Let’s be honest, packing for the holidays is just one of the most dreadful things about traveling! I am always afraid of leaving something behind that I need!
I am such a list maker!! It saves me and my brain from stressing and, of course, forgetting!!
I just have the list on my fridge and I can check it off and add on as I go!
So, the first thing I do is list all the important things that I think I could possibly forget! I actually never pack until the day before I leave because most of the items I am taking are everyday things I use.. It allows me to get all of the laundry clean before I start as well!!
Okay, so we will start with me & how I pack… I do bathroom items last.. clothes first.
For this last trip (5 days) I grabbed the essentials… It was warmer weather so I didn’t really need bulky winter clothing.
I always struggle with dressing my daughter, I am much more indecisive on what to put on her than myself. I don’t have set outfits I always use, so I like to plan out the outfits in advance when I travel. Then I know I have all the pieces I need.. plus it saves time when I get there!! Last time we went on a mini weekend trip and I didn’t do this.. I got there missing a boot and not enough pieces to make outfits!
First, I make sure she has all of her clean clothes in her closet
(It makes it way easier to go through and find things!)
Second, I grab my cell phone and take quick pictures of the pieces for the outfits.. This is the most important part along with making a list! I love the idea of having all of the outfits on my cell phone because I know I will always have it on me & it’s super easy to whip it out and use!
We were gone 5 days so I made sure to have 5 outfits, pjs & play clothes..
With girls it’s a little bit more complicated because I have to have bows to match everything.. maybe that’s just me?! (I am a very matchy match kinda person)
If I’m there on a Sunday. I have to also remember to grab Sunday clothes…
and of course pjs.
I only grabbed 3 sets of pjs because I knew my mom had 2 sets at her house that she had bought.
Knowing what is at your destination helps! For example, I did not bring a blow dryer on this trip because I knew my mom had one I could use, so it saved lbs on my bag at the airport. This left me more room to shop or bring home items while I was there!! Most airlines have a 50lb bag limit. I used 40 lbs for me & my daughter on this trip.
Don’t forget diapers, wipes, jackets, toys, food, bottles, sippy cups, etc… It changes for who you are traveling with, so this is just a few ideas to get you started!!
Thanks for reading! I hope these tips were helpful during your holiday, or whenever, travels!! Do you have any special travel tips?!
Oh by the way, I’m Linsdey. I’m new here. Come drop by and say hello to me over at Pillow Thought! 🙂
Kate says
I’m loving the phone picture idea. Then I can make sure I have it all when I leave to come home too! Why didn’t I think of this?
Tami says
I made up a generic packing list that I keep on my computer. When it comes time for a trip, I pull it up, tweak it, and print it out! Then I add numbers next to the items (like 5 shirts etc.) I have a child with special needs who is fed via G-tube, and it’s helpful to have all of his supplies listed so I don’t have to remember each time! Also, I can give my 9 year old his portion (it’s divided by person) and he can pack himself and check it off the list-then I know he has everything he needs. This has been a huge time saver and stress reliever!
Alison says
Ummm…I want that pen on the wall! SO organized! Welcome Lindsey:)
Lindsey Marlor says
Thanks Alison! I wish I could find another one of those pens too!! I bought it three years ago and sadly I have no idea where!
Heather Lynne says
Lindsey, I have that pen in green! Well, I did… my daughter broke it a few days ago 🙁
Lindsey Marlor says
ahh thats too funny where did you find yours? if you even remember?
Gina says
I have that pen too – its pink as well – got mine from Hallmark a few years ago =)
Welcome!
Janice says
I want you to shop for me and my baby girl! Cute clothes! You and I pack almost identical! Glad to know I’m doing something right. 🙂
Lindsey Marlor says
Thanks Janice, great minds think alike 🙂
michelle says
So organized! I have boys so don’t have all the accessories. I put everything in the bag in the order it needs to come out-so pajamas, underwear, outfit, pajamas, etc…It’s super helpful, especially if my husband is going to be helping the kids get dressed while we’re there!
Lindsey Marlor says
haha that is such a good idea!
HannahBee says
Cool idea!
Angela LeHew says
I have to know where you shop for your daughter. I have a baby girl due in the next month and I’m in love with those outfits (not to mention the matching hair accessories). So adorablly stylish without being too grown up. Thanks for the tips!
Lindsey Marlor says
I have been loving Old Navy right now! I always hit up.. Old Navy, Gap, Childrens Place, & some of those items were from Babies R’ Us. The hair accesories my sister makes 90% of them she has an etsy site but does not have most of the stuff she makes on the shop.. but she will do custom orders so if you saw something you like you could just send her the image or something you had in mind! http://www.etsy.com/shop/byElleBowtique
Good luck with the baby girl!! 🙂
Angela says
Thanks! I’m off to shop today. Fingers crossed I can find such cute outfits. Then I will definitely check out your talented sister. Merry Christmas!
