How late do you leave packing?

[BLAZEY]

Suitcases are out about a week before departure. Laundry is done a couple of days before and clothes are added. Fully packed the night before departure, with the exception of a few items needed the next morning. DD can be packed easily as she has so many clothes, she doesn't need to wait for me to do the last load of laundry.

 

[disneychrista]

The day/night before. I usually leave early AM. so the car gets packs the night before.

 

[BlueStarryHat]

I pack the day before, but I usually throw a few things into a suitcase as I think of them, and then cross them off my packing list. I write the list a couple of weeks before and it sits here next to me so I can add to it as I think of stuff.

 

[DopeyDame]

Another night before person. If the flight is later in the day, maybe I'll wait until that morning, but I find that stresses me out a bit. I'm not sure how or why I'd pack earlier than that.

 

[Miffy]

Night before, but if I've got enough time to get to the airport or train station, then the morning of. It takes me very little time to pack. And I have a list. Without the list, I'd probably start packing 15 minutes earlier!

 

[Julylady]

I always finish packing the Sunday night prior to a trip. Several years ago I would leave packing until 1-2 days before. One year we had a major project at work that required my unexpected attention just prior to the trip. I got home from work at 11pm with a flight out at 7am and I hadn't packed a thing. It was super stressful and not a good way to begin a trip. Now I spend time the weekend before. I also set out a plastic storage container in the spare room about 6 weeks prior to the trip and toss things I want to be sure to pack in that container. This way works much better for me!

 

[loves to dive]

The night before unless it's a dive trip and for those we start about a week before so we can test everything and can run out and get anything we need and can weigh everything and shift things around.

 

[DopeyDame]

I always finish packing the Sunday night prior to a trip. Several years ago I would leave packing until 1-2 days before. One year we had a major project at work that required my unexpected attention just prior to the trip. I got home from work at 11pm with a flight out at 7am and I hadn't packed a thing. It was super stressful and not a good way to begin a trip. Now I spend time the weekend before. I also set out a plastic storage container in the spare room about 6 weeks prior to the trip and toss things I want to be sure to pack in that container. This way works much better for me!

I've seen a few people (here and in other threads) talk about throwing things into containers over the few weeks before a trip. Help me understand how that works. What are you packing that goes in those containers so far in advance? Mostly what I pack I also need in my regular day to day life. I can't be without clothes or toiletries for six weeks as it's sitting in a container. I guess maybe ponchos, but I can't really think of anything else that i would pack that I for sure wouldn't need in the weeks before the trip.

 

[hopemax]

The week before, I start a pile of stuff like my camera stuff, plugs (for international), pins and coins if we are going to Disney (for trading and pressed pennies), travel guides, books for the plane. Stuff like that. I pull out the suitcases 2 days before, and pack either then or the day before. I don't like waiting too long, because on a couple of our recent trips we've ended up with an emergency plumber and an emergency vet visit. That stressed me out enough, I don't need the added concern of "and I haven't even started packing." My parents were always last minute packers. I was on a cruise with them when my Dad forgot to pack the right size pants (he packed his "skinny" pants. And the fighting and blaming... I just don't need that. So I don't need to pack super early, but enough to make sure things are right and have time if something unexpected pops up.

 

[FairestOfThemAll37]

I've seen a few people (here and in other threads) talk about throwing things into containers over the few weeks before a trip. Help me understand how that works. What are you packing that goes in those containers so far in advance? Mostly what I pack I also need in my regular day to day life. I can't be without clothes or toiletries for six weeks as it's sitting in a container. I guess maybe ponchos, but I can't really think of anything else that i would pack that I for sure wouldn't need in the weeks before the trip.

Well for me, I use my spare bedroom bed but it’s the same concept. I generally only do this for trips that have several different components. I also do this 1-2 weeks ahead not 6.

If I’m traveling anywhere where I have access to a pool, I’ll bring a suit. I have plenty to put one or two aside and have enough for day to day. I’ll usually put aside dressier outfits for a dinner or an occasion. I also put aside PJs early, I wash mine everyday anyway and have maybe 7 pair so I can set aside a few and not notice for a week or two.

I generally decant my skincare stuff or bring samples of my normal stuff that I’ve collected so I’ll pack those early. I have sunscreen stashed in about 10 different places for easy access so I’ll throw one aside. I have makeup that I usually travel with so I’ll just do all my cosmetics early.

I always wear flip flops so if I need real shoes, I’ll put socks aside or I’ll forget. I usually go ahead and set the actual shoes aside too.

I’ll get out the plane purse I want to take and put my passport, hand wipes, phone battery pack, headphones etc. in there so it’s ready minus my wallet and phone.

