Hey guys! We’re fresh off spring break here and keeping our sights set on summer. For the most part, we’ve said our final goodbyes to cooler temps and are swapping sweatshirts for t-shirts and living in sandals.
As all mommas know, packing a family for any extended period of time is enough to wipe you out for days. Even an avid checklist maker like myself can feel overwhelmed by the task!
I’ve learned a few tricks for packing success that I’m going to share with you today:
1. Pack outfits – not pieces. Invest the time beforehand to pack an entire day’s worth of clothes in one gallon Ziploc bag – t-shirt, pants, socks, shoes and jammies for when it’s time to head to bed. You’ll save time (and frustration digging through a giant suitcase) having it all together. At the end of the day, throw dirty clothes back in the Ziploc bag and set aside for the dreaded 10 hours you’ll spend doing laundry post-vacation!
2. Assemble a permanent toiletry bag for yourself – including travel size shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste, contact lenses, etc. Keep it in your luggage at all times so it’s one less thing you have to worry about for the next getaway. Trust me on this one…as a contact lens wearer, there is nothing more depressing than realizing you’ve forgotten your extra lenses half-way between the city and the beach!
3. I really try not to be that mom. But when you learn that it takes a baby 2-3 weeks to get over even a common cold you start carrying Lysol wipes in the car, in your diaper bag and definitely on vacation. Before your kiddos have the chance to run through the hotel room touching everything in sight, I suggest doing a quick wipe-down of things the cleaning service might have missed: light switches, TV remote, telephone, door knobs. Ideally, it would be great to return homes with suntans – not sniffles.
4. Pack a lot of snacks. And then pack some more. This is probably a no-brainer, but food is the way to a screaming 2-year-old’s heart. Whether you’re driving or flying, this is the time to set aside your determination to serve fruits and veggies only. If a couple of cheese puffs is the difference between a happy passenger in seat 23B and one throwing dirty looks your way, I say “cheese puffs for everyone!”
5. And finally, remember this is YOUR vacation, too. Dad might sneak off to the golf course and the kids will surely spend hours splashing in the pool. Of course you’ll enjoy the enjoyment of your family – but take a couple hours to hit the spa, go for a walk alone or read by the pool without being the designated lifeguard on duty. I always like to “treat” myself even before we pack the car. I love finding that one new bag or pair of shoes that makes its debut on vacation. For our most recent trip, it was a pair of fringe sandals like the ones below. I think they’re a real fun (and age appropriate way) of rockin’ this spring trend.
And you should know by now, that I’m always looking for bite-size fashion finds.
Photos: Pinterest
There are a ton of sales going on at Tanger Outlets right now. I’ve got this Carter’s coupon stashed away for my next pre-vacation trip. Keep an eye out on their coupon page – the extra five minutes before you head out shopping will save you money that can be better used on vacation.
