Clever packing trick that even celebs swear by that stops you forgetting anything important

11/17/2024 01:41 PM

PACKING for a holiday can be a lengthy task and can sometimes result in forgotten items.

New Girl star Zooey Deschanel has revealed her top travel tip, which is guaranteed to simplify any trip.

The actress explained that she always has a suitcase packed so it’s ready to go at the drop of a hat.

“I usually have a bag 90 percent packed at all times,” she told Travel + Leisure in a recent interview.

“I’ve got all the things that I need in a bag all set so that I don’t have to think about it.

“I know I’m always going to need a pair of glasses, my contact lenses, a pair of sunglasses, a little first aid kit, my makeup, my toiletries, so might as well just have those already in there so I’m not going, ‘What did I forget?”

The Elf star said having a bag pre-packed means that it stops any last-minute arguments over what to bring.

As a mum of two children it makes the run-up to a holiday far easier too.

We recently shared another handy travel tip when it comes to packing and all you need are vacuum-sealed bags.

Peter Greenberg, CBS travel editor, explained that while the sought-after bags are excellent for “saving space in your closet,” they're far from ideal for airport security.

Security workers at airports have the right to check the contents inside your luggage if they suspect you’re carrying illegal items.

Peter said: “If they do that, they’re going to break that vacuum seal.”

This can cause your bag to inflate, potentially making it too large to meet the onboard carry-on requirements.

Airport security “is not in the packing business nor are they in the repacking business,” the travel expert added.

“Your bag may not make your flight and you may not see your bag for quite some time.”

When asked whether travellers can use vacuum-sealed bags if they desperately need to, Peter responded: “Do not pack them in your bags… if they open there, you will have a problem.”

A study found one in three travellers admitted they have no idea how to pack a suitcase efficiently.

A poll, of 2,000 people, found 26 per cent have resorted to sitting on their suitcase to close it and 11 per cent have faced baggage weight penalties.

More than half (56 per cent) have suffered a packing disaster as a result, such as broken zips (21 per cent) and toiletries leaking (20 per cent).

Another packing frustration is crumpled clothes, with 64 per cent willing to do anything to avoid clothes getting creased while travelling.

And 76 per cent would 'love it' if they could unpack a suitcase to find nothing needed ironing.