How long before you leave do you pack?

[FatCow]

You guys must think I'm nuts.

My trip won't be until Feb 15 '04. I started packing yesterday!.

I'll be bringin 3 suitcases (one tiny sized, one small sized, and one medium sized). The first two suitcases are be filled with instant noodles, cup-a-soup, vitamins, sinus medication, athritis medication, portable electric pot, toothbrushes and toothpaste.

I haven't started with the third one because I'll still need to have all my clothing (we don't have that much clothing to begin with).

From the 5-day breakfasts, 4-day dinners and 2-day lunches, we can easily save about US$500 for the entire trip.

 

[Speed Weasel]

All y'all (Yes, I'm a Texan) are making me feel like the board weirdo!

Here is my packing schedule...
6-8 hours before plane departure time - start (yes, start) doing laundry.
3-4 hours before plane departure time - start packing.
2 hours before plane departure time - load car, head to airport.(Dallas traffic is a pain!)
1-1.5 hours before plane departure time - arrive at airport, check-in.

Now, we do have a DD on the way, Hailey Marie , and that might alter the schedule a little, but I still think that packing schedules are a personality marker.

 

[helenm29]

We leave TWO WEEKS from today and I've been packing the things I don't use right now and don't want to forget like bathing suits, shorts, etc. because I am WILL forget them if I get too close to leaving and go into a panic! I once forget everyones SHOES when we went on a trip! SCARY huh?

 

[UKAnnie]

We leave for the airport around lunchtime so I will probably pack a couple of hours before we leave. DH and I pack our own. Can't think why anyone would want to have suitcases lying around for weeks before you leave! Don't they get in the way? Even seeing them in a spare bedroom would annoy me!

I usually begin the week before we leave making a list BUT only the things I may forget go on the list - it isn't comprehensive.

I don't worry if I forget a few items - it gives me the perfect opportunity to buy more in Florida.

To each his own, I know packing early gives a lot of people extra anticipation of the holiday, but it isn't a turn-on for me.

We leave 27th November with DD and SIL and she has already started to stockpile stuff on her spare bed, ready to pack!

Ann.

 

[Princess_Eeyore]

Firstly, I would defintely pack before Christmas - just makes it easier for yourself. I think packing is a lot of fun ... I have been packing for the last couple weeks - you know everytime I remember something I throw it into the suitcase ... but I probably would do some last minute packing too - hehehehe

 

[Efastpitch]

Usually start laying things out in the guest bedroom a week before we go.

 

[chirsty'smom]

If I were you I would problably do most of the packing BEFORE Christmas.

We are leaving Christmas Morning after the presents are opened - we live only 2 1/2hr. from WDW. But it's a total surprise for the 4 yr old so I'm actually packing the 23rd and 24th after he goes to sleep. I can't chance spoiling this well planned surprise!

 

[mcgrawfan]

I do all the laundry and packing the night before. I do make a packing list about 2 months before and always have a mental list going on of what we need. The weekend before we leave I have to clean the house. For some reason I HAVE to come home to a clean house.

 

[belleandthebeast]

I don't feel so obsessed now. We are leaving in 18 days and I packed 2 1/2 months ago. People always laugh when I tell them that. I have always been a last minute packer. Not this time!

I am PREPARED!

 

[Heyyall]

I LOVE PACKING! I start a little bag filled with stuff, as soon as shorts season goes out, I pack those...and I do a little at a time. I have my list however, at least a year ahead, so I can write in the little spaces next to it exactly what shorts, shirts, etc. I want to take with me. Its better to get the packing over with, than waiting for the night before and forgetting stuff.

 

[bratdeb]

We leave in three days, and I have not started yet!!!It's a suprise for the kids so I guess to be safe I won't pack till they go to bed the night before. Its just hard with work and exams at school. I have been holding clothes over to the side.

 

[LoriMistress]

I started packing a week or two before I leave (film, sunblock, medicane, water bottles, etc.). But the day before our trip we pack our clothing, toiletries...etc.

 

[helenm29]

I'M OUTTA HERE!!!

I'll give you the scoop when I get back....I've got such butterflies! I HATE flying. Love you all!!

 

[Viss845]

2 weeks to get all my things together and checking the check list i made a while before that...

 

[Starz723]

I hate to pack! I am an eleventh hour person.
I will start 1 week before with a few things then stop. I keep a toiletrie bag always ready. Then, I really pack the day before. I always seem to bring stuff I never use. I did underpack once (thats hard to believe). I didnt bring enough t-shirts for my son and not enough underwear for myself..I was doing wash at WDW. I really diont want to do that again. This past vacation I did pretty good and used most of what I packed.

 

[catherines_mama]

I will probably pack 1 mos ahead. As soon as I get the Holiday decorations up in the attic, I will pull out the suitcases and start to pack. For me its easy because right now... ITS COLD... but to pack for Disney I can pack our warm weather clothes and it wont affect us. I will probably then throw in the sweaters and jeans the week of.

I wish I could pack NOW NOW NOW! And go NOW NOW NOW. *sniff*sniff* but I cannot.

Deedee B.

 

[pampam]

I make an extensive packing list. Every time I think of something I add it. Also, when I see something I want to take and I know I won't be needing it before I go I put it on the spare bed. Even 2-3 months ahead. Then, about 3 weeks ahead, I pack. I need time without interference. Of course, everything is assembled pretty much by that time. Last minute things are stuffed into the carry on. I don.t want to open the suitcase in case I never get it closed again. Even at this point of being organized, I still forgot all my socks and had to make a run to Wallmart. Some people name their cars. I have named my suitcase Big Red,and many of my friends tease me and ask if I have packed Big Red, or How is Big Red doing. I like to pack as soon as is practical. It gives me time to rememer things I may have forgotten, and less stress.

 

[Tiggerlover91]

I start packing clothes about 30 days prior to our trip. I usually go out and buy a few new shirts here and there for DH and I, and for him a few new shorts. I purchase leggings for me, but on this next trip, I might do the shorts thing since I'm down 30 pounds and look a little better in shorts.
I start packing toiletries about a week before.
If I could start packing now for my next trip, I would, but that's a good 2 years away!!

 

[HaleyB]

I am a wanna be organized person so I will start packing way early and feel proud of myself. I will get some things packed and make a to do list. I will then forget all about packing untill the week we leave. I will not be able to find the to do list. I will have to unpack what is packed to see what is there and what I need. One of my kids will have some sort of major accident or illness or trama and distract me for two days. Then two days before we will be leaving I will get back to it. Sometime around midnight the night before we are leaving (and getting up at 5am) I will be ready to go. I will not be able to sleep. Several hours into the trip I will realize I forgot vitial thing X. We will either call a pharmacy or make do with out, depending on what it is. We always have a great time and never seem to need any of the forgotton items anyway (except that one time... but it was really a good thing because I found the cutest bathing suit in the ship store... but that is another story.)
I pack light and do laundry because it is easier all the way around.

 

[da disney fans]

I never pack until, at the very earliest, one day in advance.

I was a flight attendant for two years and am a professional packer at this point. On the last trip I took, to California to visit my family for a week, I didn't start packing until about 2 hours before leaving for the airport.

For this trip, since we are leaving home for the airport at 3am Monday (stopping along the way to have breakfast with MIL and SIL), I'll start packing on Saturday.