Packing Tips & Hacks for a Christmas Cottage Break
It’s been said that good holiday packing is an art form; a place for everything and everything in its place. Unfortunately, we can’t all magically transform into Mary Poppins when the time comes to pick out all those holiday essentials and pack them away neat as a ninepins. And things get even more tricky at Christmas when there are piles of presents and Christmas jumpers to think about.
To save you the stress of bulging suitcases that refuse to snap shut or the embarrassment of having to wear the same pair of holiday socks for three days running, here’s some handy packing hints for you to consider ahead of your Christmas holiday cottage break…
The most common things people forget to pack…
The beauty of packing for a self-catering cottage holiday in the UK is that you don’t need to worry about such things as passports and foreign currency. However, don’t forget those vital items that will help make your holiday run smoothly; mobile phone chargers, holiday books and board games, toothbrushes and toiletries, favourite soft toys, tin foil for the turkey, Sellotape for last minute present wrapping, and water bowls, towels and dog beds (that’s if you’re bringing along your four-legged friend). Don’t forget your Christmas stockings for Father Christmas to fill. And you might even want to pack your bathers and a beach towel in case you get the urge for a Boxing Day dip!
Staying one step ahead…
A bulky food shop is the last thing you’ll feel like doing when you finally touch base at your South West holiday cottage, especially after a lengthy road trip. Travelling with a few essentials such as your favourite tea and coffee and a packet of biscuits or mince pies will help keep you and your loved ones spirits up before you explore the local shops and markets to stock up ‘self-catering-style’. Many of our guests also like to order an online food shop to be delivered to their cottage when they arrive.
Don’t forget those winter woollens…
From Cornish coastal paths to the rugged tors of Dartmoor, if you want to explore the West Country this winter make sure you wrap up warm! Walking or wellie boots, all-weather gear, thick jumpers, scarves, winter hats and gloves are all essential for the chilly season. A thermos flask is a welcome bit of kit to have in your winter walking armoury, especially when it’s filled with some hot soup or hot chocolate. Packing some of your favourite cosy loungewear for those snuggly cottage holiday downtimes is also a must.
Where to smuggle presents…
A car rooftop box is a great place to keep Christmas presents away from prying eyes. Other spaces such as the glove compartment are on the small side, while cramming things in with the spare tyre isn’t very practical as ingenious as it would seem. Your best bet is to stash your pressies in a holdall in the car boot under the rest of your holiday load, although careful not to squish anything. When the coast is clear and your little scamps are tucked up in bed dreaming about tomorrow’s adventures, you can sneak in your festive stash.
Keeping tabs on the weather forecast…
We all dream of waking up to a magical white Christmas and dreams sometimes come true. Keep an eye on the weather forecast and those Siberian fronts. If there’s a strong chance of snow fall, you don’t want the kids to be without a sledge – endless fun guaranteed! As exciting as it may sound, getting snowed in or caught in a storm without some basic supplies isn’t much fun, so stay checked-in with those weather apps.
Here’s our top packing hacks to help lessen the load…
- Roll your clothes rather than fold them to reduce creases and wrinkles while also saving space.
- Wear you heavier clothing items on the day of your journey; there’s no point in trying to cram your bulkiest winter jumper into your bag or suitcase when you could be wearing it en route.
- Try to plan your outfits: you might want to pack something a little swish for that New Year’s Eve soirée down at the local village pub but try to avoid packing outfits you’re not likely to wear and that don’t fit the season.
- Wrap up any valuable items such as perfume, watches and jewellery in socks to offer some extra protection and padding.
Whisk yourselves away to the West Country with Toad Hall Cottages. Have a look at our latest special offers and start planning your South West adventure.