Underhill

I start about a month in advance by putting out on our dining-room table all the non-clothing items we will need for the trip. About two weeks in advance I start selecting clothing and then gradually add/subtract until I'm satisfied. Then we do a dry run on packing and decide what we can live without if necessary.

I keep trip kits of toiletries on hand throughout the year so I only have to do a quick check before packing those--saves considerable time.

indie

If an early morning trip the night before, else a mad scramble the the same day stuffing things in as I am rushing out the door.

However I do make sure I have done all my laundry the week before - so at elast the things I need are ready to go.

Giovanna

Like Suze, I have a rack where I start hanging things I'm taking. This allows me to see what combinations I can make and cut down on amount I take.

We each have a travel toiletry bag that is completely supplied (replenished as soon as we return from a trip) and ready to go. I add barrettes, ties, etc. for my hair. I also have lingerie bags so often put in underclothes and nightgown and slippers ahead of time. But actual packing isn't done until the day/night before.

An umbrella is left in our tote bags, shoe covers in our suitcases and ready to go. As others have noted, preplanning depends on where we are going and how many cities we are visiting. The more moving around the less we try to take.

TrendGirl

Packing is not a big deal to me, as I am used to going away.
I usually pack the day or night before I leave, and get the suitcase out. That way, the clothes are not wrinkled.I like to lay all my clothes on the bed and organize them into what outfits go together with shoes, accessories, then I try to "edit" and eliminate anything that I decide I won't need to take.
I already have minitures of all my cosmetics,shampoo, conditioner, lotions, vitamins etc- and always keep them in the same travel case.
I have my passport case,camera,film, and hotel and restaurant information ready to go with me in my handbag.
This is always a "happy moment" for me, as I know I will be going away to somewhere great!

strass

I start making piles two or three days before, but I always end up doing most of the actual packing the day of.

jkd

When the cab starts leaning on his horn outside my house.

Kascha912

No kidding, jkd: When we left for Thailand in April I had exactly 12 minutes before the taxi driver rang our doorbell for packing.
I always drive my husband crazy by not being packed until 2 hours or so before we have to leave the house.
And this time, I was actually doing fine (though I had to drive into the city that morning to find me a new bikini) but then his company called and all plans were void: We had to do ALL of the paperwork for our 3 year work visum for the US (we're German and live in Sc by now) that very day - before we left for our 2 week vacation. So I ended up writing my husband's English curriculum vitae instead of packing...

And you know what? Even with one or two items missing in my suitcase we had a GREAT time in Thailand.

chepar

My list of what I'm going to pack is completed at least a few weeks before the trip.

I start gathering everything together a few days before, and am completely packed the night before I leave. However, I always fly out on the red eye and I work a full day on my departure day, so I need to be packed the day before.

Possum

On my most recent 2 month trip to Europe, I actually put things into the suitcase a full 6 months beforehand.
Why? Well, I bought summer clothes in OUR summer (Dec, Jan, Feb)for use in June, July and August (the northern hemisphere summer). It would have been impossible to buy summer clothes just before I left home as the stores are full of winter clothing at that time. As most Aussies go to Europe for a LONG time(I think the average is about 6-8 weeks), we have to plan a long way ahead. I think I started a packing list 4 months (maybe more) before I left. Most packing was done about a month before, with a few things added in the last week.
We can only take 20kg (44lb) with us anyway- so you have to REALLY work out "what goes with what".
That amount of forward preparation sounds absurd, but with the length of most trips and the little amount you can actually take- it just makes life easier.
For trips within Australia or to "closer" international destinations, it's obviously a lot different. Then, I pack most things a few days beforehand, with a few things on the day of departure.
Possum

travdog

Usually two days after I should have started.

cruisinred

I am normally a last minute (and I do mean last minute, ie. limo to airport is in the driveway), but I am so looking forward to my trip to Bali in November, I have already started sorting out outfits, etc.

m_kingdom2

I sort my clothes out five or so days before I travel, and my marvellous packing service person presses them all and packs them into my suitcase that I provided, all folded onto tissue paper. Toiletries I pack myself and do them on the night before or the morning that I will travel.

Packing weeks and weeks in advance is pointless. One should always know their wardrobe well, and remove any items that are quite simply dated and never ever to come into vogue again. However, keep designer pieces as they will always be vintage and in vogue. Pieces by Ossie Clark are particularly desirable, as well has the original YSL!

MRSB1497

Since many of you have mentioned that you have packing lists for Europe, I was wondering, will someone either post their list here or email it to me? My husband and I will be spending 3 weeks in Italy next June, and it is our intent to (GASP!) check our luggage. Thanks! [email protected]

sylviam

I always back the night before as we generally leave early in the am. We travel very light and often. We both have 2 sets of toiletries so we simply throw that bag into the mix. Our only last minute prep is to double check the weather to decide on outer wear. Of course our trip preparation, maps, Fodor suggestions, books are done months in advance. Right now we are planning our trip to Vienna, Prague, Budapest for Easter 2005.

PLMN

I suppose most anyone who has been following my posts would guess that I started packing quite early. If it hadn't seemed silly to me I would have started back in Feb when I knew I was going. (Well, actually I started conceptualizing in Feb. )

I really did start packing in earnest about 2 - 3 weeks ago. I have packed and repacked a few times. The biggie was when I found a beautiful new rolling suitcase to buy.

Can you tell I'm excited!

flygirl

the night before I leave, unless I have a few hours before my flight, at home - then before the taxi shows up.

amp322

I start shopping for clothes, toiletries, etc, a few weeks before a big trip, but I always end up doing last minute shopping, as well. I pack my stuff the day before, and if it weighs too much, I re-pack it until I can lift the suitcase without busting my back. I buy a lot of things overseas - hair gel, toothpaste, etc, etc, if I'm staying there for a few weeks. No need to make my bag heavier, if I can purchase things there.

travdog

MKingdom has a good point about the tissue paper. If you fold a suit jacket or a shirt with tissue paper on the inside of it, or stuff the sleeve with tissue, it works like magic, even on the longest trip, to keep that garment as wrinkle free as possible. I always pack using white tissue paper (don't use color, it often bleeds onto the clothes.)

margo_oz

I usually pack the day of travel - I just take normal clothes - so I'm still wearing them up until the day before, and then washing them.
Also, if I don't get the suitcase out until the day I travel, it's one less day of cat neuroses to worry about, and less cat hair to remove.

h2babe

A week before. Then I leave it out, and go back to it the night before.