You made it to the end of the school year! Go ahead and congratulate yourself. It’s no small thing. And for the next few months, you and your family get to say goodbye to homework, packing lunches, after school pickup and activities – you name it!
Many families take the summer as a chance to get away – take a holiday and spend some quality family time. But the stress of prepping for the trip – what to bring, the best snacks, toiletries, etc. – can make any of us put it off to the very last minute.
Does this sound familiar?
That’s why I’ve come up with a simple 3-step system for getting holiday ready, without the added stress…
- Prepare Your To-Do List. A week or two before, simply take 10 minutes. Find a cozy spot, grab your favorite beverage, and make a list of what you need. Create different packing lists for either each member of your family. You can also sort by different categories – clothes, snacks, electronics, etc.
- Create a First Aid Kit. I like to bring Calendula cream for cuts, Arnica 200 K homeopathic for bumps, bruises, and trauma to the body, natural sunscreen from the health food store, and magnesium cream for muscle aches from those long hikes and walking. These are four easy things to pack that can be a real game changer on your trip! Also, while grabbing those – take a peek at natural mosquito/bug repellent and some natural sanitizing wipes for quickly wiping surfaces down – and keeping hands clean.
- Healthy Snacks. Pack snacks for the road trip or the plane. Things like Elev-8-Me or Vega protein bars are great for energy and staying full while traveling, without turning to chips and soda. Cut up veggies, apple slices, or make a trail mix with raw pecans, almonds, cashews, hazelnuts, and raisins. Don’t forget to bring plenty of water to stay hydrated. Even more tasty snack options include carrots, sugar snap peas, dried fruit, and popcorn for a special treat.
Once you have the basics, here’s a few other things to make your trip even easier…
Go out and buy an inexpensive, collapsible hamper so that you have a simple place to put dirty clothes on your trip. If you do laundry, it will be easier to carry and sort. And if not, it will make packing easier because it will all be in one place.
Clean your house before you leave. Now I can see you asking why this is on the list but I assure you that when you come home to a clean house, it will make unpacking and getting back into your routine easier and get back to the swing of things, without immediately feeling like you have to start tackling a project.
Don’t forget to get your kids involved in the packing. It will teach them responsibility, organization, and get them excited for their upcoming trip. Tell them to grab their favorite pajamas and two outfits they want to make sure to include.
What are your go-to tips for packing for a summer holiday? Leave a comment below.
Here’s to warm days and cool nights this summer for you and your family.