I’m on holiday even as we speak, having a lark of a time! :D While I was packing, I decided to share the 5 things I make sure to pack all the time. If you have more “must pack” items, do share in the comments :)
1. Pack a hat
If you are anything like me and are prone to bad hair days, get yourself a hat. A hat can hide a multitude of hair sins and help you look chic and pulled together in photos. I have photos of myself on holiday with hair looking like a bird’s nest that really spoils the shot. So, pack a hat. I have this old floppy beret hat that I bought while as a student, that serves me well till today. Its light and squashable and looks great in photos!
2. Pack your battery chargers
You don’t want your mobile phone or camera batteries running flat at the most unopportune times. So get a pouch and load it up with your battery chargers. I keep it all together in one pouch so I don’t lose them and always always store away your chargers once you are done using them. You do not want to leave them behind after you move off to a different hotel or city!
Extra Tip: Charge your camera battery everyday. On my trip to Japan last year, I failed to do so and before I knew it, the camera failed me at the worst possible moment! I had to make an extra trip back to the hotel, wait for the battery to charge and then go out again. Waste of time and money.
3. Pack a large scarf or pashmina shawl
It doesn’t have to be pashmina, but get yourself a large shawl. If you travel often, you’ll know how cold airports and airplanes can be, no matter where you go. The shawl can stave off the chills. It can also double up as a fashion accessory on a chilly day or as a cover up for a night out on the town. Also if you are visiting religious places, you can use it to cover bare shoulders or your head. You can never go wrong with a good scarf or shawl.
4. Pack a travel adapter
If you are a gadget freak or at minimum, need to charge your camera battery or mobile phone, a travel adaptor is your best friend. Not every country uses the same plug points so get a “universal” travel adaptor that has slots for the most commonly used plug points. It might not work on Mars, but it will at least get your camera battery charged while you are in China :P
5. Pack a basic first aid kit
You don’t need the full size kit. Just get a pouch and in there, put a small tube of antiseptic cream, some plasters, aspirin or paracetamol (panadol), Vitamin C and medication for an upset tummy. You’d know best what you might be susceptible to and you can provide for it. Leave off scissors unless you plan on checking in luggage. Depending on where you go to, in the event of an emergency, it might not be easy to find a pharmacy, or medicine might be expensive or something you aren’t used to taking. Having something in your luggage will help.
These are 5 “must pack” things I make sure I toss into my suitcase every time I pack to go on a holiday. What are your “must pack” items? :)
Paris B
I pack all the 5 items you listed above too for my travels!! :D
I also make sure to pack a pen to fill in the arrival / departure cards!! XD
Ooh a pen! That’s a great tip. I make sure I have pens in every single bag I have so I am never wanting hehe… The problem is sometimes they run out of ink :P
i packed in 2,3,4 and occasionally 5 if i ever needed, usually it’s only plasters, panadols and stomach meds.
oh! and i always packed in a extra slipper/shoes if i can! my shoes/slippers tend to break when i am on holiday, guess it’s too much of walking already :P
Haha… I’ve never had my slippers/shoes break. But then I do travel with hardy footwear. Boots in fall/winter and walking shoes in spring/summer and Fitflops for tropics!
cell phone and money
Ah good tips! I am super anal and make checklists when I pack – but then tend to overpack as it is. Checklist also includes a column to check off when re-packing to come home. If only I was that organized in regular life.
That’s a wonderful tip! I tried it once. Failed miserably but its a great way to make sure you bring everything home.
I agree with #2-4, that’s what I do too. I don’t look good in hats (mostly because I have a big head and most hats don’t fit me :P), so I don’t pack any :P
Aww… but the knitted one you wore in Tasmania was a great hat! I think I want one :P
my goodness! were’s the makeup kit?
Haha… its not a “must have” for me. Shock! Horror! :P In fact I rarely have makeup on when I’m on holiday :P
agree on packing battergy chargers and shawl, I remember packing a Shawl to Macau and my brother was laughing at me telling me how hot it is, but when mom got super cold inside the Macau Tower, I shared to her my shawl and I smirked at my laughing bro! LOL :)
Hehe… Yep! You just never know when a shawl comes in handy! In the tropics, air conditioning can be freezing!
I’d add sunglasses and sunblock!
Great tips! I always make sure I have my sunnies too. Sunblock goes in with my skincare :)
anti-histamine and steroid ointment :D
LOL yes yes! Never too careful yes?
Caps go onto my head by default XD lol! my I would pack everything you would! except the shawl…maybe trade if for a cotton jacket =D
I usually do shawls because they can double up for head cover for religious buildings or to hide from the sun ;) Also they can be used over evening clothes ;) But then I usually already wear a light jacket ;)
I don’t wear hats. But yes, definately #2 to 4 are great ideas.
Now I have some stuff that I wld like to have but not musts:
1. Foot cream
2. Pen and notebook
3. Windbreaker (can be used as raincoat, groundsheet, etc)
Great tips too! Thanks!
Diapers and Thomas the Tank Engine for me. *sigh*
I *must* have my special shampoo and conditioner and hairdryer. I don’t care what ppl say abt travel-sized hairdryers, they don’t work. I can pretty much buy everything else if I’ve forgotten them but not these.
I wish I could carry my hairdryer with me too! Hotel hairdryers are the pits