7 Packing Tips for Holiday Travel
Perhaps it has happened to you. After waiting in the long line to check your bag, you finally reach the airline ticket counter. It’s 10 AM and you’re already tired from getting up early to pack since you waited till the last minute. The not-so-chipper ticket agent tells you to place your suitcase on the scale. You begin to sweat, because you dread this moment each time your travel. Will your bag be too heavy? You struggle to place your overfull suitcase on the scale and cringe as the digital numbers read, 57 lbs. At 7 pounds overweight, that’s a $50 one-way service charge. In the old days, you might occasionally meet a nice airline ticket agent who would have let it slide. But in the days of restrictive policies and baggage fees, this is not likely to happen! Don’t let the airlines rip you off. I use a digital scale to weight my suitcase at home if I plan to check my bags.
With the onset of baggage fees, more people attempt to carry on their bags. If you’re traveling this holiday season, that means there will be a lack of overhead storage space. Carrying on is great, but you don’t want to fight with a bulky bag. Be sure to start with a light suitcase. My favorite suitcase is the 22″ Hover Craft by Eagle Creek – it’s light, compact and easy to maneuver through crowds. The matching Travel Tote has a sleeve that slides over the handle of a rolling bag making it the perfect, personal carry on bag. Be smart by packing light, packing efficiently, and by planning ahead when you travel.
Packing Tips
- Limit the amount of clothing you take. Lay out what you think you’ll need and then put half of it back! Pick colors that you can mix and match to maximize your wardrobe.
- When selecting clothes for your travel, know that cotton, wool, and knits wrinkle less when transported. Also think about all purpose shoes that you can wear for multiple outfits. Shoes should be placed in bags so they don’t get your clothes dirty. I love the ‘Shoe-Ins‘ shoe bags from The Container Store.
- Roll you clothes and place items that won’t wrinkle on the bottom. Next, drape long items on top. Smaller items like belts and accessories should line the side of the suitcase.
- Carry or wear your fine jewelry. I recommend a film canister with tissue for earrings, rings or other small delicate items.
- If traveling with small family members, make a checklist so you can use it to remind yourself of what you need.
- Be aware that flying with a car seat or stroller may cost you more. Most airlines still allow parents to check car seats and strollers with no additional fees. Double check with your airline to make sure they don’t count a car seat as a second piece of luggage.
- Pack early! Whenever you think of something to take – put it in the bag. Keep a running list so you don’t have to unpack to see if you’ve already tossed it in the suitcase.
Bonus tip – Never carry full bottles of product with you. Create your own travel size bottles of lotions and makeup. Checkout these 2 oz. clear jars, or these 3 oz. flip top bottles to make your own travel size products. Drop them in the clear zippered cube (size B) and you’re set to fly the friendly skies.
There are many benefits to traveling light 
and carrying on your bags. Your bags will likely will not get lost or damaged because they’re being handled by you. When you arrive at your destination, you won’t have to fight the crowds at baggage claim. That alone is a great incentive to carry your bags! If you live in a city with mass transit at the airport, you’ll beat the crowd to the Metro or be in the front of the taxi line which can be very long during the holiday rush. And, if you have someone picking you up, you won’t have to worry if their trunk is full of clutter. You’ll easily be able to place your bag in the back seat.
Wishing you a safe holiday travel season,
Tags: Container Store, Holiday Tips, Packing, saving money, Scott Roewer, Travel
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November 16th, 2009 at 7:39 pm
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Efrosyni Adamides, Heather W. Dombrowa. Heather W. Dombrowa said: Feeling overwhelmed about upcoming holiday travel? DC organizer, @declutteryou , has 7 tips to share http://bit.ly/4wU2xM [...]
November 16th, 2009 at 7:52 pm
[...] Read the original here: 7 Packing Tips for Holiday Travel » Professional Organizer … [...]
November 16th, 2009 at 9:19 pm
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This post was mentioned on Twitter by PT4Productivity: Feeling overwhelmed about upcoming holiday travel? DC organizer, @declutteryou , has 7 tips to share http://bit.ly/4wU2xM...
