Congratulations! You’ve made it through finals and can’t wait to get home for winter break. While visions of waking up at noon and eating home cooked meals dance in your head, remember you still have the tedious project of packing ahead of you. Fear not! My holiday gift to you is my guide to packing: winter break edition!
Instead of bringing home every dress and pair of shoes you own, make a packing list. Here’s a sample:
- A week’s worth of bras, underwear, and socks
- 2-3 pairs of jeans/pants
- A pair of sweatpants or yoga pants
- 3 t-shirts for working out or sleeping
- Layering pieces you wear all the time
- Three sweaters or cardigans
- 3-4 everyday tops/dresses
- One hoodie and one zip-up sweatshirt
- Your three favorite “going out” dresses
- 1-2 pairs of dressy shoes
- Sneakers
- Two pairs of everyday shoes
Arctic nights may tempt you to bring home all of your summer clothes. Instead, I suggest folding up your warm-weather pieces and storing them under your bed. Remember: We are in Boston, where the bipolar weather may have you yearning for those shorts!
Chances are you have clothes and accessories at home, so try to resist packing everything. If you’re like me and tend to forget what’s at home, you’ll feel like you’re going shopping in your own closet!
We’ve all had that moment when we’re halfway home and realize that our razor or toothbrush is back on campus. These items are easy to forget, but incredibly important! Make sure items like contact lenses (and solution), medication, and makeup are in your bag!
Deciding what to pack is only half the battle. Believe it or not, how you pack your suitcase matters too! The best way to save precious space in your suitcase is to roll your clothes. Rolling your clothes up (everything from shirt and sweaters to socks and underwear) also keeps clothes relatively wrinkle-free. No hard creases from folding or cramming clothes in at the last second! Also, utilize extra space by putting small items in your shoes and bag’s side pockets.
There is nothing worse than arriving at your destination only to discover that the lid on your shampoo wasn’t screwed on tight enough and its contents have leaked all over your clothes – this is the stuff nightmares are made of! So provide your clothes with extra protection by putting your shampoo, lotions, and makeup into plastic sandwich or snack bags before slipping them into your cosmetic bag. You’ll prevent leaks and spills, and keep your clothes safe.
Good luck and happy packing!