If I need a coat, I will put that aside early so I don’t forget.

Honestly, I could put all my clothes aside early, but I don’t. For some reason I pack those 1 day before.

I think it all depends on how much stuff you take with you and how much stuff you have that is dedicated to travel. I have a lot of stuff that’s basically just for travel. I essentially have a travel (city type travel, if I’m going tropical I tend to bring more of my day to day stuff) wardrobe.

I think it also depends on how much stuff you have in general. If you have 1-2 swimsuits then you probably can’t pack one weeks in advance but if you have 10 you probably can.

 

[stsomewhere]

We booked a last minute cruise on a Saturday at noon. We were in the car to drive from Detroit to FL by 5PM. We had to get all of our summer clothes out of storage, pack, get animal food and drop animals off at pet sitter. It was crazy. The cruise left on Monday out of Miami.

 

[Micca]

I've seen a few people (here and in other threads) talk about throwing things into containers over the few weeks before a trip. Help me understand how that works. What are you packing that goes in those containers so far in advance? Mostly what I pack I also need in my regular day to day life. I can't be without clothes or toiletries for six weeks as it's sitting in a container. I guess maybe ponchos, but I can't really think of anything else that i would pack that I for sure wouldn't need in the weeks before the trip.

I agree! In principle I'm all for packing way ahead, but I'm gonna use this stuff up until a day or two before I leave. Maybe people have more clothes and supplies than me.
I make a list ahead of time detailing what I need to take. I might start the list a week or two before departing but nothing gets packed until a day or two before we leave.
I'll take the opportunity to mention that as a frequent Disney traveler this is part of the allure of DVC and Owner's Locker. You don't pack much because you already have stuff there and there are laundry facilities in the room so you can wash & re-use.

 

[dotfurio]

I pack a few days before so I have time to do laundry. If I waited til the last minute my luck the kids wouldn’t have anything decent clean.

 

[Nohal]

I guess I'm in the minority here as I pack way ahead likes weeks. My large suitcase has things for Disney in it already (ponchos, laundry bag, Disney purse, Disney earrings) as I only use these things in Disney. Start putting together travel size toothpaste, toothbrush, hair spray, shave cream etc. Actual clothes I get together probably a week before and the suitcase gets packed the day before the trip. However, we came back from our Disney trip in October and most of what we took is all ready to go into the suitcase for our January trip as we wouldn't be wearing our summer clothes anymore.

 

[Domo]

Tomorrow is my last day at home. The packing commences...

 

[Kitty 34]

Depends on where I'm going. DH and I and one of our sons and DIL will be spending a night at the casino a few days before Christmas. That, I will pack for the day of. When we go on big vacations to Vegas, for example, I definitely start packing a good week before.

Happy packing Domo!!!

 

[FairestOfThemAll37]

I guess I'm in the minority here as I pack way ahead likes weeks. My large suitcase has things for Disney in it already (ponchos, laundry bag, Disney purse, Disney earrings) as I only use these things in Disney. Start putting together travel size toothpaste, toothbrush, hair spray, shave cream etc. Actual clothes I get together probably a week before and the suitcase gets packed the day before the trip. However, we came back from our Disney trip in October and most of what we took is all ready to go into the suitcase for our January trip as we wouldn't be wearing our summer clothes anymore.

You wear summer clothes in Orlando in January?!?

 

[Nohal]

You wear summer clothes in Orlando in January?!?

Short sleeve shirts and capris and DH will take a pair of shorts. Can you tell we have never been in January before so packing for all seasons.

 

[MaryLovesPoohBear]

I've seen a few people (here and in other threads) talk about throwing things into containers over the few weeks before a trip. Help me understand how that works. What are you packing that goes in those containers so far in advance? Mostly what I pack I also need in my regular day to day life. I can't be without clothes or toiletries for six weeks as it's sitting in a container. I guess maybe ponchos, but I can't really think of anything else that i would pack that I for sure wouldn't need in the weeks before the trip.

Gosh, I put a bunch in.

I include some food. Stuff I won't wear between now and then. I only swim while on vacation, so my swimsuit. Anything that we use for travel. And my "stuff for the car," like my knitting project, book, coloring and Sudoku.

 

[NYCgrrl]

I pack as early as possible and how early depends on many factors:seasonal wardrobe change can be months in advance, how many trips are scheduled in a specific time period, etc.

For our forthcoming winter DW trip I packed the bulk of my stuff in the early fall. This makes my life easier as I pack and repack the other household members in the final moments at times. Am also a ruthless wardrobe editor. If an item can't be worn at least twice out it goes.