What to pack for a Weekend Trip; Winter Edition

For our family Christmas means travelling. This year we have less than in years past as we now live close (across the city) to my parents. But we still have 3 Christmas events in two cities to get to on Christmas and Boxing Day.

I know many of you will be the same. Driving and flying within the days and weeks to come. If you are heading out on a Weekend Trip, this is what to pack.

Weekend 1: Weekender/jacket/jeans/scarf/sneakers

Weekend 2: Weekender/cape coat/jeans/boots/scarf

Weekend 3: Weekender/coat/scarf/jeans/boots/sweater

If we are just going away for an overnight my husband and I can share a weekender bag, but if we are going away for more time we usually pack one each.

For an overnight vacation I don’t usually get too fussed when it comes to toiletries either. As long as I have my toothbrush I will wait until I home to shower. Makeup is negotiable too, but if there is an event as opposed to just hanging out with family I will make sure to bring the essentials. For more than one nighter I make sure to pack some small squeezable tubes with shampoo, conditioner and bodywash.

When I am staying at someone else’s home I make sure to pack a pair of presentable pajamas. Thick socks make for good morning slippers and they take up less space. An open cardigan can double as a housecoat.

Travel Expert Hitha on the Go says that you should only ever travel with 3 pairs of shoes. I would agree with this, but when it comes to a weekend away, especially one where you are visiting family and there are no formal events, you can get away with two pairs. Heck most of the time I get away with one pair, my travel shoes, because we are simply going to someone’s house for dinner, staying over and visiting another family member at their house the next day.

Three pairs of shoes is the maximum I would take. For the winter I would usually take a traditional winter boot and then either a pair of dressy flats or an ankle boot for running around. If it is milder I will switch out my winter boots for a fun sneaker.

What I pick for my travel outfit will determine what else I pack in my weekender bag. Usually I will travel with skinny jeans, a thin knit, a light cozy coat or coatigan, sneakers or winter boots and a big scarf. I hate over heating in the car so I usually leave the bulky coat at home or if I feel I need a parka where we are going take it off and wrap up in the scarf for the ride.

Since we are talking about travelling in the winter I like to make sure that I also have a hat and mitts packed. Just in case we decide to go for a walk while we are away or if (heaven forbid!) the car broke down.

If I am travelling at night I will substitute the jeans for a nicer sweat pant. Especially if we are basically climbing out of the car and going to bed at our destination to socialize the next day.

What I pack next really depends on what the trip entails. Are you going to a wedding? Or visiting family in their homes? Are you going out with friends? Pack for that specific event and then decide from there if you need an additional travel outfit on top of your event clothes. Chances are between your travel outfit and your event outfit you will probably only need to pack an extra change of underwear, layering tees and socks to get yourself through the weekend.

At most you will need 3 outfits. One outfit to travel there, one outfit to be there and one outfit to get home.

What do you pack for a weekend trip?