Pack tightly but don’t cram suitcases too full. You should not have to force your luggage to close it. Shoes should be packed in shoe mittens or an old pair of socks to protect other clothes from getting soiled. Stuff shoes with socks/or underwear to conserve space. This also will help the shoes retain their shape. Roll pajamas, nightgowns, sweatshirts and other clothing that does not wrinkle into small spaces.
Garment bags are best for keeping suits, dresses, shirts and blouses organized and wrinkle-free. To avoid wrinkling, cover hanging clothes with plastic dry-cleaning bags; it is the friction from fabric against fabric that causes most wrinkles when traveling.
If you choose to pack your longer garments in luggage, try the interweaving method – place shorter items (jackets, shirt, blouses) in the suitcase; drape longer garments, such as dresses and pants, across the suitcase with the ends hanging over the sides; fold the sleeves of the shorter items around the longer garments, then fold the ends over the sleeves, so that the clothes cushion each other. Placing a piece of tissue paper between each layer of clothing also will discourage wrinkling.
If you are packing more formal attire, such as dresses and suits, consider placing accessories – ties, scarves, hose, etc. – in the pockets of the clothing or in sandwich bags poked through the hanger.
In arranging children’s outfits, place shorts, shirts, socks and underwear in sealable plastic bags, one for each day. Use miniature toiletries (shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste) to save space. Remember to wrap toiletries in plastic in the event that items leak. Also, if you are flying, do not fill bottles to the top because the pressure on board a plane may cause items to expand. Pack a collapsible or expandable bag to bring home items you purchase on the trip.
Tips: Keep medicine, cash, jewelry, cameras and other valuables with you. Lock luggage to avoid accidental openings; carry the keys with you. Identify luggage both inside and outside with your name, address and phone number. Use a business address so others do not have the address of your empty home.
Tape a list of packing contents to the inside of your suitcase. Not only will this serve as a packing checklist, but it will identify your possessions if the bag is lost.
Remove old claim checks to avoid confusing baggage handlers if traveling by plane.
If traveling by plane, pack a change of clothes in a carry-on bag in the event luggage is lost. This also works well if traveling by car. If you need to stop overnight on the way to your vacation destination, a small tote with necessary toiletries, a change of clothes and sleepwear prevents you from having to unpack all your luggage. (But don’t leave luggage in the car unattended overnight.)
For the kids, pack a backpack, tote or beach bag with activities such as coloring books, crayons, stickers, books, etc., for the car or plane. They can reuse the bag for storing souvenirs on the way home. Also, consider small, inexpensive, wrapped presents to give to kids intermittently during the car or plane trip to fight boredom; it takes time to open the gifts and then they can play with the new item inside.
For international travel, take along an electrical adapter kit for electrical items such as a hair dryer, razor, etc. If you plan to fly with golf clubs, skis or other special luggage, check with the airline to see whether special containers for these items are available.
Check with airlines for provisions for traveling with pets.
On planes, bring on board bottles of water and snacks in case turbulence delays service.
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Sources: American Society of Travel Agents Inc.; Samsonite; Harrison Luggage.
