We know that packing for a holiday can be stressful, especially when you end up bringing too many items. In fact, a study reported by the Daily Mail stated that between 2013-2018, 46 million travellers have been charged an excess fee for their overweight baggage. Inspired by the world’s number one organising expert, Marie Kondo, we’ve compiled a list of holiday packing tips to help streamline your packing process. By following Kondo’s simple philosophy you’ll be able to pack like a pro, whether you’re hitting the beach in the Caribbean or wrapping up for an Iceland adventure.
Pack Items that Spark Joy
Before packing for a holiday, lay out everything you plan on taking with you. Kondo recommends using the ‘spark joy’ technique. When choosing items, take a moment to hold onto them and see if they spark joy. If they do, pack it, if they don’t’, put it back. According to Kondo, “This is not only the simplest but also the most accurate yardstick by which to judge.”
Create an Essentials List on your Phone
Have you ever travelled abroad and realised that you had forgotten something basic like a toothbrush or even some socks? Don’t worry; it happens to the best of us. To avoid this, create an essentials list on your phone. As you go about your day, keep note of all the items you use. List them down so by the time you start packing you can keep track of everything you will need to pack for your holiday.
Fold Clothes Like a Packing Pro
If you’re looking for space-saving tips for packing your suitcase, the one thing you’ll need to master is how to fold your clothes. Marie Kondo recommends folding your clothing into vertical shapes to help save space. For clothing made from a thinner material, you can roll up the item to avoid creasing. According to Nicole, a flight attendant featured in Conde Nast Traveller US’ travel guide, make sure you pack your heavy items, like shoes and toiletries, at the bottom of your suitcase, i.e. close to the wheels. She claims, “It’s easier to roll a bag through long airport hallways when the weight is down there.”
Use Pouches and Packing Cubes
Keep your belongings organised by investing in some packing cubes and pouches. For larger suitcases, this will help keep loose items in one place and will be easier to locate when you unpack at your destination. Kenwood Travel recommends using garment cases from Muji (£6.95-£11.95). The garment cases come in three different sizes (small, medium and large) so you choose which ones will fit in your own suitcase. When not in use, the garment cases come with its own pouch so you can fold them and store them away easily. For your hand-carry bag, be sure to use at least two pouches. One for essential items (i.e. passport, boarding ticket, phone etc.), and one for loose wires, like phone and laptop chargers to avoid tangling.
Use Travel Bottles for Liquids
When it comes to toiletries, you can save up plenty of room by transferring your large products into small travel bottles. By reducing the amount of product you bring, not only will you save space, but this will also help to reduce your luggage weight. If you’re planning on packing liquids in your hand carry, make sure each product doesn’t exceed the 100ml limit and will fit into a small clear bag (15.24cmx22.86cm). It may be worth packing your own transparent zip-lock bag before going to the airport to ensure that you are bringing the right amount.
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.