Which small items do you always take when you travel? My longtime personal list includes a captivating book and a basic alarm clock, and I’d love to know yours. Here’s my list…
1. Alarm clock. I choose to keep my phone off at night, so for alarms, I simply pack my usual clock from my nightstand. It’s incredibly straightforward and failsafe to use, even if you’re dealing with jet lag.
2. Sunscreen (obviously). Confession: In college, I occasionally went to the tanning salon, yikes. Now, I’m older, wiser, and diligent about sunscreen. This stick stays in my bag all summer for reapplying on the move, especially on the boys’ faces. And as previously noted, I also ADORE the scent of Vacation and apply it to my arms and legs each day.
3. Self-tanning lotion. So, when I desire a mild sun-kissed glow, I opt for self-tanner. I’ve tested many over the years, and the standout choice is St. Tropez. It’s easy to apply without streaks and provides a very natural appearance. I apply it the night before a trip and feel prepared.
4. Stamps. Okay, I’m a nerd, but! I enjoy sending postcards on vacation, and it can be surprisingly hard to find stamps in unfamiliar places. Thus, I bring along stamps to affix onto postcards for my dad, mom, and favorite niece.
5. Deck of cards. Always up for a game of Gin Rummy on the beach, at the pub, whenever/wherever. My one cousin famously hates it, but everyone else enjoys it!
6. Quick-dry nail polish. My beauty pals swear by Dazzle Dry, and here’s the reason: you need to apply multiple coats, but it dries rapidly (around 10 minutes) and lasts long without chipping. I delight in painting my nails a lively color and then entirely forgetting about them during the trip.
7. Hairspray. This tiny spray is the MVP of my suitcase. I use it for flyaways, humidity, frizz, a braid or bun after swimming, etc. A CoJ reader also recently mentioned that if you spray Elnett on the collars of your shirts, it helps prevent makeup and sunscreen stains. Who knew??
8. Great book. What books have you loved on vacation? I’m currently engrossed in A Private Man, a debut novel by a poet, and her beautifully crafted sentences keep making me sigh and clutch my heart.
9. Chocolate. You know when you return to the rental or hotel, and you crave something sweet at the end of the night? I always bring along some Tony Chocolonely (winner of our taste test) or Reese’s for precisely that moment.
10. Sunglasses. My doctor sister always urges me to wear sunglasses whenever I’m outdoors — the sun can severely harm your eyes! I have transition lenses, so my usual glasses darken in sunlight, but Alison recently wore these from a new-to-me California brand, and they were adorable. Now I’m tempted to get the cherry red. 🙂
Which small items do you pack for journeys? I’d love to know. Please share below…
P.S. The key to enjoying family travel, and what’s your top travel tip?
(Photos from prior family trips.)
