Thanks StCirq,

I thnk we will miss the stroms.

((I))

less than 48 hrs to go... question; how do you get a suitcase that weighs in at 25 lbs empty to weigh less than 50? I really feel that I have done prettttttttttttttttttttttttttty well... not well enough yet.

jillc1, You need a suitcase that weighs a lot less than 25 lbs. when empty!

one more dry run to go; may switch bags... what a drag this is getting to be! Oh well... I will know tomorrow when I get to the airport exactly how well i did or did not do!

poor jillc- my sympathy... your suitcase is simply too heavy empty! don't stress for this trip, do the best you can. remember after you get home again take a minute and pay attention to what you took and didn't use. each time you pack should be easier and lighter than past trips (in theory -LOL).

My best tip for weeding clothes out is look for items with the same function. You really don't need 2 medium weight cardigans in different colors, for example. Or 3 different colors of a long sleeve t-shirt. And avoid the last-minute "I really might need this toss ins" such as a lint brush, book light, swiss army knife, universal sink stopper, etc.

I pack my shoes in a carryon as I think they are rather heavy. When taking athletic shoes on trips I usually wear them on the plane as they are the heaviest.

Nina, I can't believe it, we are exactly alike insofar as packing is concerned. I love this thread!

I have been trying to cut down on what I pack though. I am finally down to 4 pairs of shoes!!!!!

thanks Suze! I think I am ready to just zip it shut and be done with it! I have weeded out plenty this trip but I am sure if I was travelng with my friend from London she would not have nearly as much as me and I felt like I have improved... oh well.

my pleasure. packing is a life-skill i've been working on seems like forever(!) since the time as a teenager i forgot undies except for what i was wearing on a family camping trip. oh the horror.

for Europe i've packed too much & i've packed too little (yes this *can* be done and it ain't pretty either). neither one affected the success of my wonderful trips in the least. for whatever reason i do better on beach vacations, go figure.

for jillc1, next time you need a new suitcase be sure to buy one that doesn't weigh as much, that's all.

Tarheelmjfan: You went to roll call in your PJs?? It's lighter to leave the Pjs behind (and more fun if you're with the right travel partner).

Our big mistake has been bringing all the nutritional supplements which is tantamount to others medicines.But after bringing home the same bottles with the same number of capsule time and again (somehow the " daily routine" just goes out the window once vacation starts/why fill up on all those capsules and water when you need to save room for wine, cheese and pastries) I just leave them behind now. If only I could cut down on the techinical support stuff (camera, camcorder, laptop, battery recharger, etc)! But thanks to the memories they provide, they make the interrum time between trips go by faster.

I tended to (past tense now!) overpack batteries. I take an MP3 player with me, and for some reason throughout many trips I had this delusion that I will while away the hours listening to tunes instead of gazing at beautiful country side or sharing wine and conversation with my travel mates. I found I rarely turned on the player except on the planes (where I can listen to the plane's music anyway) so I quit packing a billion extra batteries. It is just ludicrous! I have really gotten to a "pared down" list, and strive for the day when I go to Europe or Africa for a month with just a carryon. My next trip is the month of November in Jordan & Egypt. I am hoping to get it all in a carry on. My fingers are crossed! And not one extra battery shoved in any tiny corner of that carry-on!

could have left a few things behind... rule of thumb maybe... 3 pairs of pants and 2 skirts... could have brought 2 pants and 1 skirt... but, one of the pants I should have worn and packed the other 2. could have left some shirts behind too but otherwise did ok. only funny looks i got were in the zurich airport by the natives... had too big of a suitcase and actually have gotton so many looks all over the place that i refuse to bring it anymore. but what to do when you are going hiking, skiing; and want to look good at dinner, etc and only want to pack one bag???

Did you have a good trip?

Since you asked, I would ditch the old 25 pounder, or at least use it when you go skiing and need lots of warm clothes. A rolling suitcase or duffel of 8lbs or less can hold a lot, including a nice little evening dress with a good pair of shoes.

I think you need to relax a couple of days before you start planning your next great vacation. Just keep remembering the funny looks you got at the airport. LOL

Welcome back!!

