Happy TRAVEL TUESDAY!
Back in March, blog reader Susan (hi Susan!) commented on one of the Japan recaps that she would love to see a post on…
…THINGS WE DON’T PACK WHEN WE TRAVEL.
I have many, many, many posts on WHAT WE TAKE/HOW WE PACK/WHAT WE TAKE ON VACATION (important details!), but I thought Susan brought up a good topic when she asked the opposite question…WHAT DO WE LEAVE AT HOME?
I’m going to share a few of mine, and then please, please share yours too!
First, let’s be clear about one thing…
…hi, we are the Shulls, and we don’t necessarily pack “light”. 😉
There are no awards given for carrying on every single time, so if we are going somewhere for a long time and/or need a lot of gear (ie: skiing), we absolutely check bags.
No matter if we carry on or check, I do believe we have mastered the art of packing efficiently.
I propped my laptop next to Andrew while he made his breakfast the other morning and asked him to help me come up with the list of items we don’t take with us on trips.
Here are a few things we typically leave at home when we travel…
UMBRELLAS/PONCHOS/WEATHER GEAR WE DON’T NEED
We really pay attention to the weather forecast in the weeks leading up to our trip. Unless it looks like crazy rain, we leave the rain accessories at home. Umbrellas are heavy and bulky, and if I can avoid lugging them around, I will. *Typically* hotels have them for guests to borrow, but worst case scenario, we pop into a drugstore and purchase one. I would say the same for heavy winter coats (unless the weather looks really cold), swimsuits (unless the weather looks really warm, and we know we have access to water). We try really really hard to make sure the weather forecast and our packing list complement each other.
FULL SIZED BOTTLES
I’ve mentioned this many times before, but we do not bring full sized bottles of anything with us. I adore my normal hair products, bath products and skincare products, but on a trip, I leave them. I pack any samples/minis/smaller options I can find and/or use the small travel-sized containers and fill them with things (like my shampoo and conditioner). This not only saves a ton of room and space, but it’s fun to play with products I don’t typically use. Full sized items stay at home when we head out of town.
BODY WASH
I’m calling this beauty product out specifically because I stopped bringing it with us years ago. This is one item that almost all hotels have in each room, and if they don’t, call me crazy but I feel like substituting with shampoo works in a pinch too. It’s just one less thing to pack and carry, and I’ve never missed not bringing it.
HAIR DRYERS
Most hotels, cruise ships, and even Airbnb/VRBO include hair dryers, so I stopped lugging them around years ago too.
STEAMERS OR IRONS
So many of my friends and clients travel with portable steamers and irons, but we travel with wrinkle spray. It’s the one “full sized” item we try and bring with us each trip. We pull out anything that’s a bit wrinkly, spray and hang it up. Easy as that!
EXTRA PJS/WORKOUT CLOTHES/BRAS/JEANS
I try to not bring as many “extra” things as I can. At home, fresh pjs and workout clothes are lovely, but when I’m traveling…I’m content re-wearing items just to keep things simple. If I can get a few days out of the same pair of jeans, I will. If I need to wear my pajamas a few extra times, that’s fine. It’s one area where I don’t mind cutting corners. If I can wear the same pair of sneakers around town and to the hotel gym, fabulous.
SNACKS OR FOOD
We will bring protein powder and protein bars and maybe a box of granola bars or something, but for the most part, we don’t pack a lot of food or snacks.
VITAMINS/MEDICINE
Obviously, I don’t mean medication one needs daily for their health. We always pack that with us. What we don’t bring are our supplements and vitamins. We use travel as a time to hit reset. I love my daily dose of mass enzymes, magnesium, Nutrafol, etc but I haven’t had any issues taking a break from them while we travel. We also don’t bring a lot of “extra” meds for “just in case” purposes. Let’s be real, if I were going off to the middle of nowhere, then yes, I might bring some Benadryl or Tylenol or Pepto Bismol. For the most part though, there is typically a pharmacy or grocery store very nearby on the off chance we need something.
