Embarking on a well-deserved vacation requires more than just packing your bags and hopping on a plane. Adequate preparation is crucial to ensure a smooth, stress-free trip. This comprehensive guide outlines 48 essential steps you should take before setting off on your vacation. Whether you’re traveling solo, as a couple, or with family and friends, these tips will ensure you’re well-prepared for your holiday, allowing you to fully soak up all the fun moments ahead.
Preparing at Work
Confirming Vacation Approval
Before you get carried away with vacation preparations, it’s essential to confirm your vacation approval at work. You may have filled out your vacation forms months in advance, but it’s crucial to verify their approval in the weeks leading up to your trip. Check with the appropriate team members or management to prevent any last-minute snags or disappointments.
Wrapping Up Projects
Once your vacation is confirmed, dedicate time to wrap up any outstanding projects. An effective approach is to create a list of tasks the week before your trip. This enables you to sign off on crucial tasks before your vacation. Avoid starting new projects that you won’t be able to complete before you leave.
Informing Colleagues
If other colleagues will cover your work while you’re away, ensure they are informed ahead of time. This provides them with ample time to plan and incorporate your tasks into their schedule. If necessary, discuss the assignments and any deadlines with them.
Preparing for Your Return
Creating a list of tasks to tackle upon your return is equally important as listing what needs to be done before your vacation. Having this list ready upon your return from vacation will help you get back into the swing of things. This checklist should cover the most crucial tasks you’ll need to perform in your first few days back.
Cleaning Your Work Area
Consider tidying up your workspace before leaving for your vacation. Returning to a cluttered workstation after a relaxing holiday can be a downer. Ensure everything has its place and is organized. Start cleaning up early in the week leading up to your trip.
Setting Up Your Away Email Message
Setting an out-of-office email message is one of the last things you’ll need to do before a vacation. Your away email should state that you’ll be out of the office and provide the date of your return. If someone has an immediate question or concern, it might be helpful to provide a list of people who can be reached in your absence.
Preparing at Home
Managing Mail and Deliveries
Put a hold on your mail until you return. You can contact your local post office to arrange this. Additionally, put any regular deliveries, like groceries, milk, or newspapers, on hold. Make sure to refrain from ordering anything online that might not arrive in time.
Managing Perishable Foods
Start eating up perishable foods to avoid wastage. Pay attention to expiry dates, especially on perishable items, and plan your meals accordingly before heading off.
Paying Bills
Pay any bills that will be due while you’re gone in advance. This helps you avoid late penalties. Check the due dates for credit cards, housing expenditures (such as rent and utilities), and any other monthly payments to ensure they are paid on time.
Arranging Pet Care
If you have pets at home, you’ll need to make plans for their care while you’re away. You can either enlist the assistance of a friend, neighbor, or relative, or hire a kennel or pet sitter.
Checking Medications
Check your prescription medications. Fill out any prescriptions in advance so that you have enough medication to last the duration of your vacation.
Informing Your Bank, Credit Card Company, and Cell Phone Provider
Inform your bank, credit card company, and cell phone company about your travel plans. This reduces the risk of having your cards blocked or incurring unexpected charges while you’re away.
Loading Up On Entertainment
Load up on entertainment to keep you occupied during your journey. Consider downloading ebooks, audiobooks, movies, and music in advance.
Preparing Your Packing List
Research and prepare your packing list. You can create your own packing list or find a pre-made one to guide you.
Checking Toiletries
Check your supply of toiletries. Ahead of your vacation, ensure that you include these on your packing list. Stock up on whatever items you need so you’ll be all set for your vacation.
Checking Flight and Accommodation Details
Double-check your flight and accommodation details. Check the times and dates you’ll be flying, both ways. You should also check the check-in and check-out times at your accommodation.
Planning Activities
Find fun activities to do while you’re at your destination. This helps you have an idea of what you want to do once you arrive.
Planning Pre-Travel Grooming or Beauty Activities
Plan any pre-travel grooming or beauty activities. For example, schedule manicures, pedicures, hairdresser appointments, etc., a week before your vacation.
Making Copies of Important Documents
Make copies of important documents like your passport, ID, and your credit cards. You’ll want to make copies of the front and back of debit or credit cards. This is handy if these items go missing. Keep the copies of your important documents separately from the actual items.
Arranging Home Watch
Ask a friend or neighbor to keep an eye on your home while you’re gone. This is especially useful if you’ll be away for a few days or weeks.
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Notify Your Home Security System Operator
Why it’s important
Keeping your home safe while you’re away is a priority.
How to do it
If you’re going to be away for more than a couple of weeks, notify your home security system operator and your local police department. They might be able to do extra patrols around your house during your absence.
