In March of 2020, two days before our twin granddaughters’ birthday trip to Disneyland, it closed. This month, having passed another birthday, they finally got to celebrate with Mickey (from a distance). Fortunately, they can't remember their pre-COVID Disney experience, so they left all the complaining to the adults and had a great time.

If you’re venturing out of town this summer, here are some Timely Tips for packing up and "packing out" (unpacking) as my granddaughter says.

Timely Tips for Trips

PREPARE

Store Info: Use a large plastic envelope to store your trip information and resources—reservation confirmations, tickets, packing checklist, list of your prescriptions, etc. You can also use the folder to collect brochures and memorabilia while away.

Download Apps: Most airlines, hotels, and amusement parks have apps and features to streamline and enhance your experience. Tripit automagically compiles your itinerary when you forward your confirmation emails so they’re all in one place. Hotel Tonight helps if you need to make a last-minute booking. This saved us one time when the place where we had reservations was spraying for bed bugs! Sit or Squat has the location of over 100,000 restrooms across the country that have been rated “sit” (good) or “squat” (bad) by users.

Prepare Your Home: Put a hold on your mail by visiting www.usps.com or fill out the form at the post office. Arrange care for pets and plants. Put house lights on a timer and secure valuables. Give a trusted neighbor or friend your itinerary and contact info.

Pay Bills: Ensure that any bills coming due while you’re gone are taken care of.

Family Travel: Check out these websites for ideas to make your road trip memorable in a good way—www.momsminivan.com and www.roadsideamerica.com. If traveling by air, download cartoons and kids’ games and relax your rules on screen time.

PACKING

Checklist: Download or create a packing checklist and keep multiple copies in a folder where you store your suitcases. Be sure to include a list of your current medications. Create themed checklists as needed—camping, beach trip, Grandma’s house, etc. Check things off as you pack.

Snacks: Pack kids' snacks that take a while to eat, such as Goldfish crackers which kids can also pretend with, and lollipops which can help with ear pain if flying or driving in high elevations. Pack spill-proof cups, even for the older kids.

Luggage Identifier: Tie a brightly colored ribbon to the handle and wheel so you can identify your luggage no matter which way it lands on the baggage carousel.

Packing Cubes: I’m a huge fan. Pack each person’s clothes in their own packing cube or extra-large Ziplock bag. Do the same with undies, swimwear, and pajamas. Label each bag with the person’s name and category of items. This makes finding things and packing up for your next stop a breeze.

Jewelry: To protect necklaces from tangling, thread them through straws and place them in resealable bags or toothbrush holders. Store rings and earrings in seven-day plastic pill holders or in snack-size resealable bags pinned to the corresponding outfit.

Shoes: Bag your shoes and place them on the wheel end of your rolling suitcase so they don’t crush your clothes when the suitcase is upright. Maximize space by filling shoes with small bags of charging cords, belts, etc.

"PACKING OUT"

Unpack: Unpacking isn't fun, and unfortunately it doesn't get more fun by putting it off. Give yourself a deadline. You’re finished when travel items and empty suitcases are returned to their storage area and your clean laundry is folded and put away. Believe me, you’ll be glad you did!

Containerize: If you didn't already have a bin labeled "Travel" for items such as travel size toiletries, packing cubes, neck pillows, etc., create one and place it near the suitcases.

Update Checklist: Make adjustments to your checklist for next time, based on what you were missing on your trip, or didn’t need to bring.