And those are some of the things we DON’T pack when we travel.
Now, I’ve made it into the “easy” stage for traveling with kiddos, but should you be in the trenches right now, I have SO MANY BLOG POSTS about traveling with younger ones. You’re going to leave and take a whole new variety of things when you have kiddos with you.
I would love to know some of the things you specifically DON’T take with you on trips. Please please comment and share!
Also, just a reminder that if you’re still not sure about your summer travel plans, it’s not too late to book something!
Let me remind you about two destinations that would make EXCELLENT summer vacation spots…
…you could head to Walt Disney World!
Disney is a great destination for summertime! You can take advantage of the waterparks, resort pools…
…and other festive summer fun.
Or…
…get yourself down to the Caribbean! You know our family LOVES Lovango!
This private island resort is one of our favorite destinations…and you can even get their without a passport 🙂 .
Who doesn’t want to head to paradise for a few days this summer?
For more information about Disney, Lovango, or any of our other destinations, please contact us HERE! We would love to send you somewhere this summer. It is not too late to book!
Head to the comment section to chat, friends!
One last thing, I am sharing an updated version of THE #1 BLOG POST IN ALMOST 19 YEARS OF BLOGGING today as well. Without a doubt THIS is the most popular post in Mix and Match Mama history. Make sure you check that out today too.
I’ll see you tomorrow! xx
Elspeth Mizner says
I tend to use travel items only and not full size! Smart idea about the meds and supplements too!
http://www.elspethsdaybyday.com
Diane Moore says
Great list, Shay. I am always surprised that some women still pack their hair dryer. Too big & heavy. In the same category, I do not take my electric toothbrush. For generations, people used a regular so I can get by for a week 😬🪥
Mix and Match Mama says
That’s a good one! I do not take my electric toothbrush either! I also often don’t take my Oura Ring. I don’t want to mess with having to charge it (and thus bring the charger).
Gail Young says
I gasped when I read this! NOT take my electric toothbrush???? I cant even…..
Natasha says
We’ve completely stopped packing soap, shampoo, and conditioner. Hotels and cruise ships have it as do friends and family we visit. One less thing to worry about.
Cat says
I’m going to quibble with the meds advice! While I’m big on “living like a local” when abroad, I do make an exception for bringing a quart-sized baggie of my tried-and-true American OTC medications. Nothing like being able to quickly pop your preferred GI distress pill vs. having to run-slash-waddle to a pharmacy… then I can save my pharmacy shopping for *fun* local brands 🙂
Kelly Sites says
I used to be a big over packer, but as time goes on, I LOVE LOVE to pack light. We did a 10 day Europe trip (with mixed weather, and 3 countries) with a carry on, and we didn’t miss one single thing. I’m fine re-wearing stuff (wore the same pants several days in a row). I used to take all of my vitamins, etc, but now I know I will be perfectly fine for a week or two weeks without them, so I don’t bother. I have travel beauty items that stay in my travel makeup bag and I just refill them before each trip (not even always with what was originally in them). I’ve mastered the packing and what I need. It is SO EASY when I get to where I’m going because it is simple. And unpacking is AWESOME because I’m literally unpacked in under 10 min. SIMPLE AND EASY is my game.
Gail Morgan says
I used to travel for work..every week! I, too, perfected the light packing. I didn’t need 4 pairs of shoes w matching purse. It became a black trip or blue (or ??) trip. And all clothes went with those shoes/purse. Travel bag with essentials in travel size, refilled as needed, stayed packed. I still use this principle when we travel. We went to Europe for 20+ days (thanks MMT-Clare)with 1 checked bag, each, and a small carry on. The checked bags were an easy size to handle on trains when not checked. We have travel chargers that fold out to charge phone/watch/earbuds-beats all the cords!