I am leaving for Paris in 3 days. I am a notorious overpacker. I usually take my pillow with me, pack enough outfits for a fashion show, oh and don't forget each outfit must have matching shoes! I realize I cannot do that this time around.I don't want to shlep all of this luggage all over Paris so I have scale down quite a bit. So I sit and stare looking at my tiny 21" pilot case and ponder "How am I going to fit anything in here?" I mean how am I going to get back home with souvenirs, clothes, ect. in this tiny case? I am going to squeeze a duffle bag in here and hope for the best!

<when you are going hiking, skiing; and want to look good at dinner, etc> That is a bit tougher to pack for! Any winter travel is more of a challenge because clothes are bigger.

That said, I belive to be a successful light/small packer for any weather or social situations you simply must be willing to wear the same outfits many times. That's why it's important to take clothes you really like and feel good in, since you'll be wearing them often.

Hello,

I am reviving this thread because it is a HUGE challenge of mine. DH just informed me that he will happily lug his stuff and my son's - but I'm on my own with my stuff!!

One thing I will definitely work on this time: I usually pack different sizes of clothes: the size I am at time of travel; the smaller sizes because those are the cutest; and the larger size (what I end up wearing after a couple days' worth of Nutella crepes!) And that's only the beginning....ironically, at home, I am so low maintenance, it's not even funny.

Last year, on a trip to Beirut Lebanon for 10 days, I brought SIX suitcases for 3 of us!! It sucked!! Our flights were cancelled, we were rerouted, yadadada.....3 days later, upon arrival, DH couldn't walk, I developed a sciatic nerve problem -- it wasn't a pretty picture.

This year, it's going to be HARD! Ok, I will settle for only ONE size of clothes. BUT STILL!!! We're gone for 20 days, to Paris for a week, and all over Switzerland for a week, then back to Paris - all by train - so while we will go barebones with clothes this time (lotsa laundry) - we also need: Santa gifts for son and nieces/nephews; housevisit gifts for grandpa, aunts/uncles, etc.; Can't buy them in Europe - too expensive and no time; clothes for city, holidays, skiing for 3! Not to mention the stuff 4-year olds need!!

I have promised DH only TWO suitcases. Does that even sound POSSIBLE???

Spending lots of money once there is NOT an option, by the way. We're already broke from this, and things are much cheaper here!

HOW DO PEOPLE DO IT??????

One thought: buy the gifts here and ship them.

Hi gambader, pack all black clothes (at least for you), buy presents that are really tiny (great things come in small packages), plan on doing hand washing and/or having laundry or drycleaning done while in Europe, don't worry about being seen in the same outfits time and time again.

Regarding Christmas presents for your son. Take a few and tell him that when you return home there will be more presents to open. We did this with our daughter when she was young and it worked out great. Actually made coming home a fun time! Something to look forward to. Best wishes.

Marilyn, that would be the most conveninent route -- but the last time I sent stuff to Europe (London) - just clothes for my nephew, the cost of shipping ended up being almost as high as the cost of the clothes - in the $45 range! It's a conundrum because I am going to really try to be good - but if I absolutely can't fit stuff, then I'll need to send - but then it'll be too late. I think I might check on the shipping again and see if there is a super-cheap way.

LoveItaly -- Great thoughts too - I contacted my brother and we decided that Santa will be waiting at home when everyone returns!! We figured we'd buy small stuff when at Crans-Montana. As for black -- ah, that's almost I wear. But this time, NO workout stuff. I ALWAYS take it (and it's not as if I even do it regularly at home!!) and I NEVER wear it!! But a comfy cozy outfit (cashmere woolies) are a MUST for those cold winter night...a girl can only give up so much!!

Thanks for the tips.

Hi gambader, yes, I wear so much black also, even at home. Cashmere casual would be great, packs well, warm and cozy. I am glad the idea about "Santa" leaving the presents while you are on your trip so that your little one can open them after you return home will work for you and the family. I always tucked a few small presents for opening up on Christmas morning but my daughter always loved the idea of coming home and finding "Santa's" presents. We did not travel every Christmas of course but when we did that really worked out great. Have a wonderful time!!