I not only make lists, I keep the lists in a folder for future reference. On them are all the things that I "always have to take", like toiletries, meds, eyeglassed, sunglasses, passports, etc. No thinking required on that part - just grab and check it off the list. I have different lists for different locations because the beach obviouly requires things that NY doesn't. Then its on to clothes. I have a great NY packing list which requires very few alterations. Sure I buy new things, so something old gets crossed off the list and something new added in its place, but for the most part the list is a great beginning. My thought is that if a wardrobe was perfect for NY, then it will probably work well in Paris or if it was great for Mexico, I can repeat it for the Carribbean. This method cuts down significantly on the tine I spend standing in the closet - or ironing things to pack that I later reject!

When I return home from each trip, I try to update the packing list. I add things I wish I'd had along and delete things I took and didn't use. Now I have really good packing lists for different "kinds of destinations". This may sound a bit anal to some, but I find that for me it really reduces the stress level during packing. I'm not one to "reinvent the wheel".

I hate to pack because I have to do it for me and my two girls. My husband is on his own. And it usually entails doing tons of laundry to get to the point that you can start to pack.

When the girls were younger I would pack a complete outfit in a Ziploc bag - socks, undies, top, bottom and hair thingie. All the bags would go into the suitcase more easily than everything separately. Once we arrived at our destination, all they had to do was pick out a bag and get dressed

But now they are older, they pack for themselves but I still have to go through everything to make sure stuff matches, there are enough undies, socks,pjs and that every thing is appropriate for the activities planned.

Then I pack for myself which usually isn't too hard as all my clothes are khaki, white, navy or black solids.

I'll be doing it tonight to get ready for our trip to DC starting Sat.

Probably when one travels more, the focus on how to pack lessens. I do understand that people like to imagine and then practice, and thus going into such detail here offers something theraputic. But I wonder when the real thing occurs, does some of this fall by the wayside? Interesting post ... I feel as thought I'm standing right there taking things out of the closets. Now, if we could just get TSA to repack as well as some of you.

I neither like nor dislike packing. I just hate trying to figure out what I am going to wear. I am extremely cold natured so I always need long sleeves and pants for evening times (even during the summer and I need cool things for day times and then there are the dressy and casual issues. I end up taking too many clothes but I have never packed so much I was over the weight limit.

I pack for my husband because we have a deal. I pack and unpack and he loads and unloads. I hate the toting aspect of it all and he hates the packing so it works for us. It is not that we are incapable of doing either, we just prefer not to.

I do not pack the plastic bags unless we are going for a short weekend trip. If it is a week or longer, we take two suitcases; one with his clothes and one with mine and at the end of the trip, I place the dirty clothes in one (lights on one side and darks on the other) and the leftover clean clothes in the other bag. We also always have one gym type bags that holds the hairdryer, shampoo and various other stuff I think I have to have.

I absolutely hate to unpack and wash those darn clothes. I am such a fanatic at home that I never have the amount of clothes to wash at a time that I have after a trip.

I agree with starfish1 about UNpacking after a trip. Total let down!

I still have some shirts from our NYC trip in May laying on the day bed in my room.
I'm leaving them there for our next trip.
Yeahhhh..that's it..."Pre-packing"!

We're already putting aside a few things for Kauai...in 159 mo' days.=D>

I'm reading through this post thinking gleefully to myself "I'm not the only one! I'm not the only one!"

Packing is SUCH a production. I have to try everything on. At least three times. Then I have to "cross reference" the clothing I've chosen, to see that everything coordinates with at least something else, so it can do double duty. And the shoes! I don't even want to go into the agonies that shoes cause. It's difficult to find shoes that are comfortable on the foot for miles of sightseeing AND comfortable on the eye so as not to offend the natives (or one's husband). Then you must think of accessories to bring because you need them, definitely. It gets boring on a trip to wear such a limited wardrobe and the only thing that saves you is changing out your earrings/rings/bracelets. All this planning on what goes into the suitcase can take me days, literally days! Sometimes it seems like the trip itself is easier that the packing that preceeded it.

My husband now packs for himself because he got tired of hearing me turn the air blue with my bad language (that combined with furious kicking of things made for a bad scene). Why the histronics? I challenge anyone to fold a man's dress shirt into the same perfect shape it was in when you bought it from the store. I tell you, it CAN'T be done! Robots must fold dress shirts in the factory. I certainly can't come close to any near approximation and I've admitted defeat. My husband packs his own wardrobe. After I've laid it out for him, of course.

> Instead of packing, I have decided that hanging out here is much more fun!

