Weekend trips are such a great opportunity to recharge your energy quickly and get back to your normal routine, revived with a refreshed enthusiasm. In order to make the most of your short break, it helps when it is well-structured, giving you plenty of relaxing moments amongst your other high-paced activities. One of the most stressful things during the preparation time for your trip is packing.
I believe this shouldn’t be the case, so I put together an easy-to-follow procedure to help you pack efficiently and with a peace of mind. Follow the structured approach below to make sure you never forget your essentials and allow yourself a relaxing holiday preparation time.
Know the purpose of your trip
Having the purpose of your trip in mind serves as the best guidance for packing. Think about your destination and what activities you are likely to do there. This will dictate the type of clothes you are going to wear and accessories, if any. For example, if you are going to a countryside, you want to pack comfortable clothes, jeans and a jumper in case you get cold in a cottage; on the other hand, a fancy birthday party will require some smart clothes, jewellery and a make-up kit. Some common weekend trips are shown in the table below.
Know the season and the weather
Second most important factor to consider when packing is the weather in your destination. Have the season in mind and check the weather forecast three days before you travel. Note the temperatures and any likelihood of precipitation. Remember, these can be very different to the climate of the place you are traveling from. The table below gives you a starting point to packing for each of the four seasons.
Hotel accessories
Standard things are often available in hotel rooms. They provide towels, an iron, basic toiletries and a hairdryer. The availability of such items will vary according to a hotel chain you are staying at. Check what is included in yours.
Choose your bag wisely
Alright, now the time has come to start packing, finally! The key to success here is to start by choosing a bag with a correct size that matches the specific amount of days you are going away for. A tote handbag or a backpack is enough for an overnight stay, whereas for a 2-to-3-day trip, a 10 kg trolley bag will suffice. Remember, weekend escapes don’t require check-in bags! Pack light.
Essentials
Essentials are items that you carry with yourself regardless of how long the trip you are going for is. These items are normally kept in your closest reach, like a handbag or a duffle bag. These are the things you absolutely can’t leave your house without, so check out the list below before you travel.
Clothes
As you know from the previous sections, the types of clothes you take are depended on the purpose of your travel, the season and the weather. However, there are some items of clothing you will likely need regardless of where you are going on your weekend escape. The table below provides details and is organised according to the length of your stay.
Toiletries & Cosmetics
You will need a good set of toiletries even if you are staying only one night. Maximise the space in your luggage for other necessities with a set of travel toiletries. You can also buy a set of small re-usable bottles and fill them with cosmetics yourself. I give here a list of essential toiletries for a weekend trip.
Accessories
Accessories are an amazing way to add a character to your look and keep it fresh throughout the weekend without having to pack extra clothes. I put together a list of accessories you may take with you to add your look that extra charm.
