I make a packing list days before every trip I take. Writing things down a few days early allows me to remember the random items I may have forgotten on the first pass. It also reminds me to pack the last minute items (such as toothbrushes, hair brushes, etc.) that I have to use the day I leave for vacation. Use my packing list below and don’t forget to cross items off as they go in your bag!
Backpack/Large Purse
- Book
- Chargers
- Passport or License
- Wallet
- Medicine/Prescriptions
- Tissues
- Lotion
- Water
- Activity book i.e. crossword puzzles, Sudoku
- Snack
- Headphones
- iPad or other device
- One pair of underwear, one shirt, bathing suit (if you check luggage this is helpful to know you have backups if your luggage gets lost).
- House keys
- Sunglasses
- Contacts (if you wear them)
Suitcase
- Underwear (count out the number of days you are away and add 3 more pairs just to be safe)
- Sleep shirt/shorts/pants
- Socks
- Shoes – flats, sneakers, boots, etc.
- Toiletries – toothbrush, mouth guard, toothpaste, floss
- Hair necessities – hair brush, elastic bands, blow dryer, hair straightener, styling gel/mousse/cream
- Pants (typically only need 2-3 pairs depending on the type of trip you are taking)
- Lounge pants
- Sweatshirt or Sweater
- Shirts
- Makeup (if you wear it)
- Hat
- Accessories (scarves, gloves, winter hat, jewelry)
- Bathing suit for warm weather getaways
- Plastic bags (for dirty clothes or wet clothes)
- Deodorant
- Shaving tools
Packing tips:
- Place shoes at the bottom of your suitcase as they are heaviest
- Keep sweaters near the top so you can grab one quickly if you are cold
- Roll clothes
- Don’t pack valuable jewelry or anything you would not want to lose.
- Pack neutral colored clothing that can be layered and worn numerous times with different sweaters or pants.
- If you are carrying on, get rid of what you think you could buy cheaply like sun tan lotion. Sometimes buying a $10 bottle of sun tan lotion is worth not paying for checking luggage.
