Early Packing

[Forever a Princess]

Hi All!

I started the packing process for DH and I this past weekend. We leave for our trip on December 4th. We will be at Disney from the 4th to the 13th. This leaves little time for us to get ready for Christmas when we get back.

Last year I started packing the weekend before we left. We also were doing the Christmas cards, wrapping presents and putting out the Christmas decorations.

This led to a big meltdown!!!!! This year I'm way ahead of the game.

I have our Christmas cards planned. Christmas presents for nieces and nephew are purchased. I feel better already.

Last year I got a big migraine when we arrived at Disney. Hopefully I can prevent that this year.

Renee

 

[goin2disneyagain]

Sounds like you have a good plan to me. You don't want to worry about all that when you are trying to enjoy your trip.


Have fun!!

 

[susy]

I would concentrate on getting all of your Christmas shopping done and get those cards finished. That way when you get back, you can just mail them, put up the tree and wrap gifts. Done!

As far as packing, I always set out the suitcases somewhere and start packing everything we won't use until then. As the days get closer, I start ironing the clothes and putting them into the suitcases, checking thing off on my list as I go.

The night before, I use a highlighter to highlight everything on my list that I haven't packed yet (toothbrush, curling iron, makeup etc). The next morning, I cross those things off after I've used them and packed them.

 

[Annie&Hallie'sMom]

We're going in the same time frame as you, and although I haven't hauled out the big suitcase yet, I did pull out my carry on and fill it with some supplies which we purchased at Harmon Cosmetics (sample size stuff -- make sure we have Tums, benedryl, dramamine, etc.).

Most of my Christmas shopping is already done (hey, I started at the January sales!). Holiday card will be worked on over the Thanksgiving weekend. DH will put up the tree on the day after thanksgiving (while I work) and we will decorate that night.

I still feel like I am not organized enough yet!

 

[DumboFan]

I've got most of my DD's things set out for our DCL & WDW vacation. I can't actually pack them b/c we bought her her own set of luggage for her upcoming birthday! I decided there was no reason to store her summer things & just pull them back out next month! The only things I'll have to throw in are some pants & long-sleeve shirts. Have the sweatshirts packed already b/c she'll be wearing Christmas ones!

 

[BamaTigger]

We are leaving Thanksgiving evening after our family dinner, and Im the one doing all the cooking (AGAIN) , so I have yet to started packing.

But, I will start next week, and I figured I might do this...I am going to start cooking my dinner a week before Turkey Day and freeze some of my side dishes (corn casserole, dressing, etc) that way I wont be so tired for the drive to Disney.

Then after we eat, Im gonna leave all the dishes and mess to my family members(except my handicapped step-mom) because they NEVER help cook or clean up after I DO ALL THE WORK! THEN I WILL BE ON MY WAY TO DISNEY!!!!!!! HAHAHAHAHAHA!!

Is that mean? LOL

 

[Forever a Princess]

BamaTigger,

Sounds legit to me. If you spend hours cooking, someone else can help clean up the mess.

Have a great time on your trip.

Renee

 

[momof2OH]

We are also leaving on Thanksgiving Day, in the morning. We plan on having turkey and the trimmings the day before. I haven't even started any packing...ugh! I guess I should get moving and get some stuff together.

Hope everyone has a safe and fun trip!!

 

[DVC-LEROY]

This may be a bit too early - but I actually start re-packing the minute I get home for the next trip. I don't go as far as getting all the clothes packed - but - I get all the toiletries restocked, ponchos, disposable cameras, bathing suit, etc. and I go through my list of "things for next time" that I make during every trip. It makes it so much easier to go anywhere - WDW or any other vacation.

 

[BamaTigger]

Originally posted by Forever a Princess
BamaTigger,

Sounds legit to me. If you spend hours cooking, someone else can help clean up the mess.

Have a great time on your trip.

Renee

Thank you Princess! This will be the first time in YEARS that I won't actually be cleaning up, everyone always expects me to do it, so I do, and this year I AIN'T DOING IT!!!!

WOOOHOOOOO!

 

[beattyfamily]

We're leaving the Saturday after Thanksgiving, Nov 29.

I had my DH bring the suitcases down from the attic in September!! He thought I was crazy!

I've thrown a bunch of stuff in it already...summer clothes, travel size toiletries, some villa stuff like sugar packs and coffee.

I'll get more serious as it gets to be about one or 2 weeks.

I've already written out the Chrismtas cards! I'm hoping to get my DH to pull out the Christmas decorations before we leave and get a tree as soon as we get back. That's the plan anyway!

I've only bought my DD's xmas presents so far but that's a good dent in my shopping!

 

[Forever a Princess]

Beattyfamily,

That is so awesome that you have your Christmas cards written out.

