Expert reveals how to make packing for a family Christmas trip stress-free

With the Christmas holidays fast approaching many families may be getting ready to visit relatives or even take a trip abroad.

To help you stay organised and maximise suitcase space, while packing enough outfits for all the festivities, the experts at M&S Kidswear have revealed 6 fool-proof packing tips to help the whole family travel like a pro.

Pack your kids’ items last

Packing your children’s belongings last can have its benefits and saves parents the pesky task of having to pull everything out of the suitcase at once.

“When packing, it’s good to be strategic, a key tip is to put your children’s party dress or outfits and nightwear right at the top of your case so the kids can dive straight into the party or bed after fractious journeys.

“This avoids mess and chaos, saving parents from having to dig back through the suitcase not knowing where each item is.”

Invest in storage bags or packing cubes

Although this may be one of the more common tips to help maximise your luggage space, investing in luggage accessories is one that is worth following.

“Using vacuum sealed bags is one the easiest ways to maximise space and is great for family trips where you all share one big suitcase. They also keep everyone’s clothes separated, so help to organise items whilst concealing those bulkier items.

“The same goes for packing cubes, which can help to keep bulging suitcases organised and keep your clothing wrinkle-free, regardless of whether you prefer to roll or fold them.”

Follow the 3 shoes rule

Shoes can be a tricker item to pack, as many people want multiple footwear options but are limited with luggage space.

“The 3 shoes rule is great for families having to share luggage space and follows one very simple step – simply put, only pack three pairs of shoes.

“For a Christmas visit, this typically means to pack a pair of party shoes, a pair of shoes to travel in and an additional pair for any muddy Christmas walks. It’s an easy but effective hack to prevent chunky shoes from taking up the majority of your suitcase”.

Roll and fold

Whether to roll or fold clothes is a classic debate amongst travellers, as both have their own advantages.

“Rolling has replaced folding as the space-saving method du jour. However, it might not be wise to roll all your clothes.

“As a rule of thumb, it’s advised to fold clothes that are made from natural materials like cotton as they wrinkle very easily. You should also fold knitwear items, which tend to be chunky, meaning that they will take up more space in your suitcase if you try to roll them.”

“At Christmas, it’s also likely you’ll be packing delicate party dresses and special outfits, it’s a good idea to fold these and in some cases opt for a separate carry case. A great hack is to put the whole family’s outfits in one larger case.”

Wear your knitwear items on the journey

A key tip which is used for many family trips, can also be applied to festive ones.

“Wherever you’re travelling to, it’s best to travel in your bigger items such as children’s coats, jumpers and joggers – which are perfect for travelling in comfort too. If the little ones get too hot, you can take off their coats and pop them over their laps as a blanket.”

Include your children in the packing process

Many parents avoid this last tip, but it can save headaches and tantrums in the long run.

“It’s best to involve your children in the packing process of their items, as it will help to alleviate any dramas of forgetting to pack their favourite party dress or tshirts.

“Start with a list and ask your kids which items of clothing they’d like to bring, then you can prep and make sure these clothes aren’t lying about in the washing basket and are ready to be packed away”.

If you’d like to treat your children to some new partywear ahead of this festive season, you can view M&S’s range here: https://www.marksandspencer.com/l/kids/occasionwear/kids-partywear