What to Pack

northdubgal

I am heading to America for 3 weeks soon and I am trying to be real organised and write down eveything I need to pack... and I am stumped !!

Besides from the obvious: toothbrush, underwear & passport, what do I need??

(I am also feeling a shopping spree coming on, any hints/tips on good bargains? I havent set foot in a shop in so long!)

spinandscribble

where you're going might help.

bring clothes but not too many. apart from that there isn't that much packing to do.

rainbow kirby

If you were planning a shopping spree anyway, I'd pack light and get stuff over there - much cheaper!

Femelade

An adapter if you are bringing hair straighteners?

Pythia

northdubgal wrote: »

I am heading to America for 3 weeks soon and I am trying to be real organised and write down eveything I need to pack... and I am stumped !!

Besides from the obvious: toothbrush, underwear & passport, what do I need??

(I am also feeling a shopping spree coming on, any hints/tips on good bargains? I havent set foot in a shop in so long!)

Where exactly are you going and what are you doing?

Rozabeez

Bring a change of clothes and buy the rest there! :cool:

Holsten

Pack what you normally would, then take out 3/4 of whats there.

Done and done.

FabulousGirl

Asprin (to prevent blod clots on the flight)
Insect repellent (depends what part of the States you're going to)
Sun screen
After sun
Band aids
Lip balm
Reading material (for the long flight or lounging by the pool/beach)
Travel eye mask (great for catching a few Zzz on the plane)
Razor blades & shaving gel
Deodorant
Cosmetics
Sun glasses
DOLLARS!

Check out http://www.onebag.com/checklist.html for a huge list of items you may want to bring.

Certain brands of cosmetics may be cheaper over there (Clinique definitely is) so you may want to get them on hols, same for clothes.

I am off to the West Coast next week and am just bringing a couple of pairs of shorts, some strappy tops, 2 dresses, trainers for walking during the day and gladiator sandals for night time.

Twee.

Make sure to bring some plain clothes! I know it sounds stupid but I ended up in Spain with all patterned shorts and tops...nothing really matched :pac:

northdubgal

Sorry should of mentioned, heading to California. (the home of the 5.4 earthquake :eek:)

Thanks for all that girls, will check out that site too!

Has anyone been in California at this time of year? Does the temperature decrease much?

Pythia

Make sure to bring Immdoium and Motilium for any tummy upsets.

I would bring minimal clothes and try and buy stuff out there. Do bring lots of underwear and make sure to bring some nice going out stuff.

Clinique in particular is very cheap, but all cosmetics are much better value.

Creamy Goodness

FabulousGirl wrote: »

Insect repellent (depends what part of the States you're going to)
Sun screen
After sun
Band aids
Lip balm
Razor blades & shaving gel
Deodorant

all a complete waste of packing space.

all these can be bought with one 10 minutes stop in any pharmacy over in the states, and it will save you money too.

also it will get you use to the shop attendants fake niceness which you'll have to endure for the duration of your trip.

Gran Hermano

Pack one change of clothes - just enough to change into and head out
shopping. You'll pick up all the clothes you need at crazy low prices
over there. With the weak dollar you'd be mad to bring clothes with you.

You'll pick up all the meds you need in Walgreens or similar and they're
much cheaper than Boots here.

FabulousGirl

Cremo wrote: »

all a complete waste of packing space.

all these can be bought with one 10 minutes stop in any pharmacy over in the states, and it will save you money too.

also it will get you use to the shop attendants fake niceness which you'll have to endure for the duration of your trip.

Those items are tiny, hardly gonna make much difference to your packing.
It may be a few days before you get a pharmacy, at which point you could already be seriously sunburnt.

Northdubgal - CA temps will be high 20s to 30s at this time of year.

mydarkstar

It depends what part of California you're gonna be in but a few essentials are....
- lots of high factor SPF, and a good lipbalm to go with it!
- a few light tops/tshirts/shorts for days, a nice dress or two.
- shoes you can walk in (!) as there's lots to see & do in California.

The weather's in the late 20's to mid 30's at the moment but it gets cool in the evening, even in southern California. If you're gonna be in San Francisco it can get chilly in the late evening - same too if you're gonna be in the mountains. Bring something warm to wrap around you.

Enjoy your holiday

Creamy Goodness

FabulousGirl wrote: »

Those items are tiny, hardly gonna make much difference to your packing.
It may be a few days before you get a pharmacy, at which point you could already be seriously sunburnt.

Northdubgal - CA temps will be high 20s to 30s at this time of year.

they may take up little space but if she took everyone's advice here she'd be taking 3-4 suitcases with her?

a few days before she gets to a pharmacy , ohh please it's america not the sahara desert.

northdubgal

Well we're flying into New York first so there is literally a "drugstore" on the corner of every street so might just buy all the cosmetic stuff over there, it will help with the weight of the bag too as they usually weigh a ton if I bought everything I needed here!!

Thanks again for all the tips!

LolaLuv

If you're planning on buying clothes, I'd definitely check out Forever 21. Really cute clothing for cheap, and the quality is great considering the price. Since the dollar's pretty much worthless right now it will be even better for you.

I have no idea what else you should pack 'cause I've never been to CA, but I don't think anything special is required.

challengemaster

Having stayed in the US for a month when I was younger, I reccomend you bring the very minimum you can. Save that shopping spree for over there, more euros you don't spend shopping here, you've nearly twice as many dollars for over there.

Get all the clothes you need over there, they'll be better suited to the climate and cheaper.

As for packing - One change of clothes, Sunglasses, money, something to keep you entertained on the plane. It's a long flight. Oh and your phone charger (if you plan on using it over there)

Enjoy yourself

ncmc

We'll be in CA next week, I am trying to pack at the moment and am trying not to bring too much stuff...

Just wanted to re-iterate the earlier point that if you are going to SF, it can get quite chilly. It seems to have a totally different climate to the rest of CA and can be very changeable. A warm cardy or light jacket may be required.

Other than that, just as long as you bring your money, passport and medication, it won't be the end of the world if you forget something.

DD

get dressed and take your money with you !!!;) course the passport too

an_upstart

a visa card with no limit, walking shoes and a smile