How times flies – it only seems a moment ago that we were preparing for Christmas, talking present ideas and how to cook the perfect turkey dinner.

Over the next month or so, more and more people will be planning on going away again, trying to catch some early sun and warmth, and beat the summer rush.

It’s time to start thinking about where you want to go and what you’ll need to take. Packing well has always been a challenge, but with budget airlines getting ever stingier with their baggage allowance, you’re going to need all the help you can get!

Here are some packing tips for a family holiday.

The space game

There are plenty of things you can do to avoid having to starfish on top of your case while someone else tries to zip it up.

Inside the case

Firstly, if you can share one large case, you can save the weight of using two. Roll your clothes, don’t fold; it’ll save you space and keep creases out as well. Use packing cubes can help to make the most of what you have.

Choose the right gear

‘Do I really need to take that?’

You should be asking yourself this constantly. Try to pick outfits that you can mix up and use day and night, and take more tops than bottoms.

When it comes to shoes, invest in some springtime sandals. They’re light, comfy and you can get stylish, reasonably priced pairs from online retailers like Damart.

One more tip to make you a space-saving queen: try a sarong instead of a beach towel.

Additional extras

Maximise your hand luggage allowance and have your carry-on bursting at the seams if you need it to!

Also, see if the kids can take hand luggage; you could be afforded a couple more bags.

Plan ahead

If you enjoy making lists, then you’ll love holiday packing!

It’s so easy to forget something when packing for a holiday as there are so many different areas to consider, so the more time you can spend on a list, the better. You’ll thank yourself down the line.

Think about your destination as well. What will the weather be like? What activities will you be doing? What will the kids need?

Looking ahead not only makes the packing process stress-free but also makes it less likely that you’ll have forgotten something you need when you get there.

No need to worry

If you do end up forgetting something, it’s really not the end of the world. Fundamentally, if you have your passport and your credit card, you’re pretty much good to go.

These days, almost anywhere you’re travelling to will have anything you need readily available to buy. This helps with the space element too. Take (or don’t take) toiletries for example; you’ll be better off picking them up there than unnecessarily clogging up your suitcase with bottles of shampoo and sun cream. It also saves a spillage disaster in the case!

It’s most definitely not the fun part of going away, but getting the packing right means you’ve got one less thing to worry about on your big holiday.

*Collaborative post

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A packing checklist for our summer holiday 10 tips on how to budget your next family summer holiday 5 packing tips for a month-long honeymoon An easy guide to planning the perfect family holiday