Bonnie's Terrific Travel Tips

I often help lead and run kid's camps during the school holidays. I also go on holiday with my family once a year or so. There are other miscellaneous home absences, too, of course.

When I go away from home, there are a few little travelling tricks that I use to make the most out of the space I have in my bag. Being able to travel light(ish) is a very useful skill. I'd like to share my favourite tips with you today. 

Terrific Travel Tip #1

You know these little things? Tic Tac containers? Turns out they are absolutely perfect for putting bobby pins into.

Not only does it make for easy storage, a Tic Tac container has just the right size lid for putting into and taking out bobby pins. Give the container a shake and one or two will fall out. They don't all fall out at once. Even better, although it's only a tiny container, you can still fit quite a decent amount of bobby pins in there.

Terrific Travel Tip #2

Shampoo and conditioner bottles are so annoying to pack if you haven't got much space in your bag. Guess what? Empty, washed pill bottles are the perfect substitute. 

Just tip some shampoo into the empty pill bottle, screw the lid on and you're sorted. I've found that if you fill them right up, they hold enough shampoo for three to four washes. Of course, you may not be able to get that number out of them, or you may be able to get more. I use them for hand cream /moisturiser as well, just make sure you label the bottles so you don't put hand cream in your hair!

Terrific Travel Tip #3

Make a packing list so you don't forget anything. I can't tell you how useful that is. It always shocks me how many people don't make packing lists, and then wonder why they forget stuff! I go on similar camps most school holidays, and I have a master packing list on the computer that I can just print out whenever I want to pack. Saves me so much time and makes sure I forget nothing.

Don't forget to put on your list things like chapstick, a little mirror, spare batteries for your torch and lots of plastic bags (because plastic bags always come in handy), extra pens, rubber bands and useful small containers. Little things like that are often forgotten and much regretted! Also, band-aids are very useful to have with you. And a pack of cards can be useful if you're going somewhere with friends and there's the slightest chance you might be bored.

Terrific Travel Tip #4

Plan what outfits you are going to wear on what days, and then pack only those outfits plus one spare outfit. It might sound like a silly idea, but trust me, it saves SO MUCH space in your bag!

Rather than just packing all your stuff, or not packing enough clothing and then regretting it, this method makes sure you'll have enough clothing... but not too much, so it frees up space in your bag. Of course, extra stuff like thermals and beanies and socks will have to be packed still, but it helps eliminating the "oh no I only packed two pairs of jeans, and I wish I'd packed four!" dilemma. 

Another thing, too, roll your clothes up. It takes up less room and makes them less creased. Socks and smaller items of clothing like that can also be rolled up and stuffed inside pairs of shoes.

That's all for today, folks! What are your favourite travel tips?