Packing For The Holidays

One of the most stressful things about Christmas is travelling to see friends and family to give them their gifts. If you're someone who can drive then I'm sure it's way easier for you, but if you're someone like me who can't drive yet then you have to take public transport which makes packing presents even more stressful when you have to carry them all. Here are a few of my tips to make packing just a little bit easier when doing it over the holidays.

1. Keep it light

It can be ever so tempting to take your big suitcase with you and fill it with the Christmas presents you bought. However, that means your case is going to be heavier to drag around and you may end up packing more than you actually need. One big tip is taking a carry-on suitcase, therefore it means you can only pack the essentials plus you'll still be able to fit the Christmas presents in. Keeping it light means you'll have less to carry with you and you'll only pack what you need. If you're staying with family then most likely they will have toiletries there so sometimes you don't even need to pack toiletries and another great thing is a washing machine so feel free to ask if you can put some things in the wash while you stay. After all, you'd do the same for them. That's why you should keep it light.

2. Make a list

How I get organised with packing is I make a list of everything I need. I was away from home for a week at the beginning of this month and I was travelling to both Manchester and Bristol in that week while also transporting all my family's presents. I knew I had to be organised with my packing so I made a list of everything I would need and I was realistic with the amount of clothes and toiletries I needed. Having a list helps because check everything off as well as things you might need to pack in the morning when you travel like a hairbrush or makeup. 

3. Buy presents at your destination

This is something that I never do but I really should as it will save me so much room for when it comes to packing. Guaranteed where you're going will have shops around so go out and buy presents when you're at your destination. Wrapping paper is easily accessible so it makes sense especially if you're travelling by public transport and don't have a lot of room to pack everything. Go out and buy Xmas presents when you arrive. Another option could be to Amazon presents over to the family so at least they will arrive already wrapped and save you the job of carrying all the presents. This is a tip I still need to learn as I like to get all my Xmas shopping done in November. 

4. Wear your heaviest clothes to travel in

It may be tempting to bring those boots and a big coat. However, trying to fit them in your suitcase may be a problem especially if you have Xmas presents to work around. Wearing your heaviest items can give you so much room in your case and makes it lighter to carry around. Even consider just bringing one good pair of shoes that you can wear for the whole trip. It just makes sense especially if you're only going for a week. How often are you going to be switching up your shoes? Black boots you cannot go wrong with because they're suitable for everyday wear but also if you're going out somewhere nice like a party. You cannot go wrong with a pair of black boots so wear them on your travels and you won't regret it. 

5. Don't stress about packing

There's something stressful about packing over the Christmas holidays but honestly there is no need. Packing this time of year is just like packing for the summer. Just keep calm and you will get through it. Make a list of everything you need, keep it light, buy presents at your destination and wear your heaviest clothes to travel in. If you follow these tips then you will have a stress free packing experience. 

There we have it. Those are my packing tips for the holidays. Let me know if you have any packing tips that I haven't mentioned in the comments below and maybe we can help each other out this holiday season. 

Thank you for reading my blog and I'll be back tomorrow with another post.

See you then.

Megan x 

*This is not a sponsored post* 

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