Allison says
Great post, I agree with just about everything that can be left behind! Another thing I don’t pack is expensive jewelry… just. in. case.! So I have a question about Lovango, how is it pronounced? LOL! Is it a play on words like “love-n-go”… or is it “luh-VON-go”? I just never know. =)
Mix and Match Mama says
“love-on-go” It’s GORGEOUS!!
Paula Hobbs says
I remember the days of stressing over every single item. Once you realize it’s not the end of the world because if the hotel doesn’t have what you forgot, there’s always a Walmart or drugstore around the corner! Life is so easy breezy when we stop stressing over all the small stuff!! Great post!
Beth Valenta says
As I have gotten older, I pack so much less. I have learned an accessory can change the look vs. 5 pairs of shoes. I don’t bring perfume unless it is sample size and I don’t bother with various make ups and lotions. I bring one travel sized and lip balm.
Jami says
What we don’t pack…well one year my husband packed no underwear. I think it was back in 2021, we did a 12 night Disney/Universal trip. I usually have everyone (kids would have been 11 and almost 14 at the time) bring me their stuff and I would pack it, splitting it all up so that if anything got lost we would each at least have something. So we have a super early flight, get to our resort and they are still serving breakfast. We have a full day and finally we settle down for the evening and get showers. My husband goes to shower and he can’t find his underwear. We go through every suitcase and they are not packed at all. 12 days, in the Florida heat, no underwear. To this day it’s probably the hardest I’ve ever laughed. So the next day I’m in the line for Slinky Dog Dash taking calls and texts from our Instacart driver making sure she can swap out the colors on the packs of mens underwear we ordered. Good times!
Susan P Fitzpatrick says
No underwear?!! That would be my husband too! 😂
Cherie says
I don’t take a curling iron or ‘extra’ hair stuff. I also have a tried and true pair of huggie earring that I put on and leave in the entire trip (one less thing to pack or lose). I do take some OTC meds because I want to be sure I have what I know works for my body. Small quart size bag with some items doesn’t take much space but great peace of mind if someone has an upset stomach or allergies.
Love seeing what works for other people!
Carol D. says
I bought a small plastic mini medication multi-compartment container from Amazon that comes with labels for Tylenol, Motrin, Excedrin, Immodium, etc…I can put 5-7 pills in each compartment and know I have all bases covered!! I think it was $4.99 and it comes with 161 labels! Surely all meds we need would be covered. I travel for work and only have a travel charger that charges my Apple watch, my phone and iPods. All other chargers, blocks are left at home.
Susan P Fitzpatrick says
Funny you mention me this morning. 😊 I just saw this post as I sat down in the Fort Myers, Florida airport. I drove with my daughter to Naples for her new job. Thankful for the sweet and chatty Uber driver who got my mind off leaving my young adult kid here ☹️ Things I don’t bring on a trip include expensive sunglasses and jewelry. I have lost too many nice stud earrings to count 😬 I finally started buying cheap earrings from Amazon for travel. I also leave my nice sunglasses for home and buy those from Amazon as well. I also leave clothes that wrinkle very easily. The last thing I want to do is iron and I haven’t had much luck with the wrinkle spray.
Christe says
Books! I exclusively use my Kindle when I travel. In fact my husband bought me my first kindle for a trip to Australia because he refused to lug them around the outback!
Mix and Match Mama says
That’s another great one! I only travel with my Kindle…and I used to travel with so many physical books weighing me down.
Alexa says
Ooh, this was a great post idea!
As we plan our travels, I like to make sure we are in an air bnb or something similar at least every 3-4 days so that I can do laundry. I try to only bring 3-4 outfits per person. I’ve decided hauling an extra suitcase with clothes my four kids may or may not wear isn’t worth my effort in the airport or taking up more space in our rental car.
Bailey Morris says
PLANE PILLOWS. I recently broke my own rule and spent $40 on a Turtl pillow (which was fabulous, by the way) because I booked a $350 flight to Greece on a super budget airline where you don’t get nothin’. No snacks, no meal, no nice lil pillow waiting for you in your seat. They all but strap you to the side of the plane.
