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bestcee

bestcee

In love with places I've never been to
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Dec 18, 2013
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Packing for a trip or vacation. Are you a good packer? An overpacker? An underpacker?
My mom left for Greece this morning with my dad, brother and brother's friend.
My mom started packing at 9am yesterday. And declared herself done, except for underwear (in the dryer) at 11pm. It was driving me crazy! And she has a specific packing list! Yes, she stopped to do a few mom things, like start the laundry. But we kept the kids from bugging her until 2pm. Then gave up.
My dad took 1 hour in the morning, and 1 in the evening and he was done.
I'm in the middle. For this trip, it took me 2ish hours to pack both me and munchkin. And another 30 min for the dog.

So, what kind of packer are you?
 
We are leaving on Saturday for vacation. I am a list maker - vital for those items you use up to the last minute. Kids pack their own clothes; I just give guidelines like x days, 1 nice set, etc. I pack for hubby. Maybe 1 hour to pack?

We are going to a timeshare condo, so I am also taking food, coffee grinder, maybe the french press, coffee filters, salt & pepper, etc. The good news I have an official timeshare goodie bag that I can just grab. I have already started pulling things to take, so maybe another hour doing this.
 
Of course, traveling by car is easy to pack for as there is more room. Flying is another story and that could take awhile to figure it all out. Probably a few hours spread over a few days. And lots of lists...
 
DH has started traveling more frequently for work so he keeps a quart size bag with his toothpaste/brush and deodorant. And he just throws clothes in his suitcase. He's done in like 20 min.
But I take awhile cuz when I pack, I'm also packing for both kids. *sigh* and I start packing for myself a few days early. I pack all clothes I'll need asap. I pack the kids the night before cuz Heaven help me if I pack a shirt they wanted to wear before the trip! When they were in diapers I just packed up the dipes/wipes a day ahead so I wouldn't worry!
To make it easier to remember those last-minute toiletries I keep my toiletry bag in the bathroom on my vanity. The morning of the trip I can throw my toothbrush, hair gel, etc right in the bag and pack it. Oh, and we fly southwest so I always check the bag with my toiletries. Then I don't have to worry about 3oz or less.
 
Depends on the trip. If it's a weekend trip, about 1 hour. If we are taking our week long trip to Florida then one day (but that's for a family of 9 and of course that includes multiple interruptions from little kids!). If it's a 3 week adoption trip to China....then a whole month! LOL! I lay my suitcases out and throw stuff in there as I think about it and then rearrange it when it gets closer. I'm a pretty light packer and only take necessities...which is pretty much a necessity with a large family!
 
I'm a list maker too- but generally I underpack. I always forget something like pajamas or something- Not that my hubby cares! ;) ;) It seems like I always have everything plus extras for the kids & hubby- just my own stuff I forget! My hubs is an OVER packer & drives me crazy! For our usual car trips to see my family (every few months it seems) I can get packed & the car loaded up in a few hours at most.
 
I am usually horrendous! I over pack so much. We are headed to Ireland in a few weeks and this has me so stressed. The weather is all over the map unpredictable! Which doesn't help. And we are each only bringing our personal item and 1 small carry on - so we are sure to fit it in the rental car. We are driving all over the country so everything we bring has to fit in the car with the four of us.
 
I'm an overpacker. Every time, no matter where we are going or for how long. It takes me forever, :( We have some trips coming up and I am dreading the packing.
 
I usually over pack quite a bit, but I am a fast packer. If it's a long trip, I make a list...for short ones I wing it. I always figure if I forget something, we can pick it up somewhere. We are going out of town just overnight tomorrow night to take DS to a football camp in TN, so I'll probably pack right before we head out the door.
 
I do make a packing list because I do get easily distracted; last year when we went to the beach I definitely over packed! I wasn't sure how the kids would do on the 6 hour drive (which always turns into more with all of the food/stretch/restroom breaks) so I made them each a binder with things to keep them busy, and they only did one of the games LOL! They used my husbands hotspot to play games on some old phones that don't have any plans; I over packed snacks and drinks, and I brought beach toys that were played with for about 5 mins LOL!

Clothes I'm usually spot on with same with toiletries.
 
