Do you want to feel organised and refreshed before, during and after holidays? The key to a good holiday is to plan and organise everything before you go on your vacation.
Earlier the better. It is not going to be perfect every time, however, you will notice a huge improvement every time.
Be it a long weekend trip or a proper two or three-week vacation. I go through the same pre and post-vacation checklist. To keep this article short I have divided my checklist in two part Pre-holiday checklist and post holiday checklist.
In this post I am talking about what I do before leaving home to have a tension free vacation with my family.
Pre-holiday checklist
1. Prepare holiday kits
You can prepare holiday kits as per your needs. I keep my packing cubes, laundry bags, a toiletry bag, a first aid kit and a case to carry hard copies of travel documents in my holiday bag. They are always in one place and ready to go.
2. Get colour coded packing cubes
I like to pack stuff in packing cubes because they keep everything in place and it’s easier to find stuff in your bag. I took it one step further by colour coding them – Gray for hubby, red is mine and pink for my daughter.
3. Prepare a packing list
Think about where are you going? How long you will be out and about? What would be weather like? What activities you have planned? How are you travelling? How much is your luggage allowance? These type of questions will help you prepare a comprehensive packing checklist.
4. Organise meals
Arrange meals for at least two days (post-holiday) before leaving. After eating out a lot during holidays, we crave simple home-cooked meals. I make some extra food during my regular cooking and freeze it. That way I don’t have to worry about cooking when I am busy unpacking. Some families just eat out. And that’s ok if that works for you. But cooking proper meals after the holidays is not fun.
5. Prepare a simple menu for a week and book grocery delivery
I prepare a stupid simple menu (that I and hubby both can put together just in 15 -20 minutes) for at least a week. This is for first week after holidays. A printed copy hangs on the kitchen cabinet. So I don’t have to spend my precious energy thinking about what to cook for dinner. Once I have the menu ready, it is easy to place online grocery order. That usually comes a day after we arrive.
6. Leave your house as you would like to come back to
I clean the house, change bed linens, take out the flat sheets to cover my bed before leaving. Empty all bins and put new bin liners.
7. Clean the kitchen
Do the dishes and empty the dishwasher. Leave dishwater door a bit ajar. Empty the refrigerator, fruit basket, onion and potato basket if you are going away for a long time. In short, use up or get rid of all perishable food items. You don’t want to come back to a stinky kitchen.
8. Finish the laundry
I guess this one is a no-brainer. you will come back with a pile of dirty clothes to wash, dry, iron and fold. Make room for that.
9. Check basic supplies
Check if you will have laundry pods, dishwasher tablets, hand wash, toilet rolls, shower gel, shampoo, breakfast cereals, rice etc. at home when you come back. Nobody wants to run to grocery stores right after the holidays.
10. Garden maintenance
if you have plants or a garden, think about who is going to care for them while you are away. Or if you are going away just for a week then give them some TLC before leaving.
11. Check the bills
Usually, they are automated but if not just check if there are any utility bills due. You don’t want to worry about these things on your holidays.
12. Check mails
Check you mail box if there is anything that needs your attention. Cancel or suspend any magazine or paper subscription. I tell my friendly neighbour when we are going away and ask them to keep the mailbox empty. A full mail box is a clue for burglars. I also check my emails and activate automatic reply.
13. Pack on time
I start packing two days in advance. That way I pack everything that I will need in a organised way.
14. Pack less
Not always easy as a family, yet I try to travel light. This comes to you with experience. Just pay attention. What did you barely use last time? Do you really need three jackets?
15. Check if you have laundry in or near your accommodation
Usually we stay in AirBnb that has a functional washer and dryer. I pack a washing machine cleaner and washing pods. That means I can pack fewer clothes and come home with a small bag of dirty laundry.
16. Prepare for your kids
My toddler goes to nursery. So I prepare her outfits for two or three days and a nursery bag before leaving. Think on the same lines if you have school going kids. Or if they have any games/activities planned. That leads me to my next point.
17. Keep your calendar free
Avoid planning anything big event right after the holidays. Relax and settle first. Start your normal routine and then you will have time and energy to socialize with friends and family.
18. Book in an “settle-down” day
Schedule a buffer day after vacation. Come back on Saturday afternoon then Sunday. Or take the next day off. You need time to settle down before you start work.
Now you are all set for a vacation therapy.
It may seem like too much work before leaving on a big holiday. However, the reward is much more than effort.
If you are short on time, you can hire a cleaner or domestic help. Just to be safe, if you don’t know them, don’t broadcast your holiday plans.
That is all I have for you at the moment. Now it’s your turn. Do you have some more tips and tricks up your sleeve to feel organised and under control after the holidays, share them with me in the comments.
I love to hear from you.
Happy holidays!!!