Discover how to pack like a pro
– and reduce the pre- holiday stress, so you can truly relax this summer.
“You Shouldn’t Need a Vacation to Recover from Packing for One”
If you’re a busy working mum, you already know: the holiday doesn’t start when you land. It starts when you stop thinking about what you’ve forgotten. As a mamma of five, I had to master summer holiday packing for my own sanity and here are my personal top tips!
The mindset shift: packing is a project (not a last-minute scramble)
If you leave packing until the final week/weekend, you’re basically guaranteeing stress. Instead, treat it like a mini project with a timeline.
Start a month before (yes, really).
Create one master list (notes app is fine) and add to it as things pop into your head.
Cases open on the floor in one room - You can begin to pack as you organise
Check what still fits (especially swimwear, sandals, and “holiday outfits” for the kids).
Replace the boring essentials early: suncream, aftersun, travel minis, insect repellent.
Do a quick laundry audit: if you’ll need extra shorts/vests/pyjamas, you’ve got time to buy without stress.
The suitcase system that saves your sanity
The goal is simple: make it easy to find what you need, when you need it.
(Use your weight allowance to your advantage…)
1) One small suitcase: “Arrival + bulky”
Pack one small suitcase with:
Bulky items (floaties, swim shoes, beach hats, goggles)
Hotel-first essentials (suncream, aftersun, nappies/pull-ups if needed)
A couple of easy outfits for the first day
Why this works: when you arrive, you can grab one case and start living — instead of tearing through everything looking for the one thing you need.
2) One shared suitcase for two kids
If you’ve got two kids, consider one shared suitcase for them:
Keeps packing tighter
Makes it easier to track what’s been used
Cuts down on “Mum, where’s my…?” chaos
3) One suitcase per adult
Adults get their own case. It’s not selfish — it’s practical. You’ll thank yourself when you’re not digging past someone else’s stuff to find your own.
4) Packing Cubes! These are quite possibly the BEST packing tool invented. Pack outfits for daytime and evening. One outfit and underwear -DONE!
The plane/backpack rule: one small backpack per child
Give each child a small backpack for the plane (age dependent, obviously).
The aim is quiet, compact, low-mess entertainment.
Ideas that actually work:
Plasticine (oddly soothing and less messy than playdough)
A magazine
Colouring book + coloured pencils
A4 Paper (Loads of things to do with paper- Puzzles, square game. Look up some ideas here:
A pack of cards - Great for pool and beach days too.
One small tech item (but set a limit — (we all need less tech time, even if it’s tempting)
Pro tip: put snacks and wipes in YOUR bag. You don’t want to be negotiating snack distribution at 30,000 feet.
Mini tips that make a big difference
Have a colour theme
When you’ve got a theme, everything (clothes and accessories) starts to slot together without effort. Choose 2 of your best shades, 2 of your best neutrals, then stick to accessories in your most flattering precious metal — silver or gold.
Best Purchase ever : Pack outfits, not items
Use packing cubes to bundle full outfits together (especially for kids):
Top + bottom + underwear in one cube
Shoes are the bulkiest items
Shoes take the most space, weight, and decision-making energy. Keep it simple: per person pack
Smart sandals
Evening shoes
Beach shoes
Choose neutrals that work with your colour theme. And be realistic about terrain — heels on cobbles, dusty roads, or hills are a holiday mood-killer.
Keep a “spares” kit in hand luggage
Pack one full change of clothes per child, plus one top for you. (Because spills, delays, and surprise “Mum, I feel sick” moments are inevitable.)
Don’t pack for fantasy-you
Pack for the actual weather, the actual activities, and the real version of your family — not the imaginary one that wears linen every day and never needs snacks.
Mini luggage scales (and pack them for the way home)
Buy a small set of portable luggage scales, then bring them with you so you can weigh cases on the return trip. They’ll save you from overpacking panic and those painful surprise airport fees.
Quick Capsule Packing Ideas for a - Warm Undertone.
Pour Moi Free Spirit Lightly Padded Leopard Bikini To £35 Bottom, Top £22, Asos – Gina Tricot braided straw tote bag £40, ASOS - Gold Havaianas £30, Next – Cobalt Blue Bandeau £42, Cupshe – Open-Front Cover-Up Duster Kimono £30.50, Next – Orange Shaping Padded Wired Bikini Top £22 Bottoms £16, Next Friends Like These Gold Sandals £29, AX Paris Bright Orange Square Neck Midi Dress £48,
Final thoughts
Packing well isn’t about being “that organised mum”. It’s about protecting your energy. The more you can plan ahead and pack with a system, the more your holiday feels like a holiday — not a travelling circus.
Want a printable packing checklist version of this post (kids + adults + toiletries + beach)? Say the word and we’ll turn it into a one-page download.