Scrapping with Liz said:
Depends on the trip. If it's a weekend trip, about 1 hour. If we are taking our week long trip to Florida then one day (but that's for a family of 9 and of course that includes multiple interruptions from little kids!). If it's a 3 week adoption trip to China....then a whole month! LOL! I lay my suitcases out and throw stuff in there as I think about it and then rearrange it when it gets closer. I'm a pretty light packer and only take necessities...which is pretty much a necessity with a large family!
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This is me. I do have a big trip travel list that I have accumulated over the years which is also very helpful.
 
I can't pack without a list. I'm a terribly slow packer, too. For our trip to Scandinavia last summer I spent 3 months making the list and purchasing the items I'd need, including the backpack carry on luggage. The actual packing took 5 days. I'm not kidding. This is typical for me. DH took 15 minutes, which is typical for him. We were just doing the carry on plus one personal item so I wanted to make sure I had what I needed! And it worked.
 
bbymks5 said:
I do make a packing list because I do get easily distracted; last year when we went to the beach I definitely over packed! I wasn't sure how the kids would do on the 6 hour drive (which always turns into more with all of the food/stretch/restroom breaks) so I made them each a binder with things to keep them busy, and they only did one of the games LOL! They used my husbands hotspot to play games on some old phones that don't have any plans; I over packed snacks and drinks, and I brought beach toys that were played with for about 5 mins LOL!

Clothes I'm usually spot on with same with toiletries.
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I'm impressed! At least you tried. A++ for a great mommy effort!
 
I bought a laminator and everything!!! I glued over 100 pom poms to pieces of magnets that I cut so the youngest one could put matching color pom poms on pictures I printed off. Never. Again. LOL

londoncuppa said:
I'm impressed! At least you tried. A++ for a great mommy effort!
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I tend to be an overpacker. I create lists so I won't miss the things we need. I also sort the list by person and bag (suitcase, backpack, etc). A couple days before the trip I shop for things that we still need (diapers, replacement toiletries). Then I can pack the day before pretty quickly.
 
I take a few hours and I'm done.

Our trick is when you're flying and you're gonna stay away for a few weeks, is to pack clothes/shoes and only little travel packs of shower gel, etc. Because that is gonna way a ton and you don't want to waste your weight on those items. When we went on a road trip through the USA last summer with our family, we each had just travel size tooth paste, creme, etc. We went and bought full sized products on the day we arrived and the day after. Used it together and it was just about empty when we had to fly back 3,5 weeks later.

Just remember that most things you forget, you can just buy in the new country. Don't worry too much.

Also don't forget to leave some room and weight in your luggage for gifts and souvenirs you want to bring home!
 
Well Greece would take me ages to pack for like Liz's adoption trip (even without all those kids) & generally I over pack & am a list-y but usually still manage to forget something!

@jenn mccabe totally jealous & will be living vicariously thru your pics!
 
berniek said:
Also don't forget to leave some room and weight in your luggage for gifts and souvenirs you want to bring home!
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This! We squash an empty duffle bag into our luggage every trip b/cos repacking to come home nothing ever fits even without a ton of souvenirs!
 
I really really don't like packing any more. If we're here in the US, I no longer worry about what I might forget though I do make lists. As my dh says, there's bound to be a Target or Walmart very close by. In fact on our recent trip south for granddaughter's hs graduation, he stopped in a grocery store for deodorant. I've also found that if I need an item of clothing, there is often a better selection in the place we're visiting especially when we're changing seasons. Phoenix has summer clothes all year!

It's the European trips that are harder. Suitcase space is more limited because as @jenn mccabe said you have to be sure you and your suitcases will fit in a probably smaller car. My dh has size 14 shoes and minds the cold so our normal winter vacations are a real challenge for him in packing. Last year's December trip to England did not have me prepared for some warmish days. I really could have used a short sleeved t shirt as opposed to my sweaters.
 
I have a packing list for big trips that I can alter based on weather. I have to admit I start a week ahead of time by laying clothing/shoes/sundries out in our spare room. Then, as time gets closer, I match up outfits and then start putting stuff away again! I don't usually end up with too much extra, mostly a dress or skirt that never gets worn.
 
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