When you’re planning a vacation or business trip, packing is often left to the last minute due to other chores and obligations. Having a list of things is a practical way to ensure you don’t forget an essential item that will be sorely missed once you’re on the road. Start gathering your trip items a few days before departure and leave your worries at home.
Medicines
Remember to check your prescriptions to be sure you have enough to last for the duration of your trip; also pack over-the-counter drugs that you might need when traveling, such as aspirin, ibuprofen, antacids and cold medicine. Don’t forget any vitamins and supplements you take on a regular basis.
Emergency Kits
Assemble or purchase a first aid kit with bandages, sterile wipes and antibiotic cream; a sewing kit with needles, threads, a needle threader and a few spare buttons is a must have, too.
Health and Beauty
Purchase travel sized bottles of your favorite shampoo, conditioner and hand lotion; razor, shaving cream and body soap should also be packed. Add sunscreen and sunburn lotion to this part of the list, as well as an extra toothbrush and toothpaste.
Contact Numbers
Pack a list of contact phone numbers including next of kin, family members and your insurance company, as well as your address book so you can send postcards to friends and family. Don’t forget to include your neighbor or whoever is house-sitting while you’re gone.
Optical Necessities
Include an extra pair of eyeglasses, sunglasses and contact lenses, and don’t forget the accessories that go with them such as cases, cleaning solutions and saline solution. Carry a copy of your prescription in your wallet.
Clothing
Add extra clothing to your packing list and include items for inclement weather such as a raincoat and umbrella; an extra swimsuit and cover-up is a good idea too. Pack a mesh laundry bag so you don’t misplace your laundry.
Itinerary
Remember to pack an extra copy of your itinerary. Aadd any maps, local information and travel guides as well as a copy of reservations and car rental agreements and any computer-generated driving directions.
Electronics
Remember to pack any electronics you’ll want to have on your trip, such as your camera, video recorder and laptop computer; buy extra camera batteries so you’re not caught unprepared while away from home.
Entertainment
Pack a variety of books, magazines and crossword puzzle books to fill in time when you are traveling or waiting in line. Include a couple of notebooks and pens so you can keep a journal or jot down important ideas while away.
Comfort Items
Think of any items that might make you more comfortable when traveling, in case you have problems adjusting to a strange place. Consider packing your favorite bed pillow, a travel neck pillow and a heating pad for extra comfort on the road.
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