When do you Pack?

[aaylasecura]

I start gathering things that aren't clothes and putting them into suitcase like items anywhere from 1 week to 2 months before the trip. For clothes, I start washing all of my clothes 2 days in advance of the trip. Because I don't have a large wardrobe and don't buy new clothes for trips (since I don't know if I'll actually wear them) I have to pack clothes that I already wore in the prior week. Then, I put everything in my suitcase the night before I leave. Then all night, I continously check to make sure I have everything. I run through my trip in my head and if there is anything that think I might need, I pack it as well. I know it's unconventional, but it works for me.

 

[Googelibear]

That is a very good question. My WDW suitcases are always packed. Well sort of. I stash them under my bed so to have quick access whenever I buy something I think I might want to wear at WDW. We "only" (<---how spoiled are we?)go once a year.
But all jesting aside, I pack as early as 3 months before. It's part of the building of excitement.

 

[cceandme]

We are going in 88 days and I already have a huge suitcase in my room that i hace started outting stuff into already

 

[vacation_junkie]

We are going in 88 days and I already have a huge suitcase in my room that i hace started outting stuff into already

You sound just like me..I took everything out of my suitcase for the 5th time last night. I started it about 10-12 weeks ago. Its down in the laundry room since our DS has no idea we are leaving Tuesday for a surprise Disney trip!!!
Just making sure we have everything needed while I have time...family birthday party for him today. He questioned why we are doing it a week early..I just said because people are busy next weekend..just go with it!

 

[eand3]

It's so nice to know there are other OCD early packers besides me. While I have not started officially yet, I have my list and my box started. 14 days to go and LOL, last night I had a dream that the cab was there to get us to leave for the airport ( mind you, I live in Dallas suburbs, we never do cabs, but ok, dreamland) and none of the clothes were washed and nothing was packed. I remember telling my hubby to grab some laundry soap and we would do a load when we got to Disney and I just threw some stuff in the suitcase and we left. HUH?? In my dreams I was so casual about it, but you can guess that I will probably officially start some of my packing today.

 

[disneychard]

I said every trip that I am going to start packing early. I start gathering items a month in advance. But, I don't start packing until the night before. I'm running around like a crazy person trying to pack myself and everyone else. My house looks like something hit it when I am finished packing.

 

[thebigkahuna]

I am SO glad to hear I'm not the only one!!

For me, part of the fun is the packing and the planning - I will do several lists, one "generic" (3 pair of pants, 4 shirts, 6 pair of socks) and then later, as the trip gets closer i will do a more "specific" list that will have outfits planned (black jeans, blue polo shirt, blue socks).

THEN, even closer, I will try on each outfit - making sure it all matches & fits right, down to shoes and accessories.

after that, it all gets freshly washed & dried - and packed? no, no way! it all goes on hangers so there are no "crease marks"! I pack the day before we go. (which is, ironically, when I realize I need a bigger suitcase!)

 

[Sugardimples]

We're going to Hawaii in 6 weeks and I started my preliminary prepack this weekend. I make quite a production out of packing (prepack, reevaluate, repack, etc.). For me it's part of the fun!

 

[PrincessPiperMommy]

I have a packing strategy:

Step 1 (up to six months prior): Make a detailed list of what I want to pack (down to number of each type of clothing for each person). I call this the master packing list.
Step 2 (about 2 months prior): Make a list of the items I need to buy.
Step 3 (about 1 month prior): Obtain things I did not have and store in one of the suitcases (and check them off the master packing list as I go).
Step 4 (1 week prior): Pack all things that are not daily items and clothing that will not be needed until we leave (and check them off the master packing list as I go)
Step 5 (2 days prior): Collect all clothing that needs to be packed and is not and launder then pack it (again, checking it off the list).
Step 6 (1 day prior): Determine what items need to be packed 'day of' and make sure that everything else is all set.
Step 7 (day of): pack the small number of items remaining.

So, I sort of start months in advance but don't do the heavy duty packing until about a week before we leave.

How funny this is almost exactly what I do as well! However, I seem to keep reading other tips on dis and adding to my list...

 

[perfectparanoia]

How funny this is almost exactly what I do as well! However, I seem to keep reading other tips on dis and adding to my list...

Me, too! I just added a closet organizer for the hall closet in our 1BR villa to store the kids clothes in (since there is limited drawer space).

 

[wvnative]

We have yet to do the big week long (or longer) trip to the East coast so I only have to pack for 3 or 4 days. (WDW is on my list for soon though)

I keep a list (or an excel workbook actually that holds all of the lists ...) in excel on the flashdrive I use for homework. That way I always have it. lol I keep the things that always go (sunblock, nightlight, powerstrip, backpack, tide 2 go, etc) in the suitcase at all times. When we go to DLR, we leave on a Thursday. I do laundry on the weekends so I pack the weekend before. Of course, I've already been through all of my checklists of what needs to be purchased beforehand and have all of that by then. lol It all goes in the suitcase when it comes home. All I have left to add on the DoD is the toiletries we use in the mornings.

My kid, yeah, not so much. She packs the night before and ALWAYS overpacks and almost always forgets something. Luckily for her, her mom is usually one step ahead. haha

I'm sure my process will be much the same when we venture the other direction.