Packing: 8 Tips to prepare your luggage stress-free before you travel

Holidays: 8 Tips for stress-free packing

Lindsay POUI-DI

14 Aug 2014

updated the 6 October 2015 à 23:52

1/8
List your ‘real’ needs
Lay out everything you think you are going to take with you, then count the days spent travelling and at the destination. Visualize yourself from top to toe (underwear, socks and shoes, swimsuit and sarong, T-shirt, dress, skirt, jeans, fleece/jacket) by focusing on the planned activities (beach, hiking, sport, evenings, museums...). The same technique can be used with children to give them a sense of responsibility. Check the weather forecast for the place where you are going. It's better to take more tops than shorts, skirts... with colours that you can easily coordinate and take light-weight accessories to glamorize a basic look (belt, jewels, scarf...).
2/8
List your “Non clothes” items
Beach towels, linens if you need them in case you are renting, sunglasses, books, tablet, charger, tickets, rental agreement, passport, social-security card, anti-allergy prescription, bring an ultra lightweight nylon bag for dirty clothes, etc...

Make a list of the following items so you can use it each time you travel.
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Make sure your children’s favourite clothes are ready
Do your laundry a few days before the departure, even if you have to hide it in a basket, to avoid being approached 23 hours before the trip: "Haven't you washed my denim shorts?!"
4/8
Tidy up in a smart way
Fold pants, skirts and dresses, in the middle, and accommodate around them shoes "stuffed" with socks, jewels, pursees, charger... If you're traveling as a couple, by plane, mix your clothes in both suitcases, just to have essentials, in case of the loss or delay of one piece of luggage.

And plan to keep a purse with you with – keys, money, papers, mobile, medicine – and not in the luggage!
5/8
Replace XXL toiletries by smaller ones
It will be easier to pack them within the gaps of your luggage, and transfer the contents of your favourite products into mini-sprays and travel bottles.
6/8
Prepare a “survival kit” in your hand luggage before leaving
To avoid the stress – in case of excess – if you have to unpack your stuff at the check-in desk to give to those who are travelling with you or to risk paying a fine, which is a real money-making business for low-cost airline companies.
7/8
Weigh your luggage at home before leaving
To avoid the stress – again in case of excess – if you have have to unpack your stuff at the check-in desk to give to those who are travelling with you or to risk to paying a fine, which is a real money-making business for low-cost airline companies.
8/8
Travel in colour
... With accessories that help relaxing you like a cute sleeping mask to use on the plane. It is also useful to distiguish your luggage by putting a sticker on it which will help you in finding your suitcase on arrival among 300 others on the conveyer belt.

Yes, getting ready for a holiday is sometimes stressful! Check out our tips to make sure you stay calm and Zen throughout the process of packing.

It’s holiday time but it’s also time to pack your suitcases… which means a struggle to stay Zen without forgetting the essentials.

For the trip, wear a light jacket or a thicker one and your thick-soled wedges (pack your feather-weight flip-flops and sandals in your suitcase).

Adopt the folding technique for clothes “putting one item inside another” to gain some space. Forget the rolling technique, that won’t give you more space contrary to what we all believe.

Choose space-saving and multi-purpose products, such as a dry oil to spray on body, hair, face… Dig into your samples, offered during the year, or buy XS-sized products (make-up remover, lotion, shower gels and shampoos from 20 to 50 ml).

Remove packaging of all medicines and surround them with their medication leaflets with an elastic band.

Invest in a universal charger so as to not be overloaded by your high-tech stuff.

Check if the hotel has a hairdryer before taking yours, even if it’s small!

Want more tips? Go through our slideshow above and Bon Voyage!

Isabelle SOING

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