We are going to be heading out for a week long trip and that had me thinking about all the things I do to prep. I like to do things to help me get ready for the trip (obvi!) and have me thanking myself when arriving home so let’s jump in!

If we’re planning on flying I make sure that we have all our travel size necessities (toothpaste, lotion, etc). If we use something up by the end of the trip I will add it to my shopping list to pick up so I’m not running around before our next trip.

We usually do a weekly grocery trip since most things we buy are fresh fruits and veggies and they are perishable. For the week leading up to any trip I try to use up what we have in the fridge and avoid buying or opening anything I can’t use up. I don’t think anyone likes coming home to rotting produce 😖

As close as I can to our departure date I will do a nice deep clean of the house. Coming home after vacations can be sad and I don’t like to make it worse by coming home to a dirty house!

This goes along with the cleaning but I wash all our last minute laundry, blankets, sheets and such. I like fresh sheets and we will probably be coming home with a load of laundry  anyways so this minimizes the loads we have to do.

I check the weather and overpack. I’ve come to realize over the years and after a few trips that 72 degrees in California is not the same as 72 in Hawaii. I tend to pack layers since I get cold very easily and I like choices so I do overpack…I know I need to work on this, but it’s so hard. Lucky for me I have a wonderful husband who has no problem packing whatever I decide to bring 😀

That last one wasn’t helpful so much as it was me being super honest! It helps me in the sense that it gives me peace of mind, but I can’t help but feel jealous of those that can pack 1 pair of pants and 3 tops for a 3 weeks. Meanwhile I’m over here packing my whole house for a week long trip…send help!

Thanks for stopping by friends and I hope you enjoyed the post! Leave me a comment letting me know what kind of packer/traveler you are. Do you clean the house? Are you a professional light packer?