A holiday away sounds good, right? Just imagine, a chance to travel with the family and to explore, relax, and see loved ones we haven’t seen because of all the travel restrictions. Now may be the time. With itchy feet for travel once again, my family will be on our way in just a matter of weeks. But wait, we have to pack… The thought of it shrivels me into an immobile yet frenzied-on-the-inside mother.
My mind does the work first. I imagine going up to the attic and dusting off the cases we will use, handing them to each kid, and willing them (verbally and mentally) to make an effort to pack. That’s what we’re supposed to do, right? Let them pack?
However, the truth of the matter is, it will be left to me to make the necessary choices of what to bring and what to leave behind. It’s just easier and less time-consuming if I do it. Over the years I have dreaded it, but I have what I believe is a surefire way to avoid bringing unnecessary items and only packing essentials. Here are my 6 simple tips on how to pack for a family vacation:
6 Simple Tips for Packing Efficiently
1. Use the 5-4-3-2-1 packing rule.
Coco Chanel is known to have said, “Before you leave the house, look in the mirror and take one thing off.” I use this idea for packing, too. Try this 5-4-3-2-1 rule if you are traveling for a week:
- 5 sets of socks and underwear
- 4 tops
- 3 bottoms
- 2 pairs of shoes
- 1 hat (if absolutely necessary)
If you are going for longer (as I am), and you have a washing machine and dryer on hand (as we will), you can travel with less. Stop shaking your head. Yes, you can!
Wash everything every other day and re-wear clothes. It’s that simple. You’ll be patting yourself on the back for being so incredibly efficient. And as a bonus, you’ll have valuable real estate left in your suitcase for those inevitable purchases you make on your trip.
2. Roll, bundle, fill.
If you must bring a lot of clothes, make sure that you pack efficiently. Boots can be filled with t-shirts and underwear!
- Roll your clothes. This helps to minimize wrinkles and maximize space in your suitcase.
- Use packing cubes. These smaller bags help keep your clothes compact and your outfits ordered. You can find these cubes at the Home Depot, Target, Walmart, & Bed Bath & Beyond.
- Try this bundle technique. Also, if you wrap each article of clothing around a central core, with underwear, etc. at the center, and larger clothing, like jackets and pants, as the outer layer.
3. Take a backpack on board.
If you’re checking your suitcase, I would also recommend that you take a backpack on the plane for water, snacks, and one change of clothing, complete with a separate bag of toiletries. You never know when you will need them. Packing essential toiletries, glasses cases, inhalers, extra contact lenses (and prescriptions for all of these too), will ease your mind if/ when everything is lost in flight. Put toiletries in easy-to-open, travel-sized containers and double-bag with Ziplocks. TSA inspects these kinds of things, so keep them on top or within easy reach. You’ll likely have to put them in a bin before going through the scanner at the airport.
4. Wear comfortable clothes.
Tennis shoes, stretchy sweatpants, and a comfy sweater may not win the catwalk competition to the bathroom on the airplane, but ease of movement is imperative, especially in airports when planes and gates can change at a moment’s notice. You can be back to your fabulous self once you land and change into something less comfortable.
5. Plan your outfits.
Depending on where you are going, dress accordingly. That dress or jacket you thought was so chic may not exactly suit the weather you’ll face after you disembark from the plane. It may seem obvious, but winter weather requires sweaters, coats, hats etc., not sundresses and shorts—although I have one kid who wears shorts all year round and swears that his legs do not feel the cold. As a mother, pick your battles (clothes should not be one of them). When packing for myself—and the kids when they were younger—I like to keep it neutral. Back to Coco Chanel: “The best color in the world is the one that looks good on you.” Color-wise, make sure everything you bring can mix and match up on different days. This avoids the “omg, I’ve nothing to wear” scenario and makes for a much more pleasant vacation.
6. Each kid should pack their own backpack with the things they cannot breathe without: earbuds, phones, stuffed animal, blankets, etc.
Packing for a family vacation can be daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. With a few simple tricks and with a little more thought put into it, your suitcase packing for the family will be a trip.
For even more on packing strategies, check out “The Right Way to Pack for Travel.”
