Whether you’re traveling by plane, train or automobile the biggest hassles are figuring out what to bring, the best and easiest way to pack our stuff and keeping our kids busy so we can enjoy the ride and our vacation. Here’s what you should think about and bring along next time you brave that family trip so it doesn’t turn out like Chevy Chase’s National Lampoon’s Vacation flicks.
 
A Few General Hassle Free Tips

Hassle Free Packing Tips: What to Bring

The numero uno tip when deciding what you should bring is one I’ve learned by overpacking time and time again: less is more!  And, besides you’re on vacation and no one outside your family or friends know you so who cares what they may think…repeat!

The next tip is to bring or buy wrinkle free or disposable clothing for everyone in your family.  Fortunately, this type of clothing is becoming more available and more fashionable. Here are a few places to find some::

  • Chico’s Travelers Collection: Great for traveling and going from day to night.  Lots of mix and match styles, easy to pack, wrinkle free and tres chic or Chico! www.chico.com  
  • Microfiber sleepwear: Folds into its own pocket so is very easy to pack $69.99  www.travelsmith.com
  • Disposables Undies: Love these since it means less laundry for moma when the vacation’s over. Get some thongs, bikini or classic briefs $7.99-8.99 from www.onederwear.com. They have socks, too — ankle and mid calf-white only which come five to a package.
  • There are also lots of options out there for wrinkle and stain free clothing for kidsfrom  The Gap, Old Navy and Dockers. Brookes Brother’s has some clothing you might want to check out as well for the ‘big kid’!

The next tip is to bring along a portable stain remover:  You know someone in your family’s gonna have a spill or food mishap so be prepared!  Throw my fave instant stain removal must have Tide to Go in your backpack, bag or glove compartment for hassle free clean –ups  on clothing,  It’ll get out most fresh food and fruit stains like coffee, ketchup and grape juice. Check it out at www.tidetogo.com

Hassle Free Packing Tips: How to Pack

My numero uno packing pals are resealable plastic bags.  I buy them in a variety of sizes  so I can just ‘bag  and zip’ almost everything I’m packing for everyone in my family.  Ziploc even has huge ones that you can use as luggage which are particularly handy if you’re traveling by car. Here are a few ideas to think about: 

  • For Kids Stuff: Pack clothing in individual bags that have been labeled and dated. Makes it easy for them to see what they’ve got to play with and minimizes loosing small stuff.
  • For Jewelry. Easy to access and for airport security to see. 

* Tip: don’t bring expensive stuff unless your insurance is up to date or you want to loose it to buy a new, more expensive piece!

  • For Cosmetics: Keeps them easy to access and for airport security to see, plus keeps everything organized.
  • For Toiletries:  Again, makes it easy for airport security to see

* Tip: Buy travel sizes, disposables, and one time use stuff. Also, remember that there are stores where you’re going so can always buy and besides, most hotels have some of the basic stuff you’ll need for free. Remember, the more disposable stuff ya have more room to take home vacation souvenirs and goodies!

  • Consolidate and Compress.

These are two words that can help you minimize the amount of luggage you’ll need, and at the same time enable you to take that extra shirt or sweater that you just can’t be without:

1. Consolidate: Pack soft stuff in a laundry bag which can also serve as pillow on car ride, plain or train.  It will fit easily in overhead, and on return you won’t have any extra bags to carry for your dirty stuff. The ones I love to use not only are functional and hold up to 4-5 days worth of laundry, but they look great, too and come in paisley, stripes, polka dots (assorted), boucle, toiles, etc.  www.royalaccessories.com  $34.99.

2. Compress:  There are wonderful products that can will help you squeeze in (literally!) that extra piece of clothing:

Space Bag:  You just pack, seal, roll (so they can expel air), flatten and stow!  www.thecontainerstore.com or www.spacebag.com   They’re considered disposables, but they can be reused several times and are easy for airport security to see what’s in what. Plus they come in a variety of sizes to suit your travel and storage needs. $3.99/4.99.

