Celeste Byrom

Here's an actual packing procedure for two people utilizing one suitcase measuring 32" x 18" x 14". However, the same procedure applies to any size bag. A suggestion: Make packing a fun experience. That's easy to do when you consider it an integral part of your trip instead of a separate exercise. And remember: Packing's not a chore, an unwanted bore, or a task that will cause you to simmer. But a plan made with ease makes your packing a breeze, and your bag will stand tall as a winner. The packing method offered here is the result of worldwide traveling experiences over a period of 60 years by a married couple of 55 years. My wife is the "taker"; I am the "packer." Early on I would ask, "Are you going to wear all these clothes you're taking?" Her unchanging reply: "No, but I want them available in case I need them. And don't let them wrinkle." "Huh?" (Piece o' cake for the world's best packer.) Six Cardinal Rules: 1. Make an itemized list. 2. Set a target date for completion. 3. Pack in layers. 4. Leave no empty spaces. 5. Separate layers with plastic paper. (Ideally, the dry-cleaner type.) 6. Pack hanging items with hangers in. (This will simplify unpacking.) About a week before the target date, place the open bag out of the way on the bedroom floor. Gradually pack whatever you can each day. Check off each item as it's packed. 1st in is the footwear. Place shoes individually in plastic bags, and lay each shoe on its side, sole against the side of the bag, around the four sides of the bag. Fill empty spaces with anything suitable: underwear, belts, socks, pj's, etc. (Or pack belts inside shoes.) Your bottom layer is completed with hard items such as books, CDs, purses, golf balls, tennis gear, an umbrella, etc., placed inside the rim of the shoes. Fill spaces with underwear, T-shirts, workout clothes, scarves, etc. Cover this layer with a sheet of plastic. 2nd layer: Golf shirts, tank tops, sweaters. Lay them side by side. (Don't stack.) Cover with plastic. 3rd layer: Pants and slacks. If hung, leave the hanger in, rotate the hanger down, and place the fold snugly against the top of bag. Lay items side by side. Place a small piece of plastic between the hanger hook and the garment, and cover the complete layer with plastic. Use as many layers as necessary, placing each fold against the sides and bottom of the bag to keep the layer level (no empty spaces). If it's necessary to make a second fold of pant leg, place plastic at the fold. 4th layer: Shirts and blouses. If hung, slide the hanger down into the garment until the top of the hanger is even with the top of the collar. Extend sleeves out to either side of the bag, smoothing each sleeve with your hand. Do not place plastic between the sleeves. Place a sheet of plastic paper over the garment portion inside the bag. Arrange each succeeding garment likewise. When finished, fold the multiple sleeves in as one at an angle that will fit without having to be folded. A plastic sheet goes over the completed layer. Hey, four is done, you're having fun, and the end is now in sight. So put a smile on your face, you've kept a good pace, now finish and have a great night. 5th layer: This is the chivalry layer. This is where my suit(s), tuxedo, and sport jackets go. I leave the sixth and final layer for Betty's dresses and gowns. "Squashing" is minimal on the top layer. Out of courtesy to my sweetheart, I pack her stuff last. My suits go in as a unit with the hanger in. Use the same procedure as layer No. 4. If you're packing a smaller bag and a suit doesn't fit, turn the suit sideways and fold the bottom up. Be sure to use plastic at the jacket fold and at the fold of the pants. 6th layer: Finally. The "don't get 'em wrinkled" layer. Pack dresses with the hanger in line with the neck of the dress/gown, up snug to the top of the bag, sleeves out to either side. Cover entire garment with plastic. After folding the sleeves in, cover them with additional plastic. For "full" dresses and/or gowns, use plastic liberally in the folds. Let the drums roll out, let the trumpets sound, let the saints march in, strike up the band. It's done. Give yourself a hand. Have a great trip.

