We are all guilty of overpacking for a holiday, although I have to admit I once cut down for a trip and ended up with not enough clothes to wear!
But, according to On the Beach research, a third of British families overpack – using less than half of their luggage. And less than one in 10 use everything they put in the case.
So, with the schools having broken up and millions of families prepare to jet off on holiday, On the Beach has asked mum Karen Edwards to show you how to pack 200 items for a family of four in one suitcase weighing no more than 20kg, to pop into the plane’s hold.
See how she does it here
Karen (travelmadmum.com) – a nurse, mum of two and travel fanatic – has twice used her maternity leave to travel the world with her husband and young children, travelling with just two backpacks for the entire family of four on a 10-month trip.
The video shows that with a bit of planning and by using some of Karen’s helpful packing tips, holidaymakers can pack for an entire family in a single piece of hold luggage, making family travel easier, less stressful and cheaper.
Packing tips from Karen:
Use packing cubes: Not only do this help squash clothes down more but they are a great visual guide that stops you from overpacking. Only having one cube per person makes you more focused about what can be left behind.
Roll your clothes: Rolling your clothes minimises the gaps in between them and rolls out any air that might be taking up room in your case. Along with packing cubes, this is the best way of fitting in as much as possible into your case without wasting space.
Stuff your shoes: Use the space inside your packed shoes for things like socks, headphones, phone chargers and anything else small enough to stuff inside.
Wear layers onto the plane: Aeroplanes can often be chilly anyway, so this is a great opportunity to sneak an extra outfit or accessories to your destination without being penalised for the extra weight.
Vacuum bags: For bulkier items like jackets or baby blankets, simply pop them in a vacuum bag and watch as it shrinks down by sucking the air out. Layer them on top of each other for easy stack-packing.
Alan Harding, Marketing Director at On the Beach, said: “Our survey suggests that many people are packing items into their suitcase which they don’t use, so it’s worth putting some time aside to really think about what you need for your beach break.
“Our video shows that, by using Karen’s unique packing tips, a family of four can pack up to 200 items in a single suitcase, which will make family holidays easier and stress free.”
Check out the family holiday guide from On the Beach here.