I'm leaving for Europe in 11 days and all I've managed to do is fold the futon down in the office, and place 2 empty suitcases on top. Still need to go down to the basement and find 2 or 3 more bags.

I have printed off a couple of lists, tips. I've read them all and I will still overpack.

I'm resigned to accept the fact that we'll need a small seperate bag just for shoes, belts, bags, etc.

I'm wondering if packing is very much like moving....You always say, next time will be easier, I'm getting better at this right? Nope.

We're spending 2 nights in London, then leaving on Baltic cruise for 12 days out of Dover. Temps are not going to be hot, probably cool and rainy at times, so everything goes, literally.

So, Heavens, I'm with you!

Happy procrastinating! I mean, traveling!!!>

... after reading such agony, does anyone else see the need for a packers support group, someplace you could go just before travelling and get emotional help while you put the stuff in the bag? Hi, my name is (fill in the blank) and I hate to pack. Is this something from childhood? Do I have a fetish with plastic bags? Is this an emotional allergy?

blacktie, you must be someone who only dreams about travelling, rather than actually DOING any, because otherwise you'd know exactly what the rest of us are talking about in regard to packing.

Plastic bags are essential for anyone who travels on a fairly regular basis! You can't beat them for practicality and usefulness. Has nothing to do with a "fetish." Tissue paper is another goodie. I wrap my shoes with all that lovely, pretty tissue that comes home with newly bought clothing (bought for trips, of course!).

Blacktie is the only one here who speaks with any reason. Travel obsessed people complaining about packing? Sounds to me like you all live for this crap and just want something to complain about.

If you dont want to pack,go with no luggage and buy all you need when you get to your destination,then donate it all to charity so you wont need to PACK for the trip home. Then you can all complain about spending money.

Ooooh, blacktie, tell us more about your fetish with plastic LOL
Just when I thought I had heard about Everything!

gojacks, time for a Chill Pill.

Scarlett...I thought my pack-free vacation was good advice. No?

gojacks wrote:
"Sounds to me like you all live for this crap and just want something to complain about..."

Whatever 'good' advice you might give, the tone above kinda ruins it for me..

Perhaps the question should have been "Does anyone else hate to hear about others' plans"?

Seems a little more fitting after the last few responses.

....oooohweee, Scarlett, if you insist! I have these visions, gasp, of blondes searching closets, pink paper and plastic at ready, teasing out exactly the appropriate ensemble for the day or trip. Call it fetish if you will, but doctor, I just seem to associate that vision with travel. And I wish them all fun and safe trips and happy returns, and properly operating washing machines. Such a fun thread, if only packers would stop vexing quite so much and remember travel prep is supposed to be part of the fun.

Scarlett...Giving the best possible advice on this forum satisfies me not only generally,but specifically as well.

I love this thread ... I can't resist jumping in ... I'm not the only one!!!

Packing for business trips is a breeze since my activities are usually very defined ... I can do this very quickly the night before without much obsessing. It's the personal trips, especially if we're unsure what we may be doing. It could range from hiking to going out for nice dinners ... what to take???? After I finally deciding (after endless agonizing), for our checked luggage I split my husband's and my clothes between the two bags (so if one gets delayed/lost each of us will have some of our stuff). Well you just can't split "willy-nilly" ... I have to make sure that properly coordinated clothes and shoes are in the same bag.

Anyway, every trip I say the next one I'm having this done a week ahead ... and I'm getting better at planning but still need to cut down on the obsessing. After all, whatever you forget or don't bring you can usually do without or buy when you get there!

blacktie, you are definitely a naughty boy. Now go to your room and get out your suitcase! and don't forget your plastic!

Rosemary-whatever

... oh, lol, not plastics, so smothering. I'll pack a fetish or two, and trade my room for travel. Aloha!

OK, now I can't resist jumping in with my no-pack story. A couple/three years ago I was at work, on the phone with a guy I had been on a couple of great dates with. He says hey, I haven't been to Vegas in a while-- do you want to go for the weekend; I'll get the tickets. I was to meet him at the airport that evening, we would arrive late on Friday and fly back Sunday afternoon. Just to see the look on his face (and figuring any need could be met in Vegas), I arrive at the airport in a hot little number, heels, and a toothbrush in my purse, nothing else. We never even got a room; after a day or so of gambling, eating, drinking, dancing, we used some of the winings and arranged to use the spa, took a soak, a steam, a shower, had my hair and makeup touched up, gambled a little longer then we flew home.

(Of course traditional packing is nothing but a chore to be done as quickly and efficiently as possible)