4 Packing Tips for a Weekend Getaway
Weekend trips are a great way to enjoy a few days away from the hustle and bustle of your everyday life. However, packing for these short-term getaways often proves to be a bit of a challenge. Whether you are flying to a wedding and don’t want to check luggage or driving up to a friend’s cottage with limited space in your vehicle, chances are you’ll need to pack light. Here are four tips for an efficient and stress-free packing experience:
- Make a packing list
Before you even unzip your suitcase, it’s important to make a packing list – and even more important to stick to it. Checking out the weather forecast for your destination will help you to determine what and what not to bring along – you don’t need a jacket taking up precious space when it’s going to be 25 degrees and sunny all weekend long. Make a list of all the essentials you require, from clothing to toiletries to electronics (don’t forget your chargers!).
Take the list with you on your trip so that you can refer to it while packing up to come home to make sure you haven’t forgotten anything at your destination.
- Plan your outfits in advance
Avoid packing any unnecessary clothing items by planning your outfits in advance. Lay out the tops and bottoms you plan on wearing together as well as any accessories (such as jewelry or watches) that you plan to wear with that outfit. Not only will this method save you packing space, it will also save you time on your trip when you are looking for something to wear that morning.
- Pack neatly and tightly
By now you’ve probably heard that the most efficient way to pack is to roll your clothing – not fold it. Well, it’s true. This method will save you space and also cause less wrinkles than folding.
Now that you have your pre-arranged outfits, pack them together. If you don’t own packing cubes, large Ziploc bags are perfect for compressing your clothing and keeping everything neat and compact. Pack each outfit in its own bag and use a marker to write a brief description on it – that way it will be super quick and easy to find what you are looking for when you need an outfit to wear.
Re-sealable plastic baggies are also perfect for storing your toiletries and any liquids that could potentially leak. They are also great for keeping all of your chargers and earbuds untangled.
- Leave extra space
While it may be tempting to use every bit of room you have in your suitcase, it’s important not to pack to the max and leave some extra space for any shopping you may do while on vacation. Better safe than sorry!
