Making a packing list
87Everybody loves going on vacation. The problem with a vacation is eventually you have to pack. It is a hassle; it is time-consuming; and if there is more than just you, it can be an overwhelming and daunting task!
Most of us don’t’ know how to pack when we are traveling or going on a roadtrip, but with a packing checklist, it will take some of the pain out of the whole process.
If you are anything like me, we pack and we pack some more, until eventually we have a full trunk full of stuff and still missing some of the bare necessities. I hate packing. I am pretty sure I am not alone in this. Yet, over the years, I have gone on several trips, and I have started perfecting the mission of packing lists.
Granted, I still do over pack at times. That is okay. After all, you never know what kind of adventure you might run into. Yet, there is nothing more frustrating than forgetting your toothbrush!
Making a list....
Making a list can be just as time consuming as the actual packing. This hub is designed to be a one stop shop so you no longer have to worry about making that list before you go. Obviously, the list will change depending on where you are going or how long you are going to be there, but the generics of it will hopefully provide you with enough of a list that you never forget the essentials.
When I make these lists I usually include the subtitle with each member of the familys name next to it. This allows me to check off whether I have enough for each person. If I was just packing for myself, I probably wouldn’t need to go indepth, but this really does help when you are packing for younger kids. An adult will probably need much less, but you never know when your young child might have an accident, whether it is because of that messy supper or just not making it to the bathroom on time.
Clothes Packing List
Clothes
| Husband
| Wife
| Kids
|
|---|---|---|---|
Shirts
| how many
| how many
| how many
|
Pants
| X
| X
| X
|
shorts
| X
| X
| X
|
underwear
| X
| X
| X
|
bras
| N/A
| X
| N/A
|
socks
| X
| X
| X
|
swimsuit
| X
| X
| X
|
pajamas
| X
| X
| X
|
shoes
| X
| X
| X
|
Jackets
| X
| X
| X
|
Explaining the list
This list is intended to be user friendly. Usually what I do is list each member of the families names. For the purpose of this hub, I have listed them as Husband, Wife, and Kids. Depending on how many children you have, you will probably want to list their names seperately.
The X's are intended to be numbers. The numbers will change depending on how long you are going. For instance, if you are going to be gone for a weekend, you might only need a pair of pants for an adult, but should always bring extras for the children.
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Toiletries
This is the area something is always forgotten. Unfortunately, it is also the most important thing to have along with. After all, you can't go a weekend without your toothbrush or deodorant! Well, you can, but you won't make any friends if you do.
For this part of the list, you can set it up similiar to the clothes list, or you can just check off the items as they are packed.
The List:
Toothbrushes
Toothpaste
Dental Floss
Shampoo
Conditioner
Body Wash
Deodorant
Make up
Hair products (gels, mouse, hair spray, hair ties, flat iron, curling iron, etc.)
Face wash
Razor
Shaving Cream
Medications (tylenol, allergy medicine, first aid kit)
Diapers or Little Swimmers (for those who have infants!)
This list is the stuff that you use on a daily basis. For me, I will bring just the necessities and what I can't live without. I don't think it is necessary to bring a curling iron if you are camping, but I want to make sure the list is complete enough to jog your own memory of what you use in your daily routine!
Electronics and Fun Stuff and other Necessities
This is the entertainment area. It isn't stuff that is necessary for a trip. Most of us can live without it. (However, I am a writer, and this is the portion of the list that includes my laptop. I will probably not survive without it, even if it is just a weekend vacation!)
Electronics:
Cellphones
Laptop and accessories
Camera and accessories
Handheld game systems
Chargers for all your electronic devices
Portable DVD player
DVD selection (should be in a mini binder and a small selection of what you have!)
Pen and Paper
Snacks (Especially if you are going on a long drive!)
Pillows/Blankets (Essential if you are going on a road trip!)
Road Map (You never know when you will get lost!)
Fun Bag for Kids (This should be filled with stuff to make their vacation more enjoyable)
Mini Mag Flashlight
Swiss Army Knife
Bottled water
Funnel (you never know if you will need it - can also be used by women in an unclean restroom!)
This is the portion of the list that is going to be the most variable. Obviously, if you don't have kids, you won't pack a Fun Bag for them. In addition, if you don't have a portable DVD player or handheld game systems, you can also knock those off the list. The main idea behind this list is to pack stuff that you will find fun. It is not a necessity, but is something definately good to have around.
