A few weeks before we are due to travel, I grab a pen and some paper and immediately start jotting down EVERYTHING we need to take with us. This piece of paper then remains on the kitchen side for the duration of the countdown until departure date arrives, so I can tick off things as and when they are packed. This way I can leave with peace of mind that I have everything. I still find myself traveling in the car to the airport and a cloud of doom will hover over me that I've forgotten something … then I remind myself 'No, I am organised!' All thanks to the List.

I have combined the Ultimate Packing Guide for you depending on your type of family holiday, so have a scroll and check the items off your packing list for a worry-free journey!

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Essentials

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1. Tickets for Train, Bus or Plane

2. Mobile Phone and Charger

3. Money, Credit and Debit Cards

4. Toothbrushes and Toothpaste

5. Face wash/Shampoo/Body wash/Conditioner/Moisturiser

6. Nappies for little ones that need them

7. Refillable Water bottle

8. Clothes (obvious, but you'll be surprised how many people forget their pants!)

9. Medication/ Contraception/ Calpol/ Paracetamol

10. Tampons/Towels

11. Camera

12. Driving Licence if you are planning to hire a car out on your holiday

13. Wet Wipes

14. First Aid Essentials i.e. plasters, Savalon, antihistamine cream

15. Extra Bag for dirty laundry

16. Hairbrush/ Hair bands/ Clips

17. Sunglasses

18. Playing Cards/ Travel games/ books

19. Drawing books/Crayons

20. Ipad or Tablet

21. Travel Iron ( Check if your accommodation provides this)

22. Coats/ Rain Jackets

23. Earphones/Headphones

24. Ipod/ mp3 Player

25. Keys

26. Glasses/ Case

27. Neck Pillow

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Travelling Abroad

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1. Passports for everyone - Don't forget to check that your passports are still in date a few months before your trip as these can take up to 6 weeks to be renewed.

2. Boarding Passes

3. Relationship to Children - If you are travelling with children and they have a different surname to you and you are travelling without a parent who shares the same surname you will need to bring proof of your relationship to the child.

4. Travel Insurance Documents/ European Health Cards/Visa Document

5. Hotel Documents/ Travel insurance/ Transfer Documents

6. Plug Converters

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Travelling with Babies and Toddlers

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1. Carry-on bag with spare clothes, snacks and entertainment for the flight.

2. Nappies/Wipes/Cream

3. Bottles/Formula

4. Buggy

5. Bibs

6. Cups and Cutlery that your child likes to use.

7. Comforter

8. Small Blanket

9. Baby Carrier

10. Baby Monitor

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Beach/ Watersports Holidays

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1. Swimming Costumes/ Trunks/ Wetsuits/ Wet Shoes

2. Goggles/ Snorkels

3. Sunglasses

4. Sun Hats

5. Frisbee/Beach Games

6. Insect Repellent

7. Towels (Check if these are provided by your accommodation)

8. Bucket & Spade

9. Beach Umbrella

10. Windbreak

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Camping Holidays

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1. Tent

2. Sleeping Bags

3. Blow up mattress/camping beds/sleeping mats

4. Warm Layers

5. Pillows

6. Suitable Shoes

7. Flip flops (for showers and toilets)

8. Camping Chairs

9. Drinks Bottles

10. Cooking Utensils/ grill/ stove/ pans

11. Toilet roll

12. Cups/Bowls/Plates/Cutlery

13. Tea Towel/Sponge/Cloth

14. Washing up Bowl/ Fairy Liquid

15. Matches/Lighter

16. Torch/ Solar Lights

17. Insect repellent

18. Towels

19. Food (Check out your camping area to find local supermarkets and shops, this also saves you a lot of space in the car!)

20. Portable Radio

21. Warm Sleepwear

22. Fire lighters 

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Snow, Skiing & Snowboarding Holidays

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1. Ski Jackets/ Trousers/ gloves/ hats

2. Thermal Layers

3. Sunglasses

4. Snow boots

5. Ski socks

6. Skis or snowboard

7. Rucksack

8. Sun cream (Yes, you can get a suntan in the snow!)

9. Lip Balm - Prevents chapped lips

10. Snood/ Neck Warmer

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