Going on a trip can be exciting, but most people probably don’t find packing for it that much fun. For me, it’s a little nerve-racking—straining my brain to try to make sure I don’t forget anything. I thought for a long time that I really should make up a list for packing that I could just print out whenever it was time to pack for a trip.

After my recent packing experience, I finally was determined to do it, I feel confident that it will be very helpful in getting ready for my next trip. I thought there might be lots of other people who could appreciate packing being a little less stressful. To my own list I added some lists to show what men may need and what children and babies may need on a trip, and I’ve decided to share them with you.

You might be one of those people who can fit everything into a carry-on when flying somewhere for a two-week stay, but I am definitely NOT one of them. When I pack for a flight, I try to put everything in my carry-on suitcase and handbag that would be difficult to do without or hard to replace if my checked bag should somehow go astray. (Perish the thought!)  I like to make sure I would have some sleepwear to get comfortable the night after I arrive, my medications and supplements, changes of underwear, my toiletries, my make-up, and my jewelry. I could always buy a few pieces of clothing, if I had to.

Liquid & Laptop Guidelines

If you’ve flown in recent years, you know that there is currently a limit to liquids you can include in your carry-ons. Currently, you must limit capacity of liquids containers to 3.4 ounces, and the containers must fit in a single quart-size zip-lock bag. “Liquids” includes not only items that are obviously liquid, but also aerosols, gels, creams, and paste. That means toothpaste, peanut butter, and mascara are classified as liquids. (Lipstick is considered a solid.)

If you want to pack larger quantities of liquids, you can pack them in a checked bag. Reasonable amounts of breast milk or liquid medications are usually exceptions to the liquid carry-on limit. You can’t carry on anything sharp, such as a nail file. Solid snacks are usually acceptable. It’s always wise to check for the latest restrictions. What a thrill to find out that we are no longer required to remove our shoes in order to go through security, as we have been for about the last 20 years!

Carrying a laptop on a plane is a bit more complicated. Most airlines allow passengers to carry on a small-suitcase (of a specific size limit that will fit in an upper compartment) plus two personal items (which are small enough to be stowed under the seat in front of you). Some airlines may allow only one personal item. Some carry-on suitcases now contain a special outer compartment big enough for some laptops. Some passengers are using a back-pack that has a special accommodation for a laptop.

Packing Tip for Jewelry

I have a little packing tip to throw in for you ladies who sometimes like to bring necklaces with fine chains on your trips. Before placing fine-chained necklaces in your jewelry holder, wrap each chain around a large cotton ball. If your necklaces don’t fit tightly in your jewelry holder, you could wrap a small rubber band around the cotton ball, winding it crosswise to the way the chain was wound. No one wants to spend valuable vacation time trying to untangle chains.

Recommended Packing Lists

I hope you find these lists helpful. I tried hard not to forget anything. The lists for “Women and Young Women” and “Men and Young Men” are designed for travelers from the years of adolescence and up. The list for “Young Children” is designed for children between toddlerhood and the adolescent years.

Once kids reach adolescence—or maybe even before—they can probably use the list to pack for themselves. These are not exhaustive lists that cover everything needed for every kind of trip. If you’re going on a ski trip, you won’t find ski clothes and ski equipment on the lists. If you’re going on a fishing trip, you won’t find fishing gear on the lists. If you’re going camping, you won’t find sleeping bags, tents, and s’mores ingredients on the list. For special kinds of trips, you will have to supplement the list with specialty items. Maybe you will decide to make your own customized lists.

For some kinds of trips, or due to your own personal needs and preferences, you won’t need everything I’ve suggested. If you print the lists, you could place an “x” beside any item on the applicable sections you feel you won’t need. (You might want to use a pencil instead of a pen, in case you change your mind about whether you might need it.) Then you can place a checkmark beside everything you’ve packed. There should be either an “x” or a checkmark on every line of the relevant lists. Happy travelling!

To view or print out the lists of suggested items to pack, CLICK HERE.