To my husband’s chagrin, I was once the world’s worst packer. He’d help me “pack properly” but as soon as his back was turned, I would jam clothes into my bag leaving it a hot mess. And you couldn’t lift my bag without dislocating a shoulder.
But I finally saw the light after taking a few trips & spending way too much time trying to sort out my bag (with my husband valiantly refraining from saying “I told you so”).
With the holidays fast approaching here’s a few packing tips to help you pack like a rock star!
Make a List & Check it Twice!
Make a list of items you need to bring 2 weeks before you pack & start putting clothes & items aside in a pile. It eliminates the panic of last minute packing, and over or under packing (or just plain forgetting something important!)
Wheelie-Easy
Buy lightweight suitcases with spinner wheels with an extending handle to make your life easier to get around a busy airport. Make sure you get a suitcase with an additional strap with a quick release buckle at the top. You’ll be able to attach your carry-on or a duffel bag, allowing you to move both with one hand. In essence, your large suitcase will double as a luggage dolly. (The genius that first thought of putting wheels on a suitcase deserves a Nobel prize!) J
Gotta Know When to ROLL ‘Em, Know When to FOLD ‘Em!
* Pack your heavy items first like footwear, coats, jackets etc. in the bottom
* Fold pants, sweaters & dresses & pack in bottom.
*Pack small jewelry in a pill case! 
* Use the inside of your shoes for storage space (socks, small items) if space is an issue.
* Use disposable shower caps to pack your shoes (keeps your clothes clean). 
* Roll softer clothing (underthings, T-shirts, silk items, sports shirts, shorts etc.) and place them in the corners of your bag which prevents wrinkling.
* Pack dress shirts, dresses or anything that needs to be hanged last for easy retrieval.
* Place on top items you’ll need to get to first (ie PJ’s, swimsuits, makeup bag etc.)
Keep Calm & CARRY ON
* Pack your passport, money, ID, electronics & valuables, jewellery in your carry-on. (Don’t forget: chargers, memory cards & extra batteries!)
* Pack your medications, prescription glasses, tissues/hand wipes, iPod, laptop, books, snacks in your carry on.
ZIP It!
Both packing pouches or packing cubes (the newest travel item craze) are very convenient for packing same-type items together & extremely handy to grab something out of your bag quickly.
Ziploc bags are also durable, see-through, multi-purpose & practical. Here’s a list of uses for them!
– pack liquids like shampoo, soaps, perfume, toiletries etc. to prevent spills.
– pack diapers & baby wipes together (keeps baby wipes fresh).
– pack intimates (no underwear falling out of a suitcase at customs!)
– keeps camera, iPod, cell phone items dry & sand safe at the beach
– keeps your passport, money, and other precious documents dry
– pack wet bathing suits & flip flops
– pack medications & first aid items together
– pack dirty clothes for sorting
Travel Tips
*Buy a compact lightweight digital hand scale which lets you weigh your bag before flying & avoid extra baggage fees.
*Pack one suitcase within another if you plan on shopping. Saves paying an extra baggage fee on your premier flight!
*Photocopy all your documents: travel itinerary, passports, credit & debit cards, insurance, rental/resort info etc. (Carry them in a separate area in case of loss)
*Not sure which suitcase is yours? Tie a bandana or colored scarf around the handle & you’ll quickly spot it on the conveyer belt.
Happy Trails To You!
Questions about the best condos & villas in Mexico?! Email us today at: info@yourbestgetaway.com
“PLAYA” Gal (a very satisfied client now working to promote Playa Beach Getaways!)
Contact Sally Foran: salgal@playabeachcondo.com ~~ PS Catch us on Facebook & Pinterest
Sally Foran is a happily married mom of 3, residing in Canada and is a frequent traveler to the Riviera Maya MX. She is an aficionado on ‘everything Playa del Carmen’ and writes with joy and passion about the area. She is also a witty blog contributor to Work & Family Foundation Canada, and NAVUT (offering professionals new to Ottawa the inside scoop!) Sally has also been awarded Blogger of the Week on TravelBlog.Org which enjoys over 250,000 bloggers world-wide.