Unscheduled Vacations and How to Pack for Them

While the majority of people are fortunate enough to schedule their vacations months (or more) in advance, there are still some people who don’t always get that lucky. Maybe you are a planner, but have recently been notified that you and your family will take an unscheduled vacation/getaway in a week or less. If you’re a parent, then your mind has probably went into overdrive trying to figure out how you are supposed to get you and your family packed and ready to go on such a short notice. Below are some tips to help you get the job done!

• Make a List, Pronto. Shortly after you find out you’ll be taking a vacation, make a list of what you will need. Make your list around your destination. For example, if you’re going to be going somewhere close to the beach, you will need to make sure beach towels, sunscreen and flip-flops are all on your list. On the other hand, if you’re attending the impromptu wedding of a family member or friend, you’ll need to make sure your list includes dresses for girls and suits/tuxedos for boys, depending on how formal the event is. Basically, making a list immediately will help ensure that you don’t forget anything on your trip.

• Do Laundry. One of the best tips for packing for quick trips is to do laundry immediately. Once you do laundry, pack the clothes you want to take on vacation right then. If they are packed, then you won’t wear them before leaving for your trip. In addition, you’ll have one less thing to worry about as your clothing will already be packed and ready to go.
• Pack the Carry On First. If you are flying, then it’s best to pack your carry-on luggage first. Focus on the flight(s) and the layover(s) you will experience along the way. What items do you and your family members need the most during the in-transit time? Those are the items that should go in your carry-on luggage. Once you’ve got your carry-ons packed and ready to go, start packing the rest of your luggage. A lot of time can be wasted if you try to pack both sets of luggage at once because you aren’t able to decide which suitcase an item belongs in. However, if you pack them separately (carry-on first, bigger luggage second), you’ll find the process goes much quicker.