**Please note: this post contains gifted products**
Are you off on holiday this summer?
We’re at home for most of it, but we’ll be heading to North Norfolk later in the holidays. We’ll be staying in a holiday cottage which seems to be pretty well-equipped. However, there are certain things I’ll be packing to ensure it really is a home from home for the week.
I’m not talking about the normal staycation packing, like beach towels and teabags. Here are five things I’ll be taking with me to make our stay as easy, comfortable and affordable as possible.
1. A reusable water bottle
Holidaying in the UK can be pretty expensive, so I’m definitely up for saving money where possible. Of course we’ll be going out for meals some lunchtimes/evenings, but we’ll also be cooking at home. The same applies to drinks while we’re there.
I’ll take a reusable water bottle to fill up in the morning, and again while we’re out. Bottled water can be expensive, especially with five of us on this holiday. Little savings where we can = more money to spend on other things!
2. My Aeropress
I’m not ashamed to admit that I can be a bit of a coffee snob! I’ll of course be packing instant coffee (but only certain brands) for ease, but I’ll also be taking my Aeropress. It was a Christmas gift a few years ago and is great for making both hot coffee and cold brew.
As it’s plastic it’s less likely to break in transit than a cafetiere, and it takes up very little space, too. It would also be a great option for camping trips as well as hotel stays – if you’ve not tried an Aeropress before, I definitely recommend it!
3. Bedding!
Holidays are supposed to be relaxing. That relaxation isn’t possible if the bed you’re sleeping on isn’t conducive to a great night’s sleep.
Comfort is pretty subjective when it comes to beds and bedding, I know. I’m a medium mattress kind of girl, while the other half prefers medium-firm – meaning we often disagree about how comfortable the bed in a hotel or holiday home really is! The same goes for pillows: I prefer mine on the firmer side, and often I find that they’re far too soft for my liking on holiday.
This summer I’ll be taking my Simba hybrid pillow, which is ridiculously comfortable – you can change the height and firmness to suit your taste, it’s breathable, and it’s designed to keep your head cool at night, too. I’ll also be taking my Simba Orbit Weighted Blanket, which is great for relieving stress and helping me to sleep better than ever before. If I can have a lie-in or two while I’m away, even better…
4. Condiments
Some holiday rentals do have the basics in the cupboards: salt and pepper, cooking oil and so on. However, you never know how long they’ve been there (or how hygienic previous occupants have been!) And what’s the point in buying duplicates of what you already have at home when you can just bring them with you for your staycation?
I’ll often plan out a few meals before travelling so I know which condiments I want to take. The place we’re staying at this summer has a barbecue, so I’ll be packing a few key barbecue seasonings to use with meat and veg – as well as some of the stash of sauce sachets and pots leftover from meals out and takeaways. I can’t spend a week cooking without flavour!
5. An extension cable
The number of times I’ve got to where we’re staying and plug sockets are either on the wrong side of the room or just non-existent! There was one hotel room we stayed in that only had ONE socket in the entire room…not ideal when you’re juggling two phone chargers, a hair dryer, charging the small child’s Switch…you get the picture.
That’s why I always make sure I pack an extension cable – it doesn’t exactly take up much space in a suitcase, but it can save a whole lot of issues when we arrive!
What are your staycation packing essentials?