When I got on, I realized I could have purchased one through their screen for under $10. I was flying carry-on and personal item only, and I kicked myself for breaking my own rule. I will say – the Turtl didn’t take up a ton of room and could fit around my clothes, but I was still bummed. New hack – get a pashmina or scarf, tie it behind you on the headrest, throw a sweatshirt in there to rest on, and boom. Neck stays up, even in economy.
Penny Jones says
Brilliant with the scarf!!!
Kourtney says
We went to Disney two weeks ago and I was annoyed with myself for bringing hand soap (this is a weird one but I hate bar soap) shampoo, body wash, etc. when Disney provided all that for us! Next Disney trip I will skip those things. I’m very much in the camp of “if we need it, we can buy it there” for most things that you mentioned. Especially now that my kids are a little older 🙂
K.K. says
What I don’t pack is many of your items too!! I also don’t pack my journal or Bible. I don’t want to possibly loose something so valuable to me, so I take notes on my phone for my One Line a Day journal (which is a fun product by the way) and read my Bible on a Bible app.
What I do bring – nasal spray! I know this is not about this, but twice on flights, allergies acted up and I was congested before traveling home and flying congested in the absolute worst! I thought my head would explode. So now, I don’t fly without having nasal spray with me. Life SAVER. 🙂 🙂
K.K. says
*lose not loose (ha!)
Paula R says
Shay, I must say-after seeing all your travel photos over the years… I’m amazed and envious that you can travel so light and carefree as you toodle around town with just your cross body bag. I’m a chronic overpacker and I find glee and delight if someone needs something from my “Mary Poppins” bag. “Prepared Paula” is my nickname. However, it’s so heavy and cumbersome and my family travels “hands free”… so why can’t I?
I guess I’m the pack mule schlepping my jacket, water bottles, rain poncho-ha, snacks etc. ugh. I so want to be hands-free around town while traveling. Maybe if I just get a cute crossbody bag-that will be my container limit and that’s all I’ll take. That will be my goal for my next trip!
Thanks for the inspiration.
I was going to ask if you have smaller travel wallet that you use on travels…
or if your normal wallet is larger for your daily use purse and if you use a smaller wallet while traveling in your compact cross body bag.
Mix and Match Mama says
Why can’t you too?! I support this, Paula! 😉 Okay, I truly just use my normal wallet. I have a larger size and then a more compact one. I don’t use anything geared specifically for traveling.
Emilee says
Never will I ever travel with a diaper or pull-up in my checked bag, you will always find me ordering some upon arrival!
Gail says
I dont bring ANY jewelry except for the stud earrings that I wear on the plane. Also, NO makeup except for 1 tube of mascara. We always do beach vacations and dont do the nightlife. So easy!!
Meredith Barr says
I made a huge mistake when traveling to Israel the beginning of March 2020. I didn’t take many OTC meds and didn’t realize that in Israel you cannot purchase anything OTC (even cough drops) without seeing a pharmacist in a pharmacy. Nothing in the hotel gift shop or little shops! I ended up getting really sick there and had to leave our travel group (big group of 700+ people in bus groups of 50) and travel far on foot to the nearest pharmacy. Big mistake and I will always take a quart sized bag of “in case” OTC things whenever I travel internationally.
M says
We often travel to remote areas so we DO go heavy on snacks and otc meds! Better to have safe options when in austere places!
Sheaffer says
I don’t take my electric toothbrush, but I miss it morning and night. 🙂
Cheriese says
My first thought when I saw the title of your post was “Bad Attitudes! We do not pack bad attitudes!” I think I’m scarred from some long European trips with middle school/high school daughters.”
Mix and Match Mama says
And THAT is the #1 thing not to pack! Yes, yes, yes!
Lori R says
Your tips were really helpful! I’m going to rethink how I pack for future trips!