Beth Ann says
I typically pack 3 outfits and 2 pair pj’s no matter how long of the trip and just wash a load of laundry every night. With 5 people to pack for, less is easier!
ambrea says
Great ideas! Something that has worked for me (since I have 3 kids) is to pack everything each child will need for a day in a gallon size ziplock bag. So I put the clothes for the day, underwear/diaper, socks, pjs, pullups/diaper for night all in one bag (whatever I know they will need). I roll the clothes so it all fits (my oldest is 5 and starting to have a harder time fitting all of his) and squeeze out the air you will be surprised how much you can pack that way. When we head out in the a.m. for sight seeing or whatever I grab the ziplocks with the pjs for that night and put them in the car that way I can have the kids already in jammies and can throw them straight into bed when we get back. When we get home from the trip I leave all the ziplocks in our suitcases to reuse. Thank you FLY Lady for this little tip…been a lifesaver for me! 🙂
Jennifer says
Three pairs of pjs? I have 4 kids (6,3,1 and 3mo) we’re taking a trip soon – do they really need that many?
Ashley Young says
As a child, my mother had me wear my pajamas 2-3 times before washing them. You’re just sleeping in them, so they don’t get dirty very fast.
Lindsey Marlor says
thats a god idea! Take what is comfortable for you I only have one kid.. so I do what I think works with her.. MY thought might change with the more kids I have 🙂
Sue says
I am often NOT a totally organized person, but when I am I will put my daughter’s outfits into ziploc bags – pants, shirt and socks (you could probably fit a bow in as well – my daughter is just now finally getting hair, so I haven’t been in bow mode yet) fit in a ziploc pretty easily and you could even label them with the day/time if you have a schedule you know in advance. I wish I could pack this way sometimes – just pull out my outfit for the day in a bag. It also makes it nice to put any dirty/messy clothes in the ziplocs for traveling home.
–Sue
Lindsey Marlor says
That is such a smart idea!! hah i think i would lose my mind if i did this for me.. it would take me a million years to decide on 7 days of attire for me.. i change my mind too much!
Dana says
An idea I got from my sister was to pack all those matched outfits in ziploc bags! Then you just grab a ziploc bag outta the suitcase when it’s time to dress the little one! I’m SO using that idea for my trip this Christmas!
Lindsey Marlor says
that is such a smart idea! I will have to try that when we travel for Christmas!!
vikki says
Really great tips.
Kristen says
I second all the comments about organizing outfits by the day into zip lock bags. I also like to take a pillowcase that I can use for dirty clothes so I’m not constantly trying to keep the clean clothes separated from the dirty clothes in my suitcase while on the trip. As far as actually traveling, I love trunki suitcases (awesome entertainment for the kiddos while waiting in the airport) and also the GoGo Babyz Kidz Travelmate. If your baby eats baby food, I love the Boon squirts (you can google all these products or look on Amazon). We have one toddler and travel often – all of these have been WELL worth the investment for us!
Lissa says
I always (if possible and limited on space) don’t pack diapers and wipes and instead just buy them when we get to where we are going. I of course pack some in the carry on for travel diaper changes. But we are going to Idaho/Utah (from KS) for a 10 day trip over Christmas and that is just an entire suitcase of diapers! So we will just buy some when we get there and leave the extra (if any) at Grammy’s house for other grand kids as back up.
And my Mom would always bring an extra plastic bag for dirty clothes so they aren’t mixed with the clean ones or strewn all over your room….ugh! I also wrap my shoes in plastic bags so they don’t get my clothes dirty. But I’m kind of a clean freak like that:) And I SO have your matchy matchy problem. I have been working on being more daring and coordinating instead of matching…still not very brave!
Lindsey Marlor says
I totally do that with diapers & wipes! One time we got stranded over night flying & lexi had a lot of bathroom problems that day which led to me being out of diapers sooner than I’d hope and a 1 o’clock run to a gas station! It was kind of a whole nightmare trip! Now I try and pack a little more diapers a 2 day supply atleast.. which i never even know how much that will end up being..
Sommer says
I love the idea of taking pictures of the outfits! Never would have thought to do that. I am such a messy packer and need to be this organized. And I love the pen in the first picture, where did you get it?
Lindsey Marlor says
I wish I remembered but someone commented above and they found theirs at Hallmark.. not sure if they still have them!? But it’s worth looking into! I need a new one, my inks about out!
Sandy says
I am a list maker myself. After several years of making lists I decided to make a master list on my computer. I have a boys packing list, a girls packing list a mom’s packing list and a babies/toddler packing list. I was able to give these lists to my children and they were able to pack themselves. They would gather everything that had an amount by it and lay it on the bed. Then I could go and look at what they picked and make changes if necessary. It saved me countless hours (I have 10 children). Another bonus was an older child that could read could help a younger child that couldn’t read. I separated the list into four categories. Clothing, Travel kit, miscellaneous and carry on.
This worked so well that I took the same concept and made a list for places that we went to often – Lake Powell, Beach house in Calif ect. I take the list with me and make notes as to what worked and what we could have used that we didn’t have. When it was time for a family trip I could just go over my notes from the previous trip.
Lindsey Marlor says
All I can say is props to you traveling with your 10 kids!! Love it! I think it is so important traveling and having vacations with the kids! Our family vacations growing up is one thing i will always remember!
Delia Galligan says
I also plan out outfits for my kids…I have a notebook that I keep them in. LIke some of the other posters I also pack each outfit (not pjs) in ziplock bags (size depending on the size of the kid). That way if there is a mess or a spill or an accident we have a place to put the dirty clothes. As for shoes (one poster mentioned packing shoes in plastic bags as well) I use plastic shower caps…I can fit two pairs of kid shoes in them and one pair of adult shoes.