November 16th, 2009 at 11:56 pm
EXCUSE ME … you forgot ONE SMALL THING SCOTT … the toiletries bag will be confiscated and thrown away by TSA … 1/ 5 / 5 … that’s it that can be carried on. Amazing how little you seem to know. And you know how much people can be peeved by idiots who are too cheap to pay $15 and carry huge bags onto planes, and block the aisles while they stow their bags the wrong way in the overhead bins? And that’s not even considering the idiot airlines who do not enforce their size restrictions on planes. If you don’t want to pay for your bags, fly on Southwest Airlines. OR better yet, DRIVE. Then you can haul all the junk you want to take with you.
November 17th, 2009 at 12:05 am
@Gayle – Thanks for your comments. I’m assuming you meant to not be so rude. The toiletries bag will not be taken by TSA. Liquids, gels or aerosols in 3.4-oz. containers or smaller may be carried on airplanes. One passenger may take one quart-sized or smaller clear, plastic bag with liquid containers. The bag we used from The Container Store is TSA approved and it contained appropriate size containers. We placed it in the outside pocket of the suitcase so it is easily placed on the conveyor belt for screening during check-in. The bag we used was a 22″ travel bag, perfect for carrying on most airlines.
You sound like a very frustrated air traveler. I’m sorry you didn’t appreciate the tips or gain anything from this news story. Good luck with your future airline travels.
November 17th, 2009 at 12:50 am
Wow, Gayle, you’re so bitter and wrong… is it possible you’re a competing organizer who has run out of solutions for competing with Scott? Since Scott is far too nice and professional a fellow, I’ll hand this out to you – #FAIL!
November 17th, 2009 at 3:27 am
Good tips! If you’re checking 2 bags – put the heavier bag on the scale first that way if it’s over 50lbs you can possibly put some of the heavier items into the other bag you’re checking. Travel safe!!!
November 17th, 2009 at 7:30 am
[...] 7 Packing Tips for Holiday Travel » Professional Organizer … [...]
November 17th, 2009 at 9:00 am
Ms. Glick – I think you’re confused. The mnemonic device used by the TSA is 3-1-1: 3.4 oz. or less, 1 quart sized clear plastic bag, 1 bag in the screening bin. Scott’s advice is correct.
http://www.tsa.gov/311/index.shtm
November 17th, 2009 at 10:54 am
Gayle, BACK THE TRUCK UP AND PUT YOUR LUGGAGE IN IT
November 17th, 2009 at 11:47 am
I always dread having to prepare for a trip because I am the poster boy for inefficient overpacking:
1. I bring so many “just in case” items I make a 3 day trip look like a 6 month sabbatical.
2. I neglect to properly stow my toiletries and only remember when I’m 4 feet from the X-ray machine resulting in a “Flight of the Bumblebee” scurry for a ziploc and usually results in losing some pricey product (*sad face*) and
3. My checked bag is so heavy I say a prayer every time I check in and it’s getting weighed that it’s less than 50 pounds.
So these straight-forward and simple tips are a God send for me! Thank you so much, Scott!
November 18th, 2009 at 10:06 am
Thanks for the tips Scott! I even fold my dirty laundry for my return trip home as it seems that folded clothes take up much less room than just throwing the dirty stuff in the suitcase. I had a nice note from TSA recently in my luggage on my return trip from NY…I think they wanted to check out my packing
I usually try to do laundry while on my trip as well as then I have to pack less clothes. Packing for a family of 5 for summer trips becomes even more fun and it becomes a game of how to not lose your mind while traveling with 3 kids http://melissa-ididit.blogspot.com/2009/07/motivational-monday-family-car-trips.html
Again, thanks Scott for the great tips!
November 20th, 2009 at 6:17 pm
Were I only going for a weekend, in a similar climate to what I’m leaving, sure. But I’m heading out for 2 weeks (with ~10-12 hours of transit time/zone changes each way) internationally in a “totally opposite” climate. I’m carrying on “the neccesities” and checking the rest (in one expandable bag).
February 4th, 2010 at 6:07 pm
A great post, there some detailed advice very useful.