PLAN YOUR OUTFITS
Throwing half your wardrobe into your suitcase is always unnecessary and we all take at least one item of clothing that we know we're not going to wear but "just in case". Deciding what you plan on wearing beforehand is the best way to keep clothing to a minimum. You want to make sure you pack for both warm and cold depending on your destination so pick clothes that would be good for both. Pick items that you can wear in different ways; say a top that goes with your jeans but always you skirt- gives you less to pack and hopefully a little more room in your suitcase to bring back some souvenirs.
WILL I USE THIS?
I kind of just touched on this but try not take things for the sake of being a comfort but more if they are practical for the holiday. Don't take up half your suitcase with stonkingly big 500-page long hardback books that you might not get time to read instead download it on your phone or as an audiobook. I don't see the point in taking all my lotions and potions just in case I have a breakout. I'd rather it simple- take the basics and hope for the best and if you find you need that spot cream you left behind...
BUY IT WHEN YOU'RE THERE
All countries have shampoo, conditioner, body wash. If you really want to cut down don't take it- there'll be somewhere to buy it all when you're there. This is the case for most things so if you're really struggling with room in your suitcase, take out things you know you'll be able to get when you're there. Also duty-free; it's not always the cheapest to run into the boots at the airport but it does mean you don't have to worry about packing it just find it before your flight and store it in your hand luggage.
DECANT
When only allowed hand luggage, I had to do this to stay under the 1litre limit and it also helped reduce space taken up by toiletries. While I don't to be as precarious this time around, I never feel the need to take a whole 500ml bottle of shampoo. To last me five days, putting a 100ml into a smaller bottle will do. This is the same with most of my toiletries that I don't want to buy something different but still want to take. Also minis! There's always a great choice of miniature favourites in Boots and Superdrug this time of the year and I managed to get everything I wanted. If you want to see more about the toiletries I take, here's those I took to China last year and I might do the same again for those I'm taking to Amsterdam.
MAKE THE MOST OF THE ROOM
There are so many packing hacks that you see online. Just type in "Packing Hacks" to Pinterest and you'll be amazed at the variety of ways to help you make the most out of your suitcase. Personally, I tend to opt for the rolling method. Rolling t-shirts keeps them from majorly creasing and giving me more room. With other items, I use my packing cubes in the past you can buy them cheap and easily from Ebay with them acting as a suitcase within a suitcase. Great, again, to keep things neat and also an easier way to find everything.
So I head to Amsterdam for a short break next week. Have you got any of your own packing tips?
I'd love to know!
Hope you're doing great,
Sarah x
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