Creating a Personal Vacation Packing Checklist

Have you ever arrived at your vacation destination only to realize that a critical something never made it into your luggage?

When packing for a trip, what is the secret to making sure that nothing gets left behind?

Every year when I was growing up, my mom and aunt took their combined 7 kids plus a St. Bernard on a yearly vacation.

The town where we vacationed was so small that, upon our arrival, we pretty much doubled the population for the duration of our visit.

The main road was a thirty-minute drive from our cabin and the nearest store an additional thirty minutes.

It was critical that absolutely everything make it into one of the vehicles. Not just clothes, but food, toiletries, toilet paper (for the outhouse!) and dog food as well.

Once we turned off the main road, unless it was catastrophic, there was no leaving for the next ten days.

Every year, weeks in advance of our departure, my mom started planning.

As an adult, I stand in awe of the preparation that was required for surviving for ten days with seven kids, two adults, a dog and no store even remotely nearby.

How did they do it? There were lists for everything.

My clearest memory is the meal planning list.

The meal planning list included what we would eat for every single meal of every single day, the ingredients to make the meal, and who was responsible for bringing what.

I don’t remember ever running out of food.

When I was older and started packing my own suitcase, it was intuitive to begin with a list.

To this day, when I am packing for a trip, either long or short, my packing begins with what I now refer to as a vacation packing checklist.

A personal vacation packing check list is a one-of-a-kind, unique to you, checklist created to fit the trip on which you are going.

How do you create such a list? Believe it or not, it’s easy.

Every complete vacation packing check list is comprised of four main categories: clothes, toiletries, other and food.

Clothes

Creating a clothing plan is identical to creating a meal plan except instead of planning meals you are planning clothes.

Grab a sheet of paper and list each day you will be away.

Under each day, write down what you plan to wear for that day. Be specific. For example, black capri leggings and a grey T-shirt. (My personal vacation uniform.)

It is probable that some days will require two outfits. Put both outfits on the list.

If your plan includes wearing an outfit more than once, simply write “see previous day.”

The point of the clothing checklist is to ensure everything gets packed, not create a rigid dressing schedule.

At the end of the clothing checklist make a note of how many and what kind of undergarments, socks and shoes you want to include.

Little life tip: Always pack a swimsuit. You just never know 😊.

Toiletries

Take the time to create a once and done toiletries checklist.

Create and save it on your computer or phone and it won’t be necessary to recreate it for every trip.

A toiletries checklist is a list of everything routinely used for personal grooming.

Create a toiletries check list over time. As you use an item, add it to the ongoing list. If you don’t use a razor every day, you won’t think of it until you actually use it. You may want to pack a razor for an extended stay. Or not. That’s what makes this a personal list.

Don’t skip making this list. It’s too easy to overlook something as simple as a toothbrush.

Little Life Tip: Label refillable travel bottles. This helps keep from using hand crème as shampoo.

Other

Other includes all the other items that needs to be packed into one bag or another. Phones, computers, Kindles, chargers, passports, any and everything that needs to go with you, whether on your person or in your luggage.

As with toiletries, create this list over time, in the weeks and days leading up to departure.

It can’t be said enough, write it down. Put it on a list.

Having a written list is insurance for ensuring that everything gets packed.

Food

You may or may not need to take food. If you do, create a food checklist.

Refer to the clothing plan above and replace it with food.

Create a plan for each day for which you need a meal.

Even if you don’t need a meal plan, consider a snack and drink checklist.

No one wants to unnecessarily bust their vacation budget on convenience store snacks or airport food.

Remember refillable water bottles.