If you don’t have the money, don’t panic, most ATM machines around the world will dispense cash for you (plus charges).

Tip 4: Plastic Bags

Plastic bags (Zip Loc, Black Bags, etc) are great to carry with you as they are light, disposable (get the bio-degradable kind), cheap and easy to use. They have a multitude of uses eg. Packing you shoes, packing toiletries that might leak, used as dirty clothes disposers, and on and on. Pack a few when travelling. They’ll always come in handy.

Tip 5: Research

Knowing a bit about the place you are visiting makes the trip there a lot more exciting. Learn about where you will be staying, the environment, the history, the people. A variety of resources are at your fingertips – the internet, travel guides, friends. What are you waiting for?! J

The world is a big place but it doesn’t have to be a foreign place.

Tip 6: An Itinerary

Having a pre-planned agenda of what you hope to accomplish while at your destination. If you are going on a picnic, do you want people to play board games? What time should everyone eat?

An itinerary helps to remind you of what you had planned to do in the first place (including names, numbers and contact details)! It also takes the stress out of decision making once you’re already there.

Tip 7: Packing Technique

You might not think much of packing but packing tips techniques can save you time, space and help avoid costly mistakes. Ideas: Place liquid in less than full plastic bottles, pack socks into shoes into shoe bags, roll clothes to avoid wrinkling, don’t over pack, unpack as soon as possible.

Tip 8: Weather

The weather will help determine the most appropriate items to pack. Look on the web for somewhere with a seven day forecast to give you a good idea of temperature fluctuations.