Easier Vacation Packing

Summer is the season when lots of people strike out with the purpose of enjoying some time in new surroundings. Getting away is like minty lemonade for the soul. It refreshes you, helps you come home with new eyes. When I've been away, I come back with lovely memories yes, but also a new appreciation for the conveniences and friends that have been here all along. Maybe it's because I grew up a bit of a wanderer, but if I don't take a road trip from time to time, I get an itch. There's nothing I like better than driving cross country with Brian reading to me or singing with the radio. 

On the cusp of an epic road trip, I faced again the task of packing and today, I want to share the only secret I've found for taking some stress out. I have a list of everything we could want to pack in a Word document. Each time a trip approaches, I print it out, highlighting items as I pack them. If you've never done this, it takes some of the thinking and remembering out of an overwhelming task, which appeals to me greatly. The hardest part is writing out outfits that suit the weather expected. I usually write the days we'll be there and list the pieces involved in that outfit next to it. That way, if we have an idea what we are doing each day, I can chose something I'll enjoy wearing for that activity. If I were you, I'd just copy and paste the text of my list into whatever word processor you prefer and edit until it suits your needs. I have separate lists for myself and the kids. 

 KID PACKING

 Sleeping bag

Pillow

Blanket

Stuffed animal

Toothbrush

Toothpaste

Perscriptions

Vitamins

Bible story book

Sunscreen

Pajamas

Undies

Socks

Swimsuit

Goggles

Shoes

Books

CDs

DVDs

Toys or games

Headphones/y-jac

Flushable wipes

Barrettes

Brush

pick/comb

Curling Iron

Money & wallet or purse

Here is my list. I organize it by bags it gets carried in. I like to do a check of all the bags to be sure they get out of the house. This may seem like overkill, but I once got flustered by cats running through my house with paint on their feet and completely forgot my purse. Not good. Each bag is separate except my bathroom bag which goes into my suitcase. 

Shoe candidates

Handbag

Cell phone                         

Camera

Memory card

Charger

Prescriptions

glasses

Gum

Sunglasses

Car bag

Laptop                                 

Water bottle

Coffee cup

Puffs

Book/magazines

CDs

Leo knows what this means...

Pillow

Suitcase

Outfits 

Lotion                                  

Facial cleanser

Hair product

Tooth brush                      

Hair dryer

Hair straightener

Bible & highlighters

Planner

Plastic bags for dirty clothes

Pajamas

Undies

Bras

Socks

Work-out clothes

Swimsuit/coverup

These can be found at Wal-mart for $17!!!

Mirror

Jewelry

Bathroom bag

Brush/comb                      

Pick

Deodorant

Shampoo                                                            

Body wash

Toothpaste

Floss

Qtips

chapstick

Eye drops

Razor                    

Make-up/nail polish

Tweezers/Clippers

Perfume

Barrettes, bobby pins, holding clips

Facial lotion

The first ten items under Bathroom Bag, I keep stocked in it, so I usually don't have to pack them, but want to double-check that they're there and not almost gone. Hope this helps you get your trip off to a happier start and you come home ready to live bigger and deeper than ever before.

P.S. I am a flawed minimalist in that I don't pack light. I'd like to, but I don't. I attribute it to the fact that I'm somewhat high-maintenance. Trips are special occasions and part of the fun is everyone looking cute. There I said it. This doesn't mean we can't have fun if someone's hair is crazy, but I definitely put some effort into it. It's my energy to spend right? Right. As long as once we're all dressed, I soak in the cute people I love so much. Anyway, the point of this, was to direct those of you who are interested in lighter packing to my friend Trina, who writes a very helpful blog called Beginner Beans. She wrote about minimalist packing for a family of four here. It's pretty amazing, as is the rest of her blog.