Our three-week trip to Europe, with three small kids (11, 9, and 6 years old) in tow went off without a hitch, and I swear it was all due to the way we packed our bags. Each person was responsible for towing one bag whenever we traveled from one city to the next. We started in Paris, then traveled by train to Geneva, Interlaken, Florence, Pisa, Rome, and Sicily, ferried to Genoa, went on to Nice, and then made our way back to Paris.The kids were happy troopers, as they each wheeled their own cargo every two to three days. We divided the stash this way: One bag held all the shoes, sandals, sneakers, and a good pair of shoes per person, and one bag contained sweatshirts, jackets, long pants, warm clothing, umbrellas, and water bottles (every day we carried three large water bottles as we walked the cities of Europe). The remaining three bags held our everyday clothes, mostly shorts and tops; however, each bag contained four to five different outfits per person. Thus, each day we only opened one suitcase and lived out of that suitcase for one week. At the end of that week, we had one suitcase full of dirty laundry, and then we lived out of the second suitcase the following week. Toiletries were packed in the everyday suitcase, and an empty duffel bag was brought along in the shoe bag to tote souvenirs home. I didn't want everyone opening their own suitcase every night, digging around, spewing clothes all over the place, and then not knowing if everything got back in the suitcase by the morning we had to catch the next train. It was so simple to set out each person's clothes the night before and then toss the dirty clothes in a plastic bag, thus opening only one suitcase each day. When we did laundry, we rolled the suitcase to the laundromat, washed our clothes, put them back in the suitcase, and then we had fresh clothes in case we needed extras. We also had clean clothes when we got home and only had one suitcase of dirty laundry to do. [PHOTO] I'm sure this method would help any family who may be traveling with children.

We "mature travelers" (i.e., well past the backpacking, "shorts and T-shirt age") are leaving for three weeks in the Greek islands, so here's how I packed everything into our two carry-on suitcases! (This is the same amount of luggage that we used when we traveled around the world for seven months.) [PHOTO] Here are some essential packing aids that I like: Clothes for hubby: three knit short-sleeved shirts and two long-sleeved shirts. [PHOTO] I like to fold them this way and slip them into a bag to keep them wrinkle-free and all in one place. [PHOTO] Eight T-shirts, three hankies, a hat, and seven pairs of socks should be enough before doing any laundry. [PHOTO] Toss in a casual pair of slacks, as well as a dressy pair, sandals, and some underpants, along with the swim trunks! [PHOTO] Now for my things: the swimsuit, underwear, and knit pj's that work for lounging also. [PHOTO] Eight tops (probably more than I need—but heck, I'm a female!). [PHOTO] Stick 'em in the bag. [PHOTO] Two cardigans to keep me warm, dressy black slacks, white capris, and a pair of shorts should give enough variety, with sandals and slides that will also work as slippers. [PHOTO] Now to get everything into the suitcase—I create a flat surface with rolled T-shirts, etc. [PHOTO] Pants and shirts can now lie flat and wrinkle-free. [PHOTO] In go the hats—and since there's room left—a little black knit dress and a shawl (with hopes for a special evening) and slippers for hubby. Ready to zip it up, weighing in at 29.2 pounds! [PHOTO] Hubby decides he wants a lightweight shirt for sun protection, so that goes in, along with his rain jacket, with reference paperwork slipped into the top pocket. [PHOTO] Some more items we always take with us: day pack, clothesline, laundry bag, expandable tote, blow-up neck pillow, and eyeshades. [PHOTO] I save bulky items like shoes, etc., for the second bag. It's a breeze to pack, using underwear to fill in spaces. [PHOTO] Toiletries go in last. My raincoat slips into the outside pouch for a total of 26.8 pounds. [PHOTO] Mini containers of cosmetics and liquids fit into our Ziploc bags and then into Larry's attaché, along with camera equipment, snacks, magazines, and blow-up pillows for the plane trips. A purse, travel docs, and a pouch for miscellaneous items go into my waterproof beach tote. And we're ready to go! [PHOTO]

One of my favorite packing tips is to go through my closet and pick out things I never wear. Maybe it's not the best fit, or it's slightly faded, or I just never wear it. I pack these items for my trip, wear them, and leave them behind! This is a quadruple-win situation: I clean out my closet, my bag gets lighter as I go, my disposable items (especially if I'm traveling to a developing country) are treasures to someone else, and I have more room in my bag for purchases...perfect! It's also a good idea to have a printed copy of your driver's license and passport inside your suitcase in case your carry-on is lost or stolen. And for the ultra-scary event like an armed robbery or a fire where a suitcase and carry-on could be lost, stolen, or damaged, I scan my ID, passport, and traveler's checks and e-mail a copy to myself. This way you can go to any computer and print a copy of your documents. I know when people think of travel items they think high-tech and expensive—Kindles and iPods and packing cubes. But I believe one of the best packing products is extremely low-tech and ultracheap: rubber bands! I got a package of large rubber bands for $2, and they are my travel best friends! Not only do they give me 50 percent more room in my roll-aboard suitcase so I don't have to check a bag, BUT they also have many uses while you are on vacation! I have used them to keep chip bags closed, as a makeshift key chain, and to hold together a bag that had a broken zipper. Three cheers for the old-fashioned, low-tech, cheap, and fabulous rubber bands! [PHOTO]