Holiday Packing Challenge - It all starts with a perfectly packed case. Case 1 - the girl who wants to take too much.

Although I am not off on my holiday just yet, I have decided to pack early as it is looking doubtful that I, nor anybody else in the family, shall be needing to wear any summer clothes and I do like to be organised as feel the later you leave it, the more likely you are to forget something.

Firstly today, I packed Claudia's case and although the contents of hers will in no way resemble what I plan to take, it is just to give you an idea, some packing inspiration and to see what your own daughter might wish to take and I don't want you to despair.

She kept going on and on about how I wouldn't be able to fit all her clothes in, a bikini for every day and 7 night time outfits, a couple of pairs of sandals and some day time options which can mix and match easily.  I told her to relax, I could easily do it and sure enough I did and this is for a girl who couldn't pack a full size case with exactly the same amount of clothes in, when she came back from Ibiza last week!  I did meddle with the nightwear, underwear and bikini quota a bit as I have no problem with putting a few bits in the wash with our swimming costumes every night.

The sandals were a bit dodgy but to keep their shape I filled them up with swimwear and underwear. The other sandals she wants to take are clumpy flatforms so I have told her she must wear those to travel in.

I started by laying her beach towel and dresses in first, with the ends hanging over the edge of the suitcase.  It may seem a bit strange but it is a great way to encompass all of the contents when you get to the finishing line to help secure them and keep in place.

So although this may be the contents of a 19 year olds case, the rules can be applied to anybody, after all I have another three to pack and they will all have different contents, but by using the same method, I am hoping to prove a point that for a 7 night holiday you don't have to pay baggage charges if you are using a budget airline.

So to pack we have:-

3 Dresses
4 pairs of shorts
I playsuit
5 tops
1 sandals
1 beachbag
1 book
I beach towel
5 swimsuits
1 sarong
flip flops
5 pants
3 pyjamas
2 suntan lotions
toothbrush
toothpaste
aftersun
bodywash
lip balm
deodorant
razor

It is my intention to spread the toiletries out over all four cases, as you can imagine when it comes to packing my 11 year old sons, I should have a lot more room and weight to play with.

Firstly I laid everything out on my bed.

The sandals packed with bikini's and pants!

Laying the longest items in the case first, this may be long trousers in your case, but use the same principle.

I put the shoes and flip flops in plastic bags and laid them in the case next, so that I could fill in gaps around them with underwear and small clothing.

To maximise space I am constantly pushing the contents down and as soon as I feel a gap, I fill it! Sorry about picture of giant hand!

Nearly there!

Bringing the longer items up and over the contents of the case.

Once you have done this, you may well find some small gaps around the edges of the case, I filled these with small toiletries.

I was flattening everything down constantly as I did up the straps.

Finally think about your time of arrival. If you can go straight out and sunbathe, put your swimsuit and towel on top but as in our case it was pyjamas, toothbrush and toothpaste, yes straight to bed for us as we arrive in the early hours.

All done up, no problem, I am packing genius!

Then on to the bathroom scales to make sure it is not over the 10kg hand luggage allowance. No sweat, I might even let her take another bikini!

Have you got any packing tips to share?