Note: For the kids Fun Bags, I usually allow each one to pack their own. They fill it with crayons, coloring books, books, portable drawing tablets, and a few small toys. They are only allowed to take what can fit in their bag. They are also aware that the bag is sitting at their feet and if they pack too much, they will be uncomfortable and they probably will have a hard time getting their fun stuff out when they want to use it!
- Travel Tips: 8 Tips To Pack Like A Pro
Here are eight travel tips that will help you keep your packing simple but professional on your next trip. - 7 Best Spring Break Vacation Ideas for the Broke College Student
- 7 Best Spring Break Vacation Ideas for the Broke College Student
- Travel Tips: 8 Tips To Pack Like A Pro
Here are eight travel tips that will help you keep your packing simple but professional on your next trip.
The Easy Packing List
Using this list will hopefully make your packing much easier than it was the last time you went on vacation. This list works well for just about anything, and with a few tweaks, you can be ready for a cruise, a vacation on the beach, or a trip to the artic in no time.
When it comes to vacationing there are so many different destinations. The reason packing is so diffilcult, is because a person feels their list will change with each different destination. While that is a little true, if you keep a generic list handy, you will easily be able to tweak your list to fit every vacation need.
And remember, even if you are going someplace cold, don't forget the swimsuit. After all, you never know if you will be stopping at a hotel with an indoor pool. You would hate to be stuck there wishing you could go swimming, but can't because you forgot the suit at home!
Note: If you have anything you would like to add to this packing list, feel free to comment below. Hopefully, with everybody's imput, we won't be forgetting anything ever again when we go on vacation.
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For the toiletries items, I have a travel kit with most of the essentials in it and only replenish an empty item. I never unpack this so its always ready to go.
Great informative hub...
I agree on the above...packing without a list can be very misleading and one tends to forget something or the other :)
I'm glad to see someone else thinks like me in this. Being around my family members I thought I was the only one to make a list.
@Sachin - I am glad this is able to help you out. Even after years of traveling I always seem to forget something or another... or I over pack. A list helps keep my head on.
@Marellen - I used to have a little toiletries bag for when I traveled. For some odd reason I lost it. I really need to invest in another. Only I really didn't have it for traveling as much as for going to the gym. Definately a must have for the avid traveler.
@Ruchira - I realized having a list didn't really matter much until I started to put the numbers in and correlate it to the time that we will be gone. I still don't play the number game with myself, but for my kids it is a must. Otherwise I am questioning why I only packed them 2 Tshirts for a week long trip. ;)
@Daffy Duck - You are not the only one. I make lists for just about everything that I do. Currently I have a list of all the hubs I should be working on. Sometimes they work, and sometimes they are a great tool for procastination. Either way, lists are great tools! I don't leave home without them!
Domt forget drugs! I always pack Tylenol for adults and kids, Tylenol PM so I can sleep, band aids, allergy meds and a half pound of pot.
Haha! Just seeing if your paying attention!
Funny - when you said don't forget the drugs my mind automatically went straight for the pot and my mouth dropped open... lol! And then you straightened it out and threw it right back at me... lol
See - I do pay attention! Not much - but I do... lol
Nice information. I should follow your tips from now. Thanks for writing this. Rated up! Have a nice weekend.
prasetio
What a comprehensive list! Very thorough. Probably a good thing your husband doesn't need any bras! Ha!
@Prasetio - Thanks - I hope this helps you from now on and makes your packing much more smooth!
@Truckstop Sally - Thanks for the laugh - I didn't want to confuse people by putting an X there... but if they guy wants to pack bras he is more than welcome too.. lol
Haha! Too funny - it just popped into my head! Sorry I could not resist the urge to hit Post Comment!
Did you notice I added it to the packing essentials... lol
I just did! You are hilarious! I just saw Truckstop Sally's comment too! LOL! Oh I always laugh when I'm reading your hubs, you are a comical dream:)!
Although for professional purposes I did list it as medication... still scratching the head if I should go back and change it to drugs... lol
Really, this is a great idea, I travel as much as I can and I do use a check list but I never thought of adding the clothes to make sure there is enough. I have been stuck without enough more than once! You'd think I'd learn. Also I love the idea of telling the girls their bags are for their optional toys, like the DS, markers, etc - I just toss everything into the biggest bag - I for each person and call it a day.