Last year I had mine done the 1st week of December. We had went down to Disney about the same time frame that we are going this year. Thus I wouldn't have had the time to get my cards done when I got back. Anway I'm rambling and I'll get to the point. A close friend of mine was giving me a lot of gaff about me having my Christmas cards done early and that I had my Christmas stuff up in early December.

Because of that I held back in doing what I needed to get done and ended up packikng, wrapping presents, finishing cards etc the Saturday before we left (left on Sunday). The fault of that is my own. I knew that by going to Disney that this wiped out two weekends in December plus a week in between the weekends.

This year I'm going to do what I need to do. This weekend I'm really going to dig in. So what if the Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas decorations will be side by side (for a very short time of course. LOL). My goal will not to have a meltdown this year and stay migriane free when on my trip at Disney World.

Thanks you all for listening and sorry such a long post.

Renee

 

[beattyfamily]

Originally posted by Forever a Princess
Beattyfamily,

That is so awesome that you have your Christmas cards written out.

Last year I had mine done the 1st week of December. We had went down to Disney about the same time frame that we are going this year. Thus I wouldn't have had the time to get my cards done when I got back. Anway I'm rambling and I'll get to the point. A close friend of mine was giving me a lot of gaff about me having my Christmas cards done early and that I had my Christmas stuff up in early December.

Because of that I held back in doing what I needed to get done and ended up packikng, wrapping presents, finishing cards etc the Saturday before we left (left on Sunday). The fault of that is my own. I knew that by going to Disney that this wiped out two weekends in December plus a week in between the weekends.

This year I'm going to do what I need to do. This weekend I'm really going to dig in. So what if the Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas decorations will be side by side (for a very short time of course. LOL). My goal will not to have a meltdown this year and stay migriane free when on my trip at Disney World.

Thanks you all for listening and sorry such a long post.

Renee

I should have said after I mentioned I did my cards that I did get razed by my DH. He, of course, thinks I CRAZY!!

I actually was afraid to mention that they were done here so thank you for thinking it's perfectly 'normal'!!

All I have left to do with them is buy Xmas stamps and put them on!!

 

[diane1102]

You guys are scaring me! We are leaving on Dec 9. I thought I was doing fine, until I started reading this stuff. We planned our itinerary and got all our PS's last month. Got my MVMCP tickets and arranged the towncar. I planned on packing the weekend before we leave! (but I did make a list already!)

I was going to do my Christmas shopping over the next few weeks. And I actually started making a list yesterday. And I thought about writing my cards on Thanksgiving weekend.

Please tell me I'm OK. You overachievers are killing me!!!!

 

[snowgooseltd]

We leave the morning after Thanksgiving. I've begun to iron my husband's Disney golf shirts...he has about a dozen, and have put together the bathing suits and night clothes and all our toilet articles. Last year we were there for Thanksgiving week and the following week. It was a first, being away from home for Thanksgiving, and even though the entire (14) family was there, it still wasn't the same. The result....this year we leave the day after. We're decorating the weekend before we leave ( an artificial tree ) and my cards are purchased, but not written yet. They'll be done by next weekend. Most of our gifts are purchased. We facilitated it this year...one big gift for each grandchild and child. My husband and I don't exchange gifts...our trip is our gift. Our children will join us during the 16 days that we're there, for a few days, and the rest of the time we get to do what we like...tours, Cirque, CP almost every night, etc. I don't think any of you are obsessive. One poster made a good point about feeling silly because her family thought she was overplanning and wound up rushing before she left and probably worrying that she'd not gotten everything done while she was there, thus lessening the enjoyment of her trip. Get as much holiday chores done before your trip so you don't feel overwhelmed when you return.
One tip...make a list of what you're packing, as you pack it, or you'll end up rummaging through the bags, wondering if you've already put certain things in. Have a great trip!!

 

[helenm29]

OOOOOHH! I know what you mean about getting a migrain! We are going from Dec.3-11th and I have started decorating the house for Christmas (inside) already! We are the type of people who go ALL OUT for Christmas decorating so it is a MUST do situation but there will only be about 2 weeks to go when we get back so we will do all but the yard decorations and have the neighbors watch the house. We will be Christmas shopping for the next couple of weeks and wrapping as soon as we get them although, I don't know where we will put the presents! (HAHA)
HAVE FUN!

 

[trola2]

Thanks for starting this thread. Now I have more on my list to mark off!! Seriously, I must be a ding dong because we always go early December and I NEVER get the Christmas cards done and regret that. I just never thought of doing them before. ha!

One thing that we do is pack our toiletry bag about 2 months in advance. We buy everything new...from toothbrushes to razors to large bottles of shampoo. Then there is very little to actually pack the morning of the trip. When you get home, they are just your extras you need of the things you will eventually run out of. also helps to move that expense well forward of the trip....

Thanks again for the thread! We'll be there Dec 5-13! Can't wait!
~~Beth