Getting away for the weekend can be a much-needed escape from your day to day life. You may just be going to the beach with your family to soak up the last bit of sun before winter is officially here, or you may be going to hang out with some friends. No matter where your journey leads you, you’ll want to be prepared. Maybe you want to pack light and only take the necessities. It’s not hard to, especially if you aren’t planning on staying there for a long time. It’s easy to pack everything in one of your favorite backpacks and leave it at that if you want to take the minimalist route. If you’re unsure of what you should take with you, look no further; here are some packing tips to get you ready for your weekend extravaganza.
What should you pack for your trip?
Packing can be stressful, even if it’s for a trip that’s supposed to be fun. You never quite know what you should bring on a weekend trip and what you should leave behind. Most of the time, you either end up overpacking and swamped with too much luggage, or you end up forgetting essentials for your trip. An easy way to avoid the two is to make a list of what you need to bring with you. Decide what luggage you’ll be taking. You can start your list with your essential hygiene items and work your way down to footwear.
Luggage
The first thing to consider is what type of luggage you’ll be carrying. There are various bags to choose from, such as leather backpacks, a durable rucksack, or a rolling carry-on suitcase. Decide which type of bag works for you, and stick to it. Once you do that, it’s time to get to packing.
Toiletries
Depending on where you’re going, you may not be able to find all of the toiletries that you need for a weekend away from home. It’s best if you can bring your favorite products with you, so you can avoid spending extra money on items you already have at home. You can pack these things in containers that you already have if you’re sticking to a tight budget for your trip. Make sure you pack travel-sized toiletries in clear zip-lock bags if you’re traveling by plane. Some things you should consider bringing are as follows: quick-drying, travel towels, washcloths, soap, shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste, an odor-resistant toothbrush, deodorant, and hand sanitizer.
Clothing
Since you’re packing for a short weekend trip, you should try not to overdo it when choosing clothes to wear. It’s best to use the capsule wardrobe method for packing; a capsule wardrobe allows you to narrow your wardrobe to staple but specific items. You don’t want to be stuck carrying a heavy load because you decided to bring your entire closet with you when you only need a few things like one or two shirts or a great pair of travel pants that you can mix and match to hold you over until the end of the trip.
Try sticking to these items: one dress shirt (maybe a nice polo shirt for men), one or two lightweight shirts for travel, two to three pairs of travel pants, pajamas, undergarments, a skirt or dress pants for a night out, a sweater or coat (depending on the weather), a couple of comfortable shoes and a couple of dress shoes, a bathing suit (if you plan on swimming), and a few pairs of socks.
Electronics
Even if you plan on unplugging and relaxing for your whole trip, you may need to bring a few electronics with you just in case. You never know if you’ll have entertainment while you’re away, so it’s best to prepare. You should make sure to pack a cell phone, charger, iPad or kindle for reading, lap-top computer, and a camera.
Weekend trips don’t have to be a hassle if you plan and bring the necessary items. If you pack the right way, you can have the time of your life worry-free. The time you spend trying to scramble and find things last minute could be the time that you spend with your friends and loved ones. Pack smart, pack light and have a good time.
