There are two rules of packing in our house.
Luckily we all share them and see it is a sport, which is just as well, as we are often the butt of many jokes because of it.
The first rule is. Only one suitcase. It does not matter how many days or how many people, the rule applies. The size of the suitcase varies and yes we do own a rather large one that can carry 30kg relatively easily, but the rule is the rule. It think it stems from having small children, buggies and a passion for public transport that forced the issue, but the tradition lives on and we have fun with it. I recall fondly our week skiing trip in the Alps a few years ago. We went by train with all our equipment and two small children in tow. Beautiful!
The second rule, a little similar, and possibly more challenging. The rule is that we only take hand luggage on flights if the trip is for less than a week. I hear you already cry about the impossibility of this task. What about shoes, gym clothes, room for purchases, but believe me with thought and planning it's completely possible.
Take today for example, I am flying on business for a week, I have with me, my flight case and my computer bag, that's it. However the thought and planning that was required to get there, may or may not be worth the effort.
The strategy: I have each outfit planned, no deviation is possible. I have one pair of shoes that match all outfits. I even unpacked my cosmetic bag and repacked to ensure I tool only the bare minimum. With this system I often find I have to wear my sports shors, as these always cause the biggest space issue. There are other compromises eg the coat I wear. For example the one I chose for this trip is not my favorite, but rather it is the most neutral in colour, most suitable for the meetings I have and the most practical.
This is at times frustrating, as I do enjoy fashion and mixing and matching, but this is the price I have to pay for following the rules. There is however a "get out" clause. If I need something that I didn't pack, I can just go and buy it. This self talk is very helpful and inspires the result. I have never had to do this, but it helps mentally with the tough decisions whilst preparing
The pay off for me is high. There is no luggage claim on arrival, definitely much less heavy lugging whilst in transit. There is no deliberation in the mornings on what to wear and finally very little unpacking in the hotel and on return to home! Wonderful!!!
However one final word of warning, don't forgot to remove all your liquids in your hand luggage......maybe this one is the one the makes this task impossible!
Am I the only obsessive, crazy one when it comes to packing? Please tell me, that some of you have them too.............
Not sure I could stick to the One Case regardless of how many people and how many days (going to the US for Xmas ... damned if I'm sharing my case. Shopping people, shopping!!!) but the hand luggage only for trips of a week or less is entirely possible and one that we have practiced in our house for the past few years. Honestly? I just get a kick out of not paying Ryanair any extra money!!
ReplyDelete(Pre - children, although will instill this with them too asap), we can take more than one case, but unlike many holiday makers who pack new "holiday" clothes for the sun, sea, sand, snow etc, we have the rule you pack all your old stuff that has seen better days and really is on its way out of your wardrobe for ever anyway (to make space for new fashion disasters). Once worn we dispose of on holiday, thus the amount in the case reduces as the week(s) go by (especially useful when on a touring holiday), making space for holiday nik-naks and also meaning no washing or ironing when you get home. Its also not a major disaster when baggage handlers "misplace" your luggage forever!
ReplyDeleteWe have great fun with where we dispose of our garments :-))
We do the exact opposite. We take as many bags as allowed by the airlines - much to my darling husband's chagrin. even if they go half empty. I'll be damned if i do laundry on holidays and if I let any shopping escape me:-)sometimes i even pack more suitcases in my suitcases....
ReplyDeletebut i do love imagining you all packing over there:-)
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