Let's Talk Packing!

​Packing is one thing all travelers have in common, and it is probably the one thing everyone dreads (if not actually hate).  I know some people who are still packing minutes before the leave.  Others are packed days (if not weeks) in advance.  So, how do I pack?

​When the kids were younger (aka smaller) I packed each day’s outfit in a large sized plastic zip bag.  I would label each day and made sure it included socks, underwear, outfit, hair thingys, whatever.
Now that they are teens, well they pack their own stuff but I do confess to going behind them to make sure they haven’t forgotten anything vital! For my own compulsive self I have discovered packing cubes!  Greatest. Invention. Ever!!

​Everything is organized at a glance- nothing needs to be refolded, no extra wrinkling…I tell you they are marvelous!
If you need to change your luggage around it takes all of a minute to completely remove everything and repack it in new luggage.  Unpacking?  Two minutes tops - and that’s including hanging my dresses up! I’m unpacked and ready to go exploring!
In the mornings, getting dressed is especially easy (even when everyone else is asleep!)  All underwear is in one cube, all tops are in another, etc.  Truly a grab n go!
There are tons of different packing cubes available.  Different colors and sizes.  Sometimes I organize everyone’s stuff in different colors, and of course the teens object!  But until they are the ones paying for the trip, no complaining!
We love using them as toiletry bags.  After use, put everything back in the bag, zip it and they stack on top of each other (either on the sink or under the sink) No chance of anything coming up missing.  Taking a cruise? They take care of the absolute worst thing about cruising…no storage!  Packing cubes help immensely!  I can’t imagine a cruise without my cubes!

​Another thing I love – pill bottles!  Yup, those nifty little pill bottles. They really come in handy for those cords that tangle, especially those ear buds! And if you carry a battery charger pack with you in the parks – don’t forget your charging cords!  These all fit nicely in a pill bottle.  No tangles-no mess-and when you go through screening Easy Peasy!

Pill Bottles make easy storage containers for cords. JMorris Travel LLC

​And, let’s talk about those bag check points; You know how all those bags have to go through manually screenings?  Group like things together and put them in those clear plastic zipper bags. First Aid, charging cords; meds; etc. get their own plastic bag.  It takes 2 seconds to take them out so the screeners get a good look at your bag, then another few seconds to put them back in and go!  Again, nothing gets lost and no one else touches your ‘stuff’!

OK, I’ve given you a couple of my packing tips. How about you? Got any to share?