Motley crew style:)!
Funny but I probably wouldn't have thought about this except we just went on our trip back to Wisconsin. What I realized is I have done it both ways... but if I don't make a list I always forget my makeup or my toothbrush... or one time I forgot underwear! Seriously... who forgets their underwear. Well, technically it was my husband. That is what he gets for having me pack for him... lol
I have done it both ways but this seems to be the least stressful... otherwise I overpack... I once had a pair of shoes for each day I was going to be gone. I am not a girly girl... but I do like my flip flops ;)
At least undies are cheap:) haha! I thought I packed an outfit per day for each girl when we went to Mexico. I shorted both girls - well really they changed clothes so often I had to buy each some clothes so they would have something clean and sand free to wear back home!
I rarely deviate from the flip flops in the summer BBG! They are so cute now - and comfy! The dogs like them too! I find that they drag just 1 and hide them. I just moved them couches back to dust under there and found 2 I had been missing! Haha!
I am so glad I am not the only one with that problem. for some reason I always seem to be missing one flip flop somewhere or another. Than, 6 months later it shows up... like in the garage or in the kids shoes or under the bed... like seriously, how does a missing flip flop end up in the garage. I blame the dog... oh wait - I don't have one! LOL :)
MayBe the kids are playing dress up!
Oh you should get a dog. Well maybe not until the children are old enough to take care of it for you! Haha!
I think it is my husband... maybe he likes wearing my flip flops. As of right now we have two dogs... but that is because we are staying with the inlaws. It is there dogs. I don't think they are wearing my flip flops. However, I don't have to worry about missing shoes anymore because they are all packed away in a box... I miss my shoes! lol
Well I bet you'd rather your hubby wear your shoes than your bras! Haha! I worked with this girl once - swear to God - don't tell anyone this! Ok - she came home from work early one day and he was wearing a pair of her pantyhose! Omg! We were all trying NOT to laugh when she would stupidly bring this up! Could you even imagine?!?! Well it was very entertaining to say the least!
I'm not at all trying to say that I am against cross dressing - that's fine for anyone other than MY husband!
Yeah - I am not into cross dressing either... for my husband. However one time I forced him to put on my bra and I stuffed them with kosh balls... lol... alcohol might have been involved. I have pictures. And no I won't post them... lol
Please! Oh please do! Hilarious!
Dave fell asleep in the recliner once and the little girls painted his fingernails hot pink:) that was sweet looking. He has huge burly and hairy hands. I hope no alcohol was involved! Lol!
Ha ha - that would have been a great picture! LOL
List is very useful not only for vacations but also for simple shopping!!!
Great tips, I will use them.
@Coding Staff - I have to agree. If you make a list it comes in handy in several different areas. I am a visual person so I am always making lists.
@Susie Duzy - I hope you can make some use out of this. I think it is a great way to keep organized!
great hub, especially for those with kids to think of (luckily, i only have to plan for myself). another great benefit of a list (And maybe it was mentioned but i missed it) is that is a great way to make sure you repack everything for the trip home. that shirt on the balcony drying, or camera in the night stand you SWORE you wouldn't forget... tends to get left behind anyway. a list helps prevent this!
That is an outstanding suggestion. I don't think I mentioned it. But you are very correct. We should keep this list on us so that when we return, we return with everything we took with us.
Forwarding to the wife now...leaving for FL on the 5th. Thanks!
You are very welcome - hope you have fun in Florida!
I always forget few things while traveling it is really nice list you created here.
Thank you. I am glad this list has proven to be helpful.
In addition to your list, I also include Swiss Army knife, Mini-Mag Flashlight, and bottled water.
Great hub! Useful.
That is some great recommendations, I will get right on adding those!
@Realhousewife - per your suggestion - I took your dare and added a funnel to the list of things necessary. I did make a note that it is usefull if there is a dirty restroom that a woman has to deal with. Ha ha
LMAO! You did it! Yay! Rolf!
Of course I did... I don't shy down from a dare.. lol
I'm gonna have to keep that in mind;) Sweet! Oh I was checking out your FB - your family is so beautiful! I have to say it's strange looking thru others photos and comments - I was lurking AND stalking!
