if you consider yourself a really good packer, this question is for you

[ProudGrandma]

I am a HORRIBLE packer....I am, what I call a "what if" packer. I pack for a trip with all of the "what ifs" in mind and then I pack WAY too much. So, if you are just the opposite of me, tell me what specifically what you would pack for this trip: (oh, I am speaking clothing for me, and my 3 kids...ages 7, 9 and 11....dh packs himself....he does a better job than I do). The trip is for 2 weeks at Christmas time...at both my parents and in-laws. There will be a Sunday, so we will attend church. Otherwise, all play. Laundry at both places. The two places are Davenport, IA and Saginaw, MI....so it will be cold. Please help me pack lightly. THANKS!!!! Oh, my 7 year old is a hotty sometimes...but other times he likes to dress more warmly...my 11 year old is ALWAYS cold...needs lots of layers....my 9 year old...the only "normal temp" kid in the bunch.

[kalanamak]

BTW, up in my neck of the woods, a "hotty" is a hot chick (girl).

 

I sit and imagine my day. What do I do? I get up and comb hair ... okay, a comb.

 

Then after I've gone through my day and have all my every-day use items, I think through the vacation: I'll wear A, B, and C, then D, and then I'll be near a washer and will wash and wear again. I have one extra outfit and a fancier one, if there is any chance it will be needed.

I pack a small first aide kit with 2 ASA, 2 lomotils, etc. Basically, a first dose or first bandage of any simple problem. I'm not going to outer Mongolia, and if we need a box of bandaids, I can buy one. Ditto diarrhea meds.

[J-rap]

Three pairs of pants (wear one), five shirts (two of them "nice"), two sweaters (one of them "nice," and the other can be like a sweatshirt), five underpants and five pairs of socks, one pair of casual shoes (play shoes -- like tennis shoes) and one pair of nice shoes, one church outfit (including nylons or tights), pajamas, a jacket, gloves and a hat. :)

[J-rap]

And maybe long underwear and snow boots. Then you're prepared for everything! ;)

[rwjx2khsmj]

For each person: 5 pr. underwear, 5 pr. socks, 3 bottoms, 5 tops, one church outfit, play shoes, snow shoes, dress shoes, pajamas

coat, hat, gloves

travel outfit that gets washed and worn while driving - for my family that's a pair of sweat/yoga pants, t-shirt and hoodie

[Parker Martin]

Four outfits per person.

One pullover per person.

Four pairs of socks per person.

One pair of tennis shoes per person.

One nicer pair of shoes for me.

One nicer outfit per person.

Fives pairs of underwear per person.

One set coat, hat, and gloves per person if cold weather is expected.

One brush.

 

Everything below goes in large Ziploc bags. That way if something breaks open, everything in the packed bag isn't spoiled.

One toothbrush per person.

One tube toothpaste.

One deodorant per person old enough to use it.

One bottle shampoo. (Regular size can be bought at location.)

One bottle conditioner. (Regular size can be bought at location.)

One razor.

Any daily use hair or makeup products.

Ziploc of any vitamins anyone takes.

 

One laundry basket full of toys. Focus on toys with long play value: crayons/markers, blocks, legos, Magnadoodle, books, puzzles etc.

 

A white noise machine.

Chargers for cell phones and other personal electronics.

Any DVDs we might want to watch with family.

 

I think that's it.

 

ETA: Oh yeah, face wash and moisturizer. Also, one small bottle sunblock and one small bottle regular lotion.

[ProudGrandma]

thank you for the help....I feel like I try to do the above...but some how it just seems like when we are unpacking at someone's home, we look like we must be staying for a month...not a week....it just seems like we have SO much stuff...because besides clothes, we each have our pillows, air matresses for the kids to sleep on, they each have big blankets they like to sleep with too. Well, maybe we aren't so weird. I don't know. thanks.

[justasque]

I make packing lists on my computer, and add a new page to the document for each trip. In this way, I'm not starting from scratch each time.

 

I also keep a small toiletries bag for each person, with sample-sized shampoo, etc. That way it's to some extent grab-and-go, and we don't have to do that last-minute packing of the toothbrush.

 

Choose your clothes so they are mix-and-match. I usually pack an outfit for each day, plus one extra. Keep it simple.

 

If you're bringing bedding, it's going to be more stuff no matter how long you'll be staying.