packing it up| pad patter 5.7.19

An organised packer. I have lists worked out and check everything off. I give each person their list they are responsible for and check they've ticked everything off. It's absolutely essential for all the medical supplies that I over pack. i'm supposed to take twice what we would normally need and everything needed for every possible emergency; then double it if in the UK and within 1 hour of a hospital, otherwise tripple it. Our medical luggage for 2 is nearly the same in quantity as 1 week's worth of luggage for 5.

 

I used to plan, plan plan. Now, I bring a bag of washing tabs, and a roll of quarters! We pack light and do laundry one night at hotel, pure lovely! Kids swim, I read a book and the machine cleans. I also, will take a few hours for shopping just mom, and pick up a new sun dress or shirts for boys!

 

I am usually a pretty light packer. I just throw some stuff in and call it done knowing that we usually have a washer and dryer and outlet malls nearby where we vacation. My husband is the crazy packer in our crew. He brings stuff “just in case.” I make fun of him all the time because he has his own suitcase (large I might add) that he packs to the brim and I can pack myself and our 3 youngest in a meduim size suitcase.
I am however in panic mode right now about packing. Our oldest graduates high school next Monday and for her big celebration of turning 18, finishing up high school, starting college, etc.... she and I, along with my mother, will be flying to Hawaii in a couple weeks. I have not flown since I was about 10 and I turn 40 this year so you can see that was several years ago . I feel like since all the rules at the airports have changed and such, I am at a loss for what and how to pack. I’m gonna have to make a list and check it twice.

 

I also make lists and start a few days ahead making sure everything is washed and ready, medicines all packed, then supplements and toiletries. I prefer to be left alone for an hour or so to get my stuff done, also neatly rolled and thought through.
Hubby and sons pack in 10 minutes but to be honest that's because I did all the other prep work.
Hubby gets and collates all the papers we might need, he keeps the travel stuff.
It works for us!

 

I am the absolute worst over packer and then I still don't get it right ... meanwhile my hubby packs in 2 minutes and always has the right things!

p.s. @keepscrappin I tried to leave you some return love in your gallery, but your profile is all locked up. I thought I would mention it just in case you didn't intend to have your gallery turned off to members

 

I'm getting more and more to be a light packer. I also roll my clothes. It takes up less space and things don't get very wrinkled. My hubby traveled all over the world for business his whole working career, so I consider him an expert packer. He lives by the rule "as long as you have any prescription medications + an extra pair of prescription glasses, you're good to go. You can buy anything else if you forget it.

 

I'm a light packer. Two weeks ago I flew cross country to spend 4 days at my parents' house. I fit what I need into a backpack that fit under the seat, satisfying my economy ticket requirement that allowed no overhead storage. And I loved not having a bag to check, zooming through the airport without waiting at the baggage claim, and keeping things simple.

 

It was United. Some kind of economy pricing. And it was a full flight, so even some people who were allowed overhead bin storage were asked not to use it if possible.

 

About a week or two before the trip I do a packing that I call my initial packing. I throw whatever in my suitcase and basically just think what could I need? Then a day or two before I take everything out and think to myself, do I need this and take it out or keep it. This works for me.

 

I'm a last-minute, just-in-case, over-packer. And, I pack for myself and my son. My daughter packs for herself but I always go thru a mental list with her to make sure she has everything she needs. My husband is a light packer and it usually scares me that he won't have enough to wear.

 

I was like "WHAT??" They have beach towels at the liquor stores in Hawaii? Because in NC, you can only buy hard liquor at the state run stores and they are called ABC Stores.

 

The last time I flew, it was to Settle for our Alaskan cruise. We each took a carry-on. Due to full flights, the airlines asked people to volunteer to have carry-ons checked, so we did for free. We did have to go to baggage claim to pick them up at the end of the flights.

I pack for my husband and I. I tend to really think about what we will do and only take clothes for that. Most of the time we come out about right. If we are going to a timeshare, I will take laundry soap and wash anything mid-week. The kids pack on their own. I just tell them the number of days to pack for and if they need anything "dressy". I can pack in about 15 minutes, assuming I have already washed anything I might need. DD takes a lot longer, makes lists, and yes, she packs her little first aid kit every time (Girl Scout training).

The biggest oops for me is personal hygiene things like face cleanser, etc. -- things I often use right before I leave. I did get smart and we have mostly fully stocked personal bags ready to go - no more forgotten toothbrushes.