By David
The
concept of packing a suitcase is important for any traveler to know. It is a relatively easy task that can make a
vacation or business trip all that it can be. Inefficient packing can result in frustration,
inconvenience, and, most importantly, wrinkled clothing. The experienced traveler knows that the only
things needed to go about preparing for a trip are organization and time.
A
good suitcase is the basis on which a successful packing job relies. The suitcase should meet the packer’s
needs. A large suitcase is good for
weeklong vacations or international travel.
A smaller, more economic suitcase works for overnight trips and business
trips. For security, a suitcase should
have not only a zipper, but also two buckles across the front. A small lock with a key is also a good
idea. To ensure that the contents of the
suitcase will not move around within the suitcase, there must be two
interlocking buckles inside the suitcase.
Wheels on the bottom of the suitcase come in handy especially for
airport and train travel.
To
begin packing the suitcase, first set up an ironing board. Decide which clothes must be ironed and which
clothes can do without ironing. It is
not possible to iron every piece of clothing. The first item to go into the suitcase should
be something hard, such as a couple of books or piece of cardboard. This way, even if the suitcase is not already
rock hard on the exterior, all of its contents will be protected from
harm. A book also provides a good hiding
spot for valuables, such as travelers’ cheques or
tickets. A basic method of packing
shirts and pants or shorts in the suitcase is to use half of the suitcase for
each. Begin by placing all tee shirts or
casual long-sleeved shirts into the suitcase.
Using the correct
folding technique for shirts is crucial to keeping their smooth and flat
shape. To fold a tee shirt, begin by
laying the shirt face down on a smooth surface.
Fold the shirt in half vertically, so that the sleeves are
touching. Then fold the sleeves back
over the shirt. With long-sleeved
shirts, wrap the sleeves around once more so that they appear on the front of
the shirt. Fold the collar end of the shirt up so that it touches the bottom
hem.
There are two
basic methods of placing the shirts into the suitcase. One is to lay one shirt on top of another, in
order of when each is to be worn. For
example, place shirts to be worn at the end of a vacation on the bottom and
shirts to be worn the day of arrival on the very top. Another method is to, after folding each
shirt neatly, roll it up as tightly as possible. Place these “dumplings” side by side in the
reserved half of the suitcase.
Pants are a great
deal easier to fold than shirts. To
prepare pants, start by folding the pant legs together through a vertical
crease. From here, roll the pants
tightly starting with the ankle. Place
each pair side by side on the respective half of the suitcase. If necessary, pile pairs of pants one on
another.
Using the newly
formed crevasses between the pants and the side of the suitcase, pack pairs of
socks. Place one sock on top of another
and roll tightly from toe to ankle.
Place the pairs of socks one by one into the provided spaces. Pack pairs of underwear or boxers between the
shirts and the side of the suitcase.
At this point, any
breakables such as cameras and gifts should be placed on top of the folded
pants and shirts. It is now time to pack
the nicer clothes for business or dress-up.
They are placed on the top of the suitcase to avoid any creases
whatsoever. For a pair of dress pants,
do not fold them in half vertically.
Rather, open the pants up and pinch at the zipper and the back of the
pants. Fold the pants in half from top
to bottom in this way, therefore folding them on the crease. Lay them out flat on top of all of the other
clothes. If the pants do not fit
lengthwise into the suitcase, fold the ankles up a few inches.
The last items to
be packed are the toiletry and first aid kits.
Both should be placed atop already packed clothing. Although hotels usually provide soap,
shampoo, conditioner, and even skin lotion, it is a good idea to call the hotel
to ask what they provide. Any sanitary
traveler should bring a comb or brush, dental floss, deodorant, razor, tissues,
mouthwash, toothbrush, toothpaste, insect repellent, and sunscreen. A hair dryer and nail clippers are
optional. In case of a leak from items
such as toothpaste or mouthwash, it is necessary to place all toiletries in a
large, sealed plastic bag.
The first aid kit
is a good precautionary tool. In case of
injury in a plane, train, car, or cruise, a first aid kit nearby is a
must. A first aid kit should be small
and portable also. It should include
pain relievers, prescription medicines, stomach relief medication, gauze pads,
band-aids, adhesive tape, and moleskin.
Some people also find security in a personal survival kit in case of
emergency while traveling. To make a
simple survival kit, include an emergency blanket, waterproof matches, signal
flares, water purification tablets, a Swiss army knife, and some hard candy.
Once the suitcase
is packed, the stress is taken off the traveler for the time being. In order to ensure that enough room is left
for souvenirs, for every item to be taken back home in the suitcase,
find a way to get rid of one that has been brought on the trip. Any experienced traveler knows that airlines
frequently misplace luggage. Also,
carrying a photograph of the luggage at all times to show airline personnel
will be helpful in case the luggage is lost.
With the correct preparations in packing a suitcase before a trip, a
person can ensure that it will be a relaxing and enjoyable journey.
