How to Pack and Prepare for a Weekend Trip

Are you planning an overnight visit to a friend or family member's house? Of course, some hosts will have everything you need, but sometimes we find that we miss the comforts of our OWN home.

This guide will serve as a list of articles you might need, so pick and choose what you'll pack and what you can leave at home. Some things you might not have thought of, especially if you just don't travel often. On the other hand, I got pretty good at it, since few years ago I had to travel 3 hours away to Mom's for one weekend each month for school.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Suitcase
• Any of the following items

1. 
   Organize your travel suitcase

   The most obvious thing to pack is of course, clothing. The best way to be comfortable is to plan to dress in layers, so if you are too warm you can take off a sweatshirt or sweater and have something short sleeved under it. Dress appropriately for the weather as well.
   
   Another thing to think about is how casual or dressy your clothes should be. If you tend to dress casually on weekends, it's still a good idea to pack something dressy too, just in case you go out somewhere special. If the opposite is true and you normally dress up, bring something casual in case you need to be more comfortable or end up doing something outdoors. Therefore, I suggest you bring an EXTRA outfit with you.
   
   Your list for 2 days:
   3 light shirts (at least one should be dressy, at least 1 should be casual)
   1 sweater/sweatshirt
   3 pair of pants or skirts (at least one should be dressy, at least 1 should be casual)
   1 pair of shoes (if you're wearing a casual pair, pack dressy ones, and vice versa)
   3 sets of undergarments
   3 pair of socks or stockings
   Jewelery/accessories
   
   Other: umbrella, raincoat

2. 
   Remember travel items

   Now think about what toiletries you will need. Again, your host might have everything you need, or you might have a specific facial cleanser or something that you prefer to use, so decide which of the following you need, and what you can leave at home:
   
   Toothbrush and toothpaste
   Soap
   Facial cleanser and moisturizer
   Loofa
   Shampoo and conditioner
   Deodorant
   Make up
   Hairbrush

3. Remember to bring any medications you use regularly.

4. 
   Travel items include work supplies

   Do you have any work you need to do while you're gone?
   
   If you are visiting a friend you don't see often, you would probably skip this step out of good manners. However, as I said, I had to visit my mom once each month for school. So I did need to bring things with me to work on.
   
   Paperwork
   Books
   Memory card/stick

5. Miscellaneous:
   
   Cell phone or PDA charger
   Pillow (I had a hostess think it was strange that I did not bring my own pillow when I visited. I thought it was odd she didn't plan to provide me with one, but maybe I'm the one who was wrong, so I'm including it)

6. 
   Clean after you pack your travel suitcase

   Finally, I like to clean my house before I go. This might sound like added time and pressure when I already have a trip to get ready for. But I love walking in to a nice clean house when I get back, and feeling like it's great to be home.
   
   Tidy
   Wipe counters and dust
   Wash floors
   Spray Febreeze, Oust, or other air freshener
   Load and run the dishwasher
   Take out the trash
   
   If you'd like more travel ideas, I've included resource links. Good luck!

Resources

• More packing advice
• Travel abroad
• Passports
• Find cheap plane fares
• Compare hotel prices
• Hiking in England
• Plan a week in London

[vallain]

on 4/11/2009 I'm heading out for a trip this week, so your packing advice is helpful.

[Psalmist4M]

on 10/13/2008 Excellent. I try to keep a toiletries bag packed & always ready & just freshen the disposable items as needed. Thanks for the great ideas & tips. 5*s cherylgoff.com