Packing for a vacation can sometimes feel like a game of prediction – will you need that extra sweater, or is it just taking up precious space in your luggage? Despite our best intentions, there are always items that make it into our suitcases, but they never see the light of day during our trip.
Here’s a humorous look at 15 such items that often remain untouched, leaving us questioning our packing prowess.
Formal Attire
Unless you’re attending a fancy event or dining at a Michelin-starred restaurant, that elegant dress or suit you meticulously folded remains hidden. Vacation is often about comfort and relaxation, making squeezing into formal wear as appealing as a sunburn.
Guidebooks
With smartphones serving as personal tour guides, those weighty guidebooks tend to gather dust in your hotel room. Google Maps, TripAdvisor, and countless travel apps offer real-time recommendations and reviews, rendering traditional guidebooks obsolete for many modern travelers.
Travel Iron
Despite its compact size and good intentions, the travel iron rarely appears. Most hotels provide ironing facilities, and who wants to spend vacation time meticulously pressing clothes when there’s exploring to be done?
First Aid Kit
While it’s wise to be prepared for emergencies, that fully stocked first aid kit often remains untouched. Minor scrapes and headaches can typically be remedied with items readily available at local pharmacies or supermarkets.
High Heels
For those moments when you envisioned a glamorous night out, those stilettos seemed like a necessity. However, the reality of cobblestone streets and long walks quickly deters any aspirations of channeling your inner fashionista, relegating those heels to the bottom of your suitcase.
Language Phrasebook
Despite your best efforts to learn a few key phrases, you’ll likely rely on the universal language of gestures and smiles. Plus, smartphone translation apps can quickly bridge any communication gaps, making that phrasebook a charming relic of a bygone era.
Rain Poncho
You diligently packed that compact rain poncho, envisioning a sudden downpour during outdoor adventures. Yet, the weather remains stubbornly sunny throughout your trip, leaving the poncho untouched and your luggage slightly heavier.
Full Makeup Kit
In the excitement of planning, it’s easy to justify packing your entire makeup collection. However, most vacation days are spent with a bare face, embracing the natural glow of relaxation and exploring new surroundings.
Formal Shoes
Similar to formal attire, those polished formal shoes often remain tucked away. Casual sneakers or sandals are the footwear of choice for sightseeing, leaving those dress shoes to ponder their purpose in the depths of your suitcase.
Travel Hair Dryer
While it seemed like a practical addition to your packing list, most hotels provide hair dryers as standard amenities. The compact travel version remains untouched, its presence merely adding bulk to your luggage.
Heavy Books
That hefty novel or travel guide you packed with enthusiasm remains unopened as you find yourself absorbed in the sights and sounds of your destination. Vacation time is precious, and leisurely reading often takes a backseat to exploration and relaxation.
Formal Jewelry
While you envisioned accessorizing your outfits with statement pieces, the reality of vacation attire leans towards simplicity and practicality. Delicate jewelry and perhaps a single versatile piece suffice, leaving the rest of your baubles untouched.
Travel Alarm Clock
In the age of smartphones, the humble travel alarm clock seems like a quaint relic from the past. With wake-up calls and smartphone alarms readily available, this item often remains untouched, serving as a nostalgic reminder of simpler times.
Multiple Hats
Sure, you packed various hats to shield yourself from the sun’s rays in style. However, you quickly discover a favorite among the bunch, leaving the rest languishing in your luggage. One hat to rule them all, while the others gather dust.
Travel Umbrella
Despite its compact design and promise of protection from unexpected showers, the travel umbrella rarely sees action. Perhaps it’s the sunny forecast or the reluctance to carry additional items, but this well-intentioned accessory often remains stowed away, awaiting its moment to shine.
15 Things the Middle-Class Will No Longer Be Able To Afford in 5 Years
15 Things the Middle Class Will No Longer Be Able To Afford in 5 Years
As retirement beckons and the golden years unfold, financial security becomes extremely important. However, the economy is ever-evolving, and what was once considered comfortably within reach…
A Guide to Earning Random Money on Cash App
In the digital age, there’s no shortage of innovative ways to make a little extra cash, and cash apps have become a popular avenue for those…
A Guide to Earning Random Money on Cash App
15 Part-Time Jobs For Retirees Who Just Aren’t Ready To Stop Working
Retirement doesn’t necessarily mean an end to productivity. For many retirees, part-time work perfectly balances leisure and engagement. Whether it’s to supplement income, stay active, or…
15 Part-Time Jobs For Retirees Who Just Aren’t Ready To Stop Working
15 Tips on Navigating Financial Freedom on a Budget After Retirement
Starting on the journey of retirement with limited financial resources may seem daunting. However, with careful planning and strategic decisions, it’s possible to enjoy a comfortable…
15 Tips on Navigating Financial Freedom on a Budget After Retirement
Victoria Cornell helps women adopt a positive mindset even when the struggles of motherhood feel overwhelming. Victoria writes for multiple media outlets where she writes about, saving money, retirement, ways to reduce stress with mindset, manifesting, goal planning, productivity, and more.