What kinds of things have you (almost) forgotten to pack?

[martyshoney]

I wear contacts and forgot to take my glasses on one trip to a water park, then almost lost one of the contacts!

Now, I make sure to take my glasses and/or another pair of contacts...

I was on my honeymoon and lost a contact and I refused to wear my glasses since we were at an all inclusive resort on the beach! Thankfully there was a girl there that saw what happened and she happened to work for an eye doctor and had "extra" lenses with her and it was so close to my Rx so she gave it to me!! I still can't believe that happened and learned a huge lesson after that! Thankfully I had LASIK and don't have that problem anymore!!

 

[tina.tina]

I forgot to take some of our trip money out of one bank and put it in the other. My sister did some breaking and entering at my home and got a check from one bank to take to my other bank and deposit. She wrote it out for $700 cash and lost the check on the way to the bank. She never found it. I was standing in the surf on Daytona Beach when she told me this and I about flipped. I had to scramble around and call my bank to stop payment on that check. My father in law put money in our account for us and we paid him back when we got home. It was an awful experience at the time!

We drove to WDW and didn't check the fluid levels until right before we left and had to buy antifreeze at the last minute.

 

[mwmom]

I rarely forget anything. I have a packing list that I typed years ago in Excel and have it organized by clothes, toiletries, house, and other. I have one section of things I always need to grab the morning we leave such as makeup, hair brush, etc. That being said, last year I forgot my mascara since I had the overall "makeup" listed, but it was something I could manage without (at least for 4 days! Had to finally cave and get some on a trip to Walgreens). I have wallet on the list, but I think I'll add driver's license and insurance card separately since PP's have forgotten those and that would be the one thing I couldn't do without!

If you don't have a list, make one! I promise it is worth the time and you don't have to keep redoing it. Just add things every once in a while as you read new ideas from others. When my DD came into my life (she was adopted as a baby), I made her a list. Of course, it has changed over the years as I have taken off the diaper bag list and replaced with entertainment (itouch, etc.)

Here are a few things I've added over the years in addition to the normal things...

water shoes
kleenex
medications
reading glasses (didn't need those when I originally created the list!)
car phone charger, room phone charger
nightlight
umbrella
print all tickets (forgot Mama Mia tickets on a trip to NY one time)
Maps

Well, that was a little long, but hope it helps someone!

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

PJ's.

 

[noahdove]

I have a special bag that I keep stocked at all times. Just to be sure if I am asked to go somewhere I am ready All toiletries, including travel size bath and body items, lavendar spray for my pillow, underwear that I only wear when I travel, my rain poncho and also and extra one, small flashlight, nightlight, tylenol. I also use a travel check list, especially for batteries, memory card etc.

 

[blakrose9999]

various trips i have forgotten different things.
weekend trip to parents... PJ's
hairbrush, toothbrush
last year I got sick b4 we went on vacation and had to pack the day before we left when i got home from work, in my haste i grabbed the wrong cell chargers. Due to this I have made and extensive list I have been reviewing for the past 2 months.

 

[jeremiahsmom]

I forgot to take some of our trip money out of one bank and put it in the other. My sister did some breaking and entering at my home and got a check from one bank to take to my other bank and deposit. She wrote it out for $700 cash and lost the check on the way to the bank. She never found it. I was standing in the surf on Daytona Beach when she told me this and I about flipped. I had to scramble around and call my bank to stop payment on that check. My father in law put money in our account for us and we paid him back when we got home. It was an awful experience at the time!

We drove to WDW and didn't check the fluid levels until right before we left and had to buy antifreeze at the last minute.

You get my vote for worst-case scenario...that would not be fun.

I forgot my son's halloween costume for the mnsshp and had to go out and buy a new one. He was pretty mad at me.

 

[schriverl]

Forgot the diapers and wipes one trip. Only had the couple that were in the diaper bag... Didn't realize it until we needed to add more to the bag and had to make a walmart trip immediately!!