Giving Itinerary to a Friend or Family Member
A good practice is to give a copy of your travel plans and itinerary to a friend or family member. This ensures that at least someone back home knows where you’re expected to be, and when.
Checking Weather Forecast
Check the weather forecast for your destination and your hometown. This will allow you to pack appropriately for your vacation and plan for your return.
Bringing in Outdoor Furniture
If you’re going to be gone for a few days or weeks, you should carefully store any outside furniture. This includes patio furniture, cushions, and pool equipment.
Packing Your Suitcase(s)
Pack your suitcase(s) a few days before your trip. Items you won’t need until the day of your vacation should be packed last.
The Day Before You Go on Vacation
Cleaning Your House
Clean or tidy your house. A clean house makes coming home after vacation feel like a dream.
Throwing Away Perishable Food
Throw away any food that will spoil. Go through your refrigerator to get rid of any food that is likely to spoil to avoid returning home to bad smells or even bugs.
Doing Laundry
Do your laundry. Not only does this help ensure you return home to a clean house, but you’re also likely to find some clothes you might have left behind that would really serve your vacation.
Checking in Online for Your Flight
Check in online for your flight. This will help you skip a bit of the wait time that comes with being in long lines at the airport.
Checking Weather Report for Your Destination
Check the weather report for your destination. This last-minute check can inform you of any changes, so you’ll know whether you need to bring anything extra along, like more sunscreen, or maybe even a jacket that’s a bit thicker.
Fully Charging All Electronics
Fully charge all the electronics you’re bringing. This includes phones, tablets, laptops, Bluetooth headphones, and any other electronics.
Getting Cash
Stop at the bank for cash. Even if you’ll be traveling with your credit cards, you may still need cash for things like tipping shuttle drivers and baggage carriers.
Writing a Note for Last-Minute Things to Pack or Do in the Morning
Write a note for last-minute things to pack or do in the morning. This can set your mind at ease and help ensure you have a restful night’s sleep ahead of your travels.
Preparing Your Pets
Get your pets ready for the vacation. If your pets will be spending the time somewhere else, you’ll need to pack all the things they’ll need. If they will be staying home alone, you’ll want to leave out extra food and water.
Cleaning Out Your Wallet
Clean out your wallet. Sift through your wallet and remove any items you don’t need on your trip. Leave loyalty cards, gift cards, extra credit cards, and any other unnecessary contents at home.
Personalizing Your Luggage
Personalize your luggage. Trying to spot your luggage from a sea of similar bags on the conveyor belt can be like trying to find a needle in a haystack. Save yourself from this hassle by putting a ribbon, sticker, or another easily identifiable personalization item on your suitcase.
Hiding Your Spare Key
Hide your spare key. Having a spare key handy and hidden somewhere back home is essential when heading on vacation.
Preparing a Meal for Your Return
Cook a meal for when you get back. It can be useful to prepare a nice meal and store it in the freezer for when you get back.
A Few Hours Before You Go on Vacation
Emptying Trash Cans in Your House
Empty trash cans in your house. The last thing you’ll want after a vacation is to come back home to find an infestation of bugs, or a stinky home.
Packing Any Last-Minute Toiletries
Pack any last-minute toiletries. Using your own reminder notes or list, pack any last-minute toiletries ahead of leaving for the airport.
Packing Snacks
Pack any snacks you’ll need. Snacks are important when heading on any vacation but especially so if you’ll be going on a family vacation.
Weighing Your Luggage
Do a final weighing of your luggage. Having your suitcase scrutinized at check-in because it’s too heavy is, to put it mildly, inconvenient.
Ensuring All Doors and Windows Are Locked
Make sure all the doors and windows in your home are locked. This can provide you with some peace of mind while you’re away.
Watering House Plants
If you have plants at home, you should water them before you go on vacation.
Setting Timers for Your Lights
Setting timers for your lights is a security feature that is worth investing in before your vacation. These timers can create the illusion that your home is not vacant while you are gone.
Adjusting the Thermostat
Adjust the thermostat while you’re away to cut costs and conserve resources. Depending on the season you’re traveling in, you can decide whether it will be more beneficial to raise or lower the temperature in your house.
Unplugging Electronics
Unplug any electronics that don’t need to stay on. This can help you save money on power. It can also reduce the risk of fire.
Double-Checking All Travel Info
Double-check all travel info. This includes your flight schedule, airports, and accommodation information.
Conclusion
Preparing for a vacation can seem overwhelming, but with this comprehensive guide, you can rest assured that you’ve covered all the bases. By taking the time to complete these 50 essential steps before your vacation, you can ensure that your trip will be as smooth and stress-free as possible. Your well-prepared self will thank you as you soak up the fun and relaxation that your vacation has to offer!
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