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Year-End Vacation Packing: 18 Things I Always Bring
18
items I travel every December with two kids and one carry-on. These are the items that actually earn their space, plus the small habits that keep the trip from falling apart.
I roll shirts, zip the cube, then press the air out and my week of clothes fits in half a suitcase. The zippers take a little force on the second pass, so I pack the fragile stuff on top.
OlarHike 10 Set Compression Packing Cubes for Travel Essentials
I weigh every bag at home before the airport run. Last December it saved me a $75 overweight fee on the return trip after souvenirs. Battery door feels flimsy, so I keep a spare coin cell in my pouch.
Digital luggage scale with hook for weighing bags
One adapter covers every country we hit and charges both phones overnight. It is bulky enough that I notice it in a small pouch, but I stopped carrying three separate plugs because of it.
Universal travel adapter with two USB-C ports
I fill these with my own shampoo and sunscreen so I do not buy overpriced hotel sizes. The silicone squeezes down to nothing by day five, and the caps have never leaked in my liquids bag.
Silevoler Travel Bottles for Toiletries, Silicone Travel Size Containers
Airport refill stations are everywhere now, so I fill this after security and skip the $6 bottles. It rolls flat when empty, though the clip is not strong enough for a full bottle hanging off a thin strap.
Foldable water bottle that clips to a daypack
I use these on the red-eye and on the eight-hour bus to the coast. The engine drone mostly disappears and I can sleep upright. They are not as quiet as over-ear models, but they fit in my jacket pocket.
Noise-cancelling earbuds for long flights and buses
Maps and photos drain my phone fast on walking days, and this gets me through to dinner. The built-in cable means I never dig for one. It charges slowly if I use the phone at the same time, so I plug in during lunch.
Portable Charger Built-in 4 Cables, 10000mAh Fast Charging
I wear them on any flight over four hours and my ankles are noticeably less puffy when I land. They take a minute to wrestle on, and I only bring two pairs, washing one in the sink overnight.
Compression Socks for Women Men 15-20 mmHg,
It lives in my daypack and comes out when I buy one too many snacks. It holds a lot but the straps dig in when it is heavy, so I use it for light souvenirs and keep the heavy stuff in my backpack.
Foldable Tote Bag Keychain Large
I write the list two weeks out and cross things off as they go in the bag. The paper is thin enough to see pen through, but it is light and it stops me from re-packing the same bag three times.
Small Notebook - Pocket Notebooks
I sort vitamins, painkillers, and motion sickness tablets before the trip so I am not digging through a bag on the plane. The lids are tight, which is good, but the compartments are small if you take big capsules.
2 Pack 3 Compartment Small Pill Box, Moisture Proof Case
Dirty clothes go in here instead of mixing with clean ones, which matters on a ten-day trip. It is not waterproof, so wet swimsuits go in a separate plastic bag, but it keeps my suitcase smelling fine.
Compression Laundry Bag for Travel,
Hotel curtains never close all the way, so this is the one thing I will not travel without. Silk feels cooler than the cotton ones I tried, and the strap adjusts enough to not press on my ears.
Silk Sleep Mask, Blackout Eye Mask for Sleeping with Adjustable Strap
It dries in a couple of hours on a hostel bunk and packs smaller than a t-shirt. It feels thin on the skin and does not absorb like cotton, so I bring it for the beach and use hotel towels when they have them.
Rainleaf Microfiber Towel Quick Dry Camping & Travel & Gym
I use it in budget hotels and apartment rentals where the lock feels flimsy. It fits most doors but not sliding ones, so I check the door type before relying on it. It weighs almost nothing in the bag.
Portable Door Lock Safety Travel Murah & Terbaik
I bring this when I stay somewhere without a kettle and want coffee before the cafe opens. It boils slowly and only holds two cups, but it folds flat and fits next to my clothes. Check the voltage before buying.
Food Grade Silicone Portable Collapsible Electric Travel Kettle (Blue)
This one actually holds my head up instead of letting it flop forward. It is bulky and takes real space in the bag, so I clip it to the outside of my carry-on and only bring it on flights over six hours.
Evolution S3® Neck Pillow for Comfort & Support
New shoes on a walking trip always give me a blister on day two, and this kit has saved the rest of the trip. It is small enough for a daypack, though I add extra blister plasters because the kit only includes two.
Travel First Aid Kit for Kids, 130 Pc. TSA-Approved Travel Size