Packing for your next trip can be a challenge, especially when you are trying to keep the bags that you check in to a minimum due to airline fees. With the busy holiday travel season upon us, this is even more important. The following are a few tips to help you minimize your bags while maximizing what you bring with you.
Make a list and check it twice. Making a list helps to eliminate any stress of packing at the last minute. It also can be used as a guide during the not so fun repacking at the end of your trip. A list is also beneficial should your luggage be lost or stolen as you may need to itemize the contents of your luggage for the airline.
Organize your toiletries. Choose a waterproof case to pack all of your toiletries. As bottles of liquids can be affected by pressurization, make sure that the bottles are not filled all the way to the top. You can also try this tip that I use often: use sandwich baggies. For example, unscrew the lid to your shampoo. Take the sandwich baggie and cover the top of the bottle and screw the lid back on tightly. This will seal the bottle and prevent any spillage.
Keep your “bling” to a minimum. Bring only the jewelry or any other high-value items that is necessary. You may want to consider not packing these items and stowing them in your carry-on luggage. When packed in your luggage, these items are prime targets for thieves, both at the airport and at your hotel if they are unable to be stowed in a room safe. Additionally, if you have these items in plain view while sightseeing, they may be tempting for a pickpocket.
Pack in the order of usage. Pack what you will need first, last. This will place these items at the top of your luggage so you won’t have to root around to find what you need when you arrive.
Make it neat. The neater your clothes are when they are placed in your luggage the more likely that they will come out the same. If you fold your clothes like the department stores do, it can also keep them neat as the better they are folded the least amount of creases. You can also interlock your clothes by overlapping two pieces of clothing and folding them together so that your pieces are cushioned by the other piece.
Tight is right. If you pack too loosely, you are wasting space in your luggage and inviting wrinkles. Use the insides of you shoes to stow socks, underwear or other small items.
Repack just as you pack. We all dread repacking at the end of the trip, but if you follow the same methods that you used when packing, everything will be stowed properly and will fit easily while using the space most effectively. To separate clean clothes from dirty laundry, pack the dirty items at the bottom of your luggage and put the clean on top. That way you can easily pull out and put away the clean items and route the rest to the laundry.
Label your luggage. Tag your luggage with your name and telephone number; however do not list your home address. If your luggage is stolen, you don’t want them to know where you live, so use your business address for safety.
Stand out from the crowd. As many luggage pieces appear to be similar in shape and color, you need to add something to your luggage to make it stand out and enable you to retrieve it from the baggage carousel quickly. I tie a brightly colored scarf to the handle of my luggage. You can also use colored duct tape to make an “X” on the side of your luggage. Be creative!
REMEMBER…!
Never pack necessities. Never pack your government issued photo IDs, passports, travel documents, medications and other valuables (see “bling” above). Place them in your purse or carry-on luggage.
What to pack or NOT to pack, that is the question. If you are wondering what you can or cannot pack in your luggage or carry-on, go to the TSA (Transportation Safety Administration) website, www.tsa.gov and click on “For Travelers”.
Traveling with gifts. If you are traveling this holiday season to visit family and friends, chances are that you will have gifts for them. Due to security reasons, the TSA does not allow wrapped gifts to travel with you without screening, so DO NOT wrap them as they will be unwrapped. Purchase wrapping supplies once you arrive at your destination or ship wrapped packages to your destination ahead of time.
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