How many of us open up our suitcase on the bed in preparation for a weekend away or a holiday overseas, stare at the wardrobe and then put the kettle on because it’s all too hard?

The fact is that many people really find packing a very stressful experience.  They will no doubt pack at the last minute, pack too much, forget plenty and be struggling to zip up the case. Sound familiar?  Try these simple strategies to ease some of the stress and streamline the process.

Packing for the little ones

Those of you with children know that they are undoubtedly the hardest family members to pack for – whether it be for a night or a month they usually all need the basics. Pack for them first and then concentrate on yourself last so you have a clear mind.

Ask you child/ren to pick one favourite book, one favourite friend (usually for sleep and travel) and their favourite piece of clothing. Giving them some input will give them the sense that they too have packed, and they have made some choices.

Remember the essentials: nappies or undies, socks, singlets, swimmers and pyjamas. Next – tops (short and long) bottoms, a warm knit, one go anywhere jacket, two pairs of shoes and some sort of activity to keep them occupied whilst travelling. I find stickers and colouring the best and the lightest to carry.

It’s okay to pack extra underwear and tops as these tend to get dirty easily, but avoid doubling up on outer layers, as children will usually wear them only out of necessity.

Give your child their own bag. There are some fabulous mini suitcases on the market and this will make sorting out what’s what when you get to the other end so much easier. Children love to pull along their own bag and, if it all gets too much for them, the bags are small enough to place on top of yours!!.

Getting organised

The secret to packing well is preparation, just as it is for shopping. I don’t mean making lists and ticking them off; but have a methodical way to address it…leaving it to the last minute is not a great idea!

The secret to my packing success are packing cells and I buy them from Kathmandu.  They are available in different sizes and colours and are also a great way to pack dress shoes.  These clear cells are ideal for makeup and jewellery.

Your luggage will consist only of these cells and each will contain one type of item,  for example: underwear, tops, bottoms, shoes, dresses etc. The way to pack the clothing into the cells is to roll everything. This will reduce the need for ironing and make finding items much easier.

What to pack

Break your holiday down into events. Do you have a wedding to attend? Friends to visit? Did you win tickets to Justin Bieber? Whatever the case, pack THAT outfit first and the rest around it.

Next, do your underwear. Make sure you have one light coloured bra, and one dark coloured, same with underwear. Nylon lazer cut styles with a scalloped edge are easily washed and dried and won’t give you the dreaded VPL (visible panty line)! The best and cheapest ones are in Target.

Lay the clothes on your bed and be ruthless in your judgement. Remember, bottoms will be worn more than once. Only pack one jacket, one or two cardigans, one scarf, two pairs of shoes (three if you need more for a special occasion) one or two belts, and one or two dresses.

Ask yourself: Can all the pieces can be coordinated with each other to form a capsule wardrobe? Can you walk all day in those shoes? Do you have a casual pair and a pair for evening?

Last of all, place few pieces of jewellery around the clothes and stand back. Your eye will tell you if all your choices are harmonious. Cull any pieces that are excessive, keeping in mind most of us indulge in a purchase or two whilst away. Roll your items neatly into your packing cells and Voila!

Now this final piece of advice was given by my mother and I live by it. Once you have decided what you are taking, take out the complete outfit you are travelling in and lay it to the side. This will make it easier in the morning for that ‘early flight’ and ensures one less decision having to be made. Do the same for your little ones.

Toiletries

You don’t have to take too much and these are often quite heavy. Purchase sun creams, shampoos etc whilst away or use the ones at the hotel.

Essentials are deodorant, face cream, night cream, hairbrush, hair product, makeup brush kit, makeup and makeup remover. Many manufacturers now offer travel or sample size kits – these can be a fantastic way to keep your favourite products with you without lugging a massive toiletries bag.

A dirty laundry bag is also a must.

Don’t forget

Chargers for your mobile, computer, all necessary phone numbers stored in your phone, itinerary for flights, accommodation and hire car in hard copy, passports etc. I store these in a travel wallet from Kikki K and will keep receipts in there for the reconciliation of bank statements later.

If on a long trip, a travel journal is a great way to record your experiences, places of interest and hotels visited. You can also write phone numbers and any other important information in the back for reference and in case the batteries run low on your phone.

The week before departure

The week before travel have appointments in place for waxing, hair and any other treatments that make you feel your best on your holiday.

Bon voyage!