Ultimate Packing Solution Set: Maximizes space, minimizes wrinkles, and organizes everything you’re bringing. $39 www.thecontainerstore.com

Pursekets:  These are an accidental housewife’s must have.  If your bag’s like mine it seems as though it has a black hole and I can’t find anything.  These multi-pocket, organizers look great, come in a variety of sizes, roll up and will keep all your important stuff organized: passport, tickets, keys, wallet, handheld, glasses, etc. in them and just move the whole ‘ket’ from one bag to another $16-22. www.pursekets.com

Hassle Free Packing Tips: Where to Pack Stuff 

Again, less is more. Forget your pocketbook and bring an all-purpose, go anywhere, and easily accessible bag with you. Make sure it fits under a plane seat or behind a car seat and includes all your essentials as mentioned above.  Now,  a few tips on the types of luggage to consider:

  • If you’re flying, avoid checking luggage. Use wheeled carry-on’s for all family members which can  fit in overhead or bring a backpack that can fit r under a seat. Here are some luggage choices that I like along with a tip on luggage tags:

Hardcase roller:  Flight 1 $175:  Survives the tossing and tough treatment of airline’s luggage folks-indestructable since it’s a hard body.  Bright pink color makes it easy to pick out and find amidst sea of bags on ramp. www.flight001.com 

Eddie Bauer Two in One Duffel: Backpack and duffel holds tons of stuff. Has a ‘hard bottom’ great for packing stuff that may wrinkle a bit more easily if you didn’t take along the wrinkle-free stuff mentioned earlier! $129.50 –Available in lots of colors so each member can have their own.  www.eddiebauer.com

TIP:  Luggage tags:  Buy color coded ones so you can easily  id who’s luggage is whose.  www.flight001.com 

Be sure to put both your destination address on the tag in case your luggage gets lost so it will get  to you during, not after, your vacation!

How to Avoid Hassle Heavy Words: “I’m Hungry” and “This is Yucky!”

Many have lost their sanity hearing these few words, so to help preserve yours remember the following:

  • On planes: If lazy or have no time call airlines ahead for kids meals but risk yucky factor.
  • On trains: They usually have a special kids menus on board (Amtrak)
  • And the best and surest way to insure that your kiddies are happy is to bring your own!  Pack non-messy, non-salty foods, veggies, individual serving sizes, and drinks with pop tops. For car travel, try this cooler/fridge that plugs into your lighter www.coleman.com. For everywhere else, take a look at  Built NY Neoprene Lunch Bag that insulates and serves as a placemat, too. $24.99 www.target.com

How to Avoid the Hassle-Heavy Words: “I’m Bored?” and “Are we there yet?” 

Ok, I lied, these are  two more expression that sent shivers up and down our spines and cause us to question our decision to take the kids on vacation.   Fear not, you can survive these words so long as you have enough distractions.  Here are a few to include in your arsenal:

  • Get magnetic games:  reduces losing pieces on plane, train or in cars www.flight001.com  $20.00
  • Pack a shoe bag filled with lots of different stuff: electronics, crayons, small magnetic puzzles, books, etc.
  • Have an hourly grab bag: kids love to get stuff so fill a decorative shopping bag with small, inexpensive goodies you think they’ll like and let ‘em grab one every hour. If times are really trying — do it every half hour!!
  • Invest in a portable DVD — there are so many available now, that are reasonably priced.   *Tip: Make sure whichever model you buy has a headset component and long battery life! 
  • If you’d rather not buy or bring your own DVD  and movies consider renting them for as little as $12 a day from www.inmotionpictures.com.
  • Another cool rental option that I love is to rent books on tape from Cracker Barrel  www.crackerbarrel.com for $3.49 per rental — and you can pick one up in one locale and return at next CB along the way.

For Fido the Frequent Traveler

Lest we not forget our four-legged family members, here are some things to keep in mind and products to check out: 

  • See if hotel allows — ; many have pet programs and kids’ camps, too! Here’s some travel stuff just for them!
  • Must have travel-pet-products:

Pet Wheel-A-Way Cart. Converts to a backpack, car carrier, and bed for pups up to 15lbs. $69.00  www.pettails.com.

For luggage they can haul, check out www.eddyoutonline.com.  

HandiDrink for cats and dogs. $7.98 www.petco.com.  

Pop-up pet house. $44.50 www.petsalley.com

Ok, enough about them what about you!  What follows are a few of my favorite things to shorten the travel time, maximize your comfort and  take a vacation from all the complaining!

  • Take the hassle out of spending needless hours in traffic or going  the wrong or long way with the latest and greatest portable GPS system: Tom Tom Go 700.  You can find the best buy on line or check out www.bizrate.com
  • Since airlines don’t offer pillows anymore you gotta get the “wake me when I’m there” down pillow. $36 www.royalaccessories.com.
  • And, finally to block everyone out, get yourself a pair of Bose noise reduction headphones. $299.99 www.bose.com  You’ll thank me, I promise!!!

 

And, if all else fails,  you can always travel alone!
Just Kidding and Happy Trails!
 

Back
 

(c) 2005 Carpe Diem Communications, Inc.

SITEMAP