The Ultimate List for Travel Packing!

First, the fun stuff – tongue in cheek responses to the ’22 Easy Tricks to Make Packing So Much Better’ which I read and thought was so silly! After that – a REAL list that can be called the Ultimate Travel Packing List.

Packing seems to be on everyone’s mind these days. Packing, planning, daydreaming about a trip can be really fun parts of the adventure, but sometimes the advice seems pretty funny to me….like this article I just saw on pinterest. My comments in red.

22 Easy Tricks To Make Packing So Much Better

All you want to do is travel from Point A to Point B; don’t let getting all your stuff together be the thing that holds you back.

By Alanna Okun

1. Store shoes in a shower cap.

 Seriously. A shower cap? I didn’t even know those hideous things were still made. Do you have extra shower caps for all your shoes? How about a grocery store bag. Am I the only one with 8,000 of those in the pantry?

2. Keep pairs of earrings together with a button.

Hmm….interesting enough. Do you have extra buttons for this?

3. Invest in a Napper.

OK, what is this even….? Ummm…a hoodie? This ‘napper’….different from a hoodie in what way?? You need this because?? I’m going to google this and get back to you!

4. And a portable outlet splitter.

OK, finally, some advice that makes sense. We use these a lot on our trips because we have a lot of things that need a plug between the 4 of us!

5. And a Knee-Defender

HAHAHAHAHA – I have no words for this. People in front of you won’t be able to recline with this handy (and kind of anti-social) gadget. I understand you have long legs. I understand that the person in front of you ends up in your lap if they recline. But, a device to prevent that is just asking for trouble. Can’t we just squeeze together nicely for a few hours?

It even comes with a ‘knee defender courtesy card’ that explains the device to the person in front of you! How kind! I’m sure that this car will prevent any hard feelings!! (eye roll)

6. And a vacuum-packing suitcase. 

HAHA! OK – have you ever taken anything out of a vacuum packed bag? You will look homeless you’ll be so wrinkled. I guess it is easier than just putting your things in a vacuum sealed baggy and into a regular suitcase?

yankodesign.com

7. If you don’t want to spring for a new suitcase, find out how to pack the one you have efficiently.

Rocket science!!  rolling eyes… So glad this is on the list. I would never have thought of this tip!

 

8. Roll up your clothes in bundles and secure them with elastics.

Clever… Do you have this many rubber bands? I don’t, but I won’t judge because I have 8,000 grocery store bags in the pantry! They’ll be wrinkle-free and you’ll be sure to have enough underwear for the length of your stay.

9. Use empty pill bottles to store small amounts of hair products and lotions.

Clever use for extra pill bottles.

10. Pill bottles can also hold Q-tips.

Well, duh. Zip-loc baggies work beautifully, too AND weigh less.  I buy them in every size before a trip! Or pretty much any other small toiletry you’d want to keep in one place (heyyy bobby pins). Who uses bobby pins so often that you have to take them on a trip? Do you? 

maddeeshawbeautyblog.blogspot.com

11. Plastic wrap over the opening of toiletries helps prevent leaking.

Doesn’t work. Period. Neither does putting them in a Ziploc baggie (No, I don’t own stock, but maybe I should!) because when you get there you just have a Ziploc baggie full of shampoo. I love how this tip is from a study abroad program. If you are going to be in a country long enough to study…then use your new language skills and go to the store to buy shampoo!

selectstudyabroad.com

12. Keep your shirt collars neat and your belts from uncoiling in one fell swoop.

Clever!!  I would counter this tip with a) pack wrinkle free travel stuff and b) you only need the belt you are wearing, but this still gets extra credit for being clever!

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13. Ensure your necklaces are tangle-free by threading them through straws.

This looks like it works…but how many necklaces do you need for your trip? AND straws are now the ‘worst environmental disaster since the beginning of time’ so I’m not sure we should use them for this purpose either. 

prettymethis.com

14. Pack your flatiron, even if it’s still warm, in a potholder.

Cute potholder. Wear a hat! Leave the flatiron at home. But if you must be sure it can handle the electrical current in your new destination and bring an adapter so the plug will fit in the socket.

yourcreativejuices.blogspot.com

15. Binder clips will keep your razor heads secure.

Interesting….this even looks like a disposable razor which comes with it’s only a little plastic hat, which now that I look closer this razor appears to be wearing….not sure I ‘get’ this tip. Why don’t you just use the razer’s plastic cap?

pinterest.com

16. Use a closet storage shelf to keep folded items neat.

HAHAHAHA…..this person packed the entire closet! At least they left the kitchen sink at home….unless that is getting pulled out next! This reminds me of those cars at the circus….with 27 clowns inside!

17. Don’t forget a snack or you’ll be wicked cranky.

A snack, yes! Packed like this OCD person…um……..  no. Snacks yes, but again Ziploc baggies that you can toss. You’ll be dragging around this container for your entire trip! Store food in a clean art-supply box for maximum variety. (Plus it’ll be way cheaper [and probably more delicious] than anything you can buy in transit.) Anything you bring from home, that you can get past Airport Security, will no doubt be cheaper than what you can buy. Airport food isn’t cheap!

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18. Pool floaties will keep your wine bottles intact.

Clever, if you travel with two bottles of wine or one bottle of wine. Even though I travel with the kiddos…I never travel with wine. Maybe this person knows something I don’t,  😉   but I like to check out the wine at my destination. Once we bought wine in Canada that couldn’t be shipped and these would have come in handy. What? You don’t travel with two bottles of wine in your suitcase? AMATEUR!

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19. On that note: you can pack mini bottles of booze in your carry-on.  

This would be cheaper for nervous fliers who like to have a drink on the plane.

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20. And remember, it’s always easier when you have a friend help.

We have this kind of help at our house, too! The dogs like to get into the suitcase and the puppy likes to take something out and then run away!

a ‘REAL’ Ultimate Travel Packing List

1 – Pack Light

Rule number one when it comes to the true ultimate travel packing list is to pack light. Whenever you think about bringing an item ask yourself if you can live without it. The less you bring, the better.

You can shop when you get there if you run out of a toiletry so don’t be afraid to pack the small travel sized items. If you run out then go buy some more. Stores and pharmacies can be a fun way to explore!

2 – Electronics

Bring electronics and chargers – whatever makes your life easier! Phone? Ipad? Bring it!

3 – Converters and Adapters

A converter changes the electricity from the current in the country to the current that the appliance can accept. An adapter changes the shape of the prongs on your electrical plug to match the holes in the electrical outlet on the wall.

4 – White Noise Machine

A white noise machine helps you sleep anywhere by drowning out the background noise that might otherwise disrupt your sleep.5 – Good shoes!

Keep those tootsies happy with really good shoes and good socks. Keep your feet happy while walking so much on your vacation.

A simple Mary Jane can go anywhere! A simple, classic design in a yummy color! These would be fabulous with jeans, wouldn’t they? 

6 – Painter’s Tape

Yes, painter’s tape is something I never, ever travel without because this is the duct tape of travel! Clothes the drapes with it to keep that nasty sliver of sun from waking you in the morning for example. I have lots of reasons to add painter’s tape to your suitcase!

7 – The BEST toy for the kids.

The best toy to pack for your kids will have these characteristics:

It can be used in more than one way.

It can still be used if you lose a piece.

It is quiet.

It doesn’t require batteries or charging.

More REAL travel tips to come. Check out the ‘packing’ section of this blog.

Happy travels!

Natalie, The Educational Tourist