Should I Pack That? Travel Tips for the Holidays
This article was originally published on December 10th, 2015.
This blog entry is written by Kayla Lackner, our Community Engagement Specialist. As an experienced and frequent traveler, Kayla offers some helpful packing tips for the holiday season.
The most daunting part of planning a vacation for me is deciding what to pack, then stuffing it all Tetris-style in a suitcase. This past summer, I traveled three weeks across Europe toting just one piece of luggage, and even had room for a few souvenirs. If you’re headed out of town this holiday season, here’s a few of my surefire ways to solve the inevitable ‘should I pack that?’ dilemma.
Before You Pack, Use These 3 Principles as Your Guide:
Dress in layers
Roll clothes instead of folding
Pack heavy shoes at the bottom of the suitcase
Specific Tips That Have Saved Me Space & Frustration:
Pack older pairs of socks nearing the end of their lives. I throw out old socks each night of my trip.
Invest in ‘Packing Cubes’. These mesh bags allow you to divide tops, pants, and pajamas. If I’m feeling really ambitious, I divide up daily outfits.
via Giphy
Leave all toiletries at the hotel. I don’t need to store a used tooth brush or half bottle of shampoo.
Many items can serve a dual purpose: pill boxes make great jewelry organizers while your make-up bag can hold electronics, accessories and plugs
Research the weather forecast to ensure you are packing appropriate wear. If you’re spending your holiday laying on the beach in Mexico you aren’t going to need to those bulky knee-high boots or rain coat (hopefully!)
Most importantly during winter travel: I pack a ‘chic’ coat because it will be in every picture.
Bottom Line?
A vacation get-away is about enjoying the ones you’re with and relaxing away from the daily grind. Remember, almost anything you forget can be bought at the nearest store.
