I have my lists that I have adjusted from previous trips. So I update those usually around the time I book the trip. Then as departure gets closer I update them again. I collect things as the days wind down (glowsticks, shirts, bags, etc) and keep them in a pile in our room. About 1-4 weeks out I make my shopping list and gather the last minute items (detergent, non perishable food items). The day before we leave I go to town! Food shopping (we drink and pack our breakfast and lunch things, plus snacks), checking the lists to make sure I have everything and picking up anything new that has been added. Then the night before and the morning of I go crazy packing. I wait till the last minute to pack and do laundry because I need something to do to keep my excitement from taking over. I work the day we leave (we plan to start driving @ 6 PM this year) to I have to make it through that too.