How to Pack Light and Travel Safely This Holiday Season

Whenever we’re traveling, the temptation to take everything but the kitchen sink is real. It’s difficult to know what to leave behind and what we’ll regret leaving behind.

Still, it’s important to challenge ourselves to pack light. And, ironically, the more we’re able to do so, the more we’re able to travel safely.

By packing light, we’ll remain mobile, efficient, and better able to enjoy the special moments in the making.

Here’s a game plan to help you get organized and operate at peak levels of performance this holiday season.

Make a List

Sometimes, the prep work leading up to a trip is (almost) as much fun as the trip itself. Extend the moment by rolling up your sleeves and making a detailed list.

Pull out some pen and paper or fire up a new note on your phone and make a list of every item you think you’ll need. Once you’ve created your list, go back and slash at least three items. Then, go back and slash three more.

This might be hard to do until you see everything laid out on the bed. But, test your limits right out of the gate to see how far you can go.

Give Everything Purpose

Unfortunately, if anything on your list doesn’t serve double duty, it has to go. That’s one surefire way to start slashing in threes.

If your favorite pair of purple penny loafers can’t be paired with two, if not three, outfits, they have to go. Your shoes, pants, and tops all need to have mixing, matching, and rewearing capabilities.

Stay Neutral

In order to achieve that mixing/matching goal, stick with neutral colors so you can rewear and style pieces in new and exciting ways.

Neutral colors aren’t just blacks and browns, either. You can also rotate in soft pinks, olive greens, grays, whites, and navy blues.

Consider Cotton

You don’t have to stick to cotton-only clothes, of course. The main idea here is to stick with lightweight, durable materials that can be easily washed. These types of materials may also wick away sweat.

Quality materials may also wrinkle less and dry faster if you need to scrub a long sleeve shirt or pair of shorts during your trip. Pack a small laundry detergent bar that you can dispose of when the trip is over.

Plan to Wash Items

Instead of packing ten pairs of socks for ten days, pack half that. Although most of our undergarments don’t take up a lot of space, when combined, that’s enough space to bring an extra present for mom.

Take the opportunity to slash some of those smaller items that can easily be hand washed at night. Better yet, if you’re staying with family, it’s reasonable to assume you can do a load of laundry while you’re there.

Ditch the Toiletries

Be very frugal when it comes to hair care, skincare, and other beauty items. If you’re going to a major city, you can buy small travel-size items when you’re there. If you’re staying in a popular hotel chain, you can easily ask the front desk to supply a few extras. Again, if you’re staying with friends and family, the odds are high they’ll be willing to share.

Styling tools need to go under the microscope, too. It’s not wise to take your hair straightener and curling iron, for example. Before you travel, practice how to use your hair straightener to create beachy waves et voila! You’ve just found a way to slash another item on your list.

Leave the Laptop Behind

If possible, stick to the bare minimum regarding your electronics. Sure, you’ll want to capture the best photos, but consider how efficient our cellphones are these days. Sure, you might want to remain plugged in at work, but consider taking a tablet or limiting your communication for the duration of your trip.

The same holds true for jewelry, watches, and other expensive items. Stick with basic pieces that can be styled in different ways. You don’t want to call too much attention to yourself, anyway. In the end, you’ll be happy to have a lighter load and decreased risk of theft.

Keep Things On Your Person

This brings us to the final point: safety. In order to protect your belongings, and remain mobile and aware of your surroundings, keep your valuables on your person as much as possible.

A money belt doesn’t sound cool; it smacks of the days of fanny packs. But, it’s worth your while and no one will see it under your loose-fitting sweater or shirt. In your money belt, you can secure your passport, small stash of cash, credit cards, and other important documents.

Choose luggage that doesn’t tie up your hands. Consider a secure backpack or messenger bag.

The more you can stay mobile, upright, focused, and aware of your surroundings, the safer you’ll be. Unfortunately, the travelers who struggle with their rolling suitcase that has bags spilling off the top of it are easier targets because they’re so distracted.

You Can Pack Light and Travel Safely

Yes, you can pack light and travel safely this holiday season! Visiting your loved ones, or creating new adventures in new cities, can be as simple and easy as you want it to be.

When you’re able to pack light, you’re also able to travel safely; the two go hand in hand. It’s all about staying mobile, efficient, and aware. As you plan to lighten your load this holiday season, we hope you’ll enjoy your new memories in the making.