Ha ha - great - what did I get myself into... lol
Thanks - I think my family is a pretty darn good looking group of people. Since I always have a camera in hand, my kids have become the charmers in front of the camera. They are going to have a field day looking back at all the memories when they are older! :)
Yeah curiously I kept trying to figure out who took the photo!
Have you ever gone sky diving? I was jokingly going to say it but I just realized - you might have!
Some of the family photos that we took are still me taking the picture. I line everybody up and put my camera on self timer! It works wonders. For Christmas I got a tripod so that makes things a lot easier. Otherwise, mostly, I am not in the photos. However, I do take about 99.9 percent of the photos. LOL
And no - I have never been sky diving. I am too darn chicken. I love rollercoasters, but heights freak me out! YIKES!
This is a very useful hub. I enjoyed reading it and the comments of our co hubbers. Although I´ll be away for a week alone, I still need a list to avoid forgetting something that I need. Thanks for sharing.
@Thelma - I am glad that you enjoyed this. It really is an necessary evil. It may seem like a pain to start off with, put it really saves time in the end.
Do you ever find that you continue to follow a hub forever and ever because the commentary is so fun? Yeah this is one of those:) still here! Lol. And still wanting to have to pack for a big trip!
@Real - ha ha - wierd one to follow forever... now drive by puking... I would have thought that would have gone nuclear! LOL
You can always practice packing! Granted... it isn't fun to have to put it away, but for fun you can throw it back in haphazardly so it is like the real thing. When is your next big trip anyway? Did you decide where you were going to go?
We are taking a one day train trip to Chicago 7/31 ! Gonna be so fun - the girls have never been on a train. We will be there for like 9 hours - enough to go to the museum, navy pier and lunch - then back home! Lol
I leave for Thanksgiving each year - but everyone in the family wants to go to Miami with us this year;)
That sounds like such a blast!!! I haven't really ever explored chicago. Such a shame since I was only a 3 hour drive away from it. I have flown out of it... but that is about it. Miami should be a blast! Especially when it is still nice there and cooling down by you. Then the fun part starts... trying to figure out what to do next year... lol
Excellent idea and one that I do with every trip. It just makes it so much easier not to forget anything when you have this list. Voting this Up and Useful.
@alocsin - I used to pack by the seat of my pants but found that it never failed... I always forgot the socks or something. Now I have a huge collection of socks that are in perfectly good condition so I can't get rid of them. Now, I use a list! LOL
Stacy...
I once went on a trip for 10 days only to find, when I got there, I had packed a toothbrush, five pairs of 501s and a single shirt. This list could have saved me...
Thomas
@Thomas - It definately could have saved you... and it could have saved your friends too... I notice how you only brought a toothbrush but no toothpaste... and no deodorant! LOL Remind me not to travel with you! ;)
A packing list is a great idea. I am one of those people who packs everything except the kitchen sink. When I get to my destination, I only wear a quarter of what I packed and don't have much room to bring back souvenirs. Drives my husband crazy. I will definitely be using your list! Great hub! Votes and shared! :-)
Really good article with a great starter list. I don't use one for travel, but my son, who often takes extended trips as part of his job, swears by his packing list. Glad you shared this information with so many. I missed if first time around. Glad Sholland shared it.
This was very helpful since I will be taking a family trip on Friday to Tennessee for vacation. Thanks for making my packing go more smoothly:)
@sholland10 - I feel your pain - I am the exact same way. My main problem is, and this drives my husband nuts, is I tell him what I wear depends on my mood. And shoes - well, you have to have a variety to match. Making a list has definately cut down on my overpacking, or at the very least, it at least reminds me how much junk I need to bring back! :)
@Cyndi10 - I am glad you ended up catching this. For me, the packing list is a necessity. After all, I am ultimately packing for 5 people and it is hard to remember if on person has there socks and another one has their underwear. I do remember one trip where we had to go out and by socks for everybody (except me) I think I have been religiously using a packing list since then! :)
@CookwareBliss - Glad you found this useful. Have fun on your family trip! Hope it is a good one!
SHOES? WHY CAN'T HUSBANDS UNDERSTAND SHOES ARE A MUST IN VARIETY??? LOL
@sholland10 - It stumps me too... maybe it is because they only have three pairs - tennis shoes, dress shoes, and flip flops. Not much variety in that! They will never learn ;)
sachinbille 13 months ago
Damn good!!.....I always not able to pack my bag properly...always miss my toothbrush:-).....good info and nice list!