how far in advance do you pack for a trip?

[georgeharrison]

I like to start packing a few days before I go on a trip. Mostly because I'm excited, but also because I feel like if I start with plenty of time, I'm less likely to forget anything. James likes to pack last minute - like walking out the door.

We are leaving tomorrow afternoon, and I can't pack because it's still a surprise for Tman that we are going anywhere for his birthday. He is very inquisitive, so there would be questions...for sure. I'm getting antsy.

So, am I the only ridiculous one that likes to at least start packing in advance?

[joenali]

Do laundry two days before and then pack the day before we leave. I don't understand packing early, I might need something and it's already packed.

[mkate710]

I am a horrible procrastinator and tend to pack the night before. H gets really annoyed when I'm up till midnight finishing laundry and packing when we have to get up and leave at 5am. He also waits till the last minute, but packing takes him about 5 minutes.

[Deleted]

International- I start packing 2-3 days before and by packing I mean I start pulling out supplies and laying them in the living room, but I put things in suitcases the night before.

Domestic- night before or day of

I have a 2nd set of most stuff that stays packed in luggage while I'm not traveling. Usually, I just have to throw in underwear and some clothes.

[Deleted]

Normally the night before and sometimes the morning of. We are procrastinators when it comes to packing. This last trip we had the car packed the afternoon before and I was impressed.

[georgeharrison]

Jul 25, 2012 10:41:36 GMT -5 @sfgal530 said:

I'm really excited to hear about how TMan responds - you should video it with your cell phone or something and then you can share the video with us! My girlfriend did this for her two kids and their response when they found out they were going to DisneyWorld was hi-lar-i-ous. Have so much fun!

I'm hoping we get a good initial reaction. I know once we are on our way and it sinks in, he'll be really excited. But, we did go last year for spring break. We weren't able to do much of it, because did Disneyland and California Adventure in just 2 days with my old parents who were in the bathroom all the time or needed lots of rest. So, we missed so much of it...which is why we are going back so soon after. I'm afraid, though, that Tman's initial reaction will be "Disneyland again"? Hopefully he will have some initial excitement and enthusiasm, though. I am going to try to get some video of it. I'm sending him on a treasure hunt for it with clues on these little scroll things I made. I'm hoping it will be a fun adventure for him.

[karebear219]

I usually pack the night before...

When I was younger I would start packing earlier because I was excited. If I am going someplace warm sometimes I still do. I find packing in advance makes me more likely to forget something because I forget what I already packed. Like last time we went to HI I forgot to pack any underwear.

[picksthemusic]

We started doing laundry and gathering stuff a couple days ago, but really got down to business yesterday. We leave tomorrow.

[MrsH2010]

I'm a procrastinator, I usually start the night before and I'm still packing the last few things as we're trying to head out the door. lol.

[llh0211]

Usually the night before. If I'm feeling extra motivated, I may start planning & listing all the things/outfits I want to pack a couple days before. But not usually.

[jennlin]

i'm pretty bad, i usually pack a day or two before, and that's it. unpacking takes me weeks, though, and if i'm going on another trip in the next month..oh boy. i definitely won't be unpacking.