 

[mkymouse40]

I have a wonderful packing list I created in Excel, but yet one year I still managed to forget my driver's license because I decided to switch to a little zipper pouch at the last minute instead of a wallet. We got to the airport, my husband did a quick tuck and roll, and left us (my daughter and I) on the curb (he wasn't going with us). At check-in I discovered no license. I called him on his cell and he raced home 1-1/2 hours minimum round trip). Needless to say...he didn't make it back in time. The flight was ready to leave and so they had him stop at a Fed Ex office, fax a copy to the airline, they let me board, and then he had to Fed Ex it to me. When we arrived in Florida, however, I was renting a car and, of course, they wouldn't rent it to me. We then had to pay for a Mears shuttle to get to the hotel. The next day, after I got my license by Fed Ex, I went to get my rental car, but they didn't have one for me. I then had to go to another location near Downtown Disney, but they only had a more expensive convertible left. I had to take the car; now most people would have enjoyed the convertible, but not us because both my daughter and I HATE, HATE, TO GET OUR HAIR MESSED UP!!! Well, needless to say, I hope to never forget my license again. Thinking back on it, we were very lucky they let me on the flight without it; I don't think that would happen these days.

P.S. - I love spreadsheets in Excel, especially for lists like this. I actually have a different one for each kind of trip, i.e. Disney, beach, short or weekend trip. My grown up kids just have me email them copies when they need to go somewhere and modify it for themselves. I have everything but the kitchen sink on it; oh wait, yep there's the sink, never mind, I have everything on it. Happy worry free traveling everyone!!

 

[katt789]

Last time I went I forgot to pack my watch! It was something we very much needed as we had travelled from Canada & didn't want to be using our phones down there. This time, it's already in my bag & we don't leave for another 10 days!

 

[Deesknee]

On my honeymoon trip I forgot our camera. My sweetheart of a brother shipped it overnight. I have THE best brother in the world.
Last trip I forgot my sneakers. If I had to forget someones sneakers, I'm atleast glad it was mine, since I spend most of my time in a wheelchair.
Regarding forgetting contact lenses/glasses.... we always bring a copy of our eye RX .. just in case somethiing happens. One of the best tips I ever got on these boards. never have had to use it, but I had never thought of it before. I can't imagine. We are all so poor sighted, we wouldn't be able to enjoy it much.

 

[princessbrulee]

This trip I forgot to pack my bathing suit. Not smart in August!

 

[KristiKat]

I forgot my swimsuit on our trip this year. The family just did the swimming thing while I watched because I refuse to pay that much for a swimsuit when I have a perfectly good one at home. It was still nice relaxing by the pool.

 

[MamaJessie]

Every time, it nevers fails, I always forget to pack my toothbrush . It always the last thing I leave out so I can use it before we go and I end up leaving it on the counter. Then we have to stop at the drug store on the way to the airport to get a new one so I don't have to buy a $10 Disney toothbrush. Maybe the next trip will be the first time I actually remember it, who am I kidding though really.

I bought some colgate ones on sale with a coupon and have those packed

I pack older toothbrushes ahead of time and throw them away at the resort/hotel.

Well forget packing the new ones - duh - this makes so much more sense! I am going to pack the old ones and throw them away when we leave. Thanks!!

 

[attagirl2]

Last year, after packing for my family of five- checking and double checking lists so that all the kiddos had everything they needed- we got to the hotel and I realized I didn't pack underwear for myself! Thankfully, they sell them at the hotel- though they run HUGE so I had to buy a second, smaller set! So now I have several pairs of Mickey undies--

My husband says they should say "The happiest place on earth" right on the undies!

 

[Gracedis1]

Last year, after packing for my family of five- checking and double checking lists so that all the kiddos had everything they needed- we got to the hotel and I realized I didn't pack underwear for myself! Thankfully, they sell them at the hotel- though they run HUGE so I had to buy a second, smaller set! So now I have several pairs of Mickey undies--

My husband says they should say "The happiest place on earth" right on the undies!

Funny husband! I have done that too - packed plenty for the kids and none for myself. I have also forgotten my swimsuit, extra glasses (the pair I was wearing disappeared in the ocean), socks, razor and many other things. Looks like I'm going to be making a packing spreadsheet for my next trip!

 

[DizMagic]

i am ocd and always check multiple times before i leave on a trip to make sure i have everything on my list. for some reason on one of my trips last year i was half way down the road on our 8 hour drive when i realized my trading pins were not in the bag. i called one of the girls in my office (thankfully they all have keys to my house). she went over, got the pins and ups'ed them next day air. i still cant believe i did that. needless to say - pins are the first thing packed from now on.

 

[MamaJessie]

extra glasses (the pair I was wearing disappeared in the ocean),

Oh no!! That would be terrible!

 

[LuvLuvLuv]

the sharpener for my lipliner and eyeliner.... yes--this was semi-tragic and i had to hit the givenchy store immediately.

 

[scrappinginontario]

Just returned 2 days ago and this trip forgot my DD's overnight diapers. Thankfully doubling up 2 regular ones did the trick as I knew Disney would not sell them.