Our family approached packing for this trip as a challenge. Each person got one carry-on sized suitcase and one backpack or other small bag for dolls, toys, books, etc. There was a washer and dryer at the beach house and the attire was beach casual. In other words, no fancy dinners or outings. Other than when we were on the road, we ate all of our meals in.

Mochimac over at Save Spend Splurge is currently away on a two-month trip to Europe and she outlined everything she packed for that time period. If she could pack for 2 months in one carry on and a backpack, we could surely pack for 10 days in the same amount of luggage. Even though we’ve never done it.

Here is what I packed:

My Suitcase:

• Black Versalette
• White tank
• Black tank
• White t-shirt
• Black t-shirt
• Red and White Sleeveless Top
• Red cardigan
• Scarf
• Jeans
• Black Capris
• Black workout pants (not pictured, I had them on)
• Black shirt (not pictured, I had it on)
• Bathing Suit with two different tops
• Pajamas (1 set)
• Underwear (5 pair) (not pictured because modesty)
• Bras (2) (not pictured because modesty)
• Socks (3 pair)
• Black Flip Flops
• Tennis Shoes (not pictured, I had them on)
• Beach Flip Flops
• Black Flats
• Sunhat
• Small Beach Bag

It all fit in one suitcase, along with toiletries, sunscreen and a first aid kit.

The Girl’s Suitcase – she packed it herself from a list I gave her:

• 1 swimsuit (she meant to pack two, but forgot one)
• 3 t-shirts
• 4 tank tops
• 5 shorts
• 1 skirt
• 5 Underwear
• 4 Pajamas
• 3 Socks
• 1 dress
• Flip Flops
• Sandals

The Boy’s Suitcase — I didn’t get a picture, but he packed from the list I gave him:

• 2 swimsuits
• 5 t-shirts
• 5 shorts
• 4 pajamas
• 5 underwear
• 3 socks
• Tennis Shoes

The Results

I never wore the scarf or one of the bathing suit tops. Other than that, I wore everything I brought, but never felt like I was wearing the same thing too many times. I would have been just fine with one or two fewer shirts, too.

I’m not sure what Stephen packed (it all fit in a small duffel bag), but he took fewer items than I did and told me he thought he over-packed. I do know he at least packed two bathing suits, a couple pair of shorts, a couple of golf shirts, some t-shirts, flip flops and tennis shoes.

The kids were totally fine with what they brought, as well, and probably could have packed less. This was definitely an eye opening experience. We need way less than we think we do. I thought 10 days with so few items would be a challenge. Instead, I looked more put together than I do at home when I have more choices and I didn’t actually need all of the items I brought.

Totally Doing This From Now On

Packing up to come home took about five or ten minutes and unpacking everything once we got home took about the same amount of time. Since we washed our clothes there, the only dirty clothes we had were from the two-day drive home.

We arrived home around 6:10 p.m. An hour and a half later, we had unpacked, started a load of laundry, cooked dinner, eaten dinner, loaded the dishwasher, taken out the trash/recycle and opened, sorted and recycled the mail.

We have NEVER done that before. It usually takes days to get everything put away and the laundry done.

I can’t see why we wouldn’t do this from now on. It was so much easier.