Have Drawer, Will Travel 06/18/2011
Travel – both for business and for pleasure – is a huge part of my life (and in fact, right now I'm in South Africa as we speak!).
I get really excited about any tricks that will make it easier for me to get packed and ready for my next adventure, which is why I LOVE my designated "Travel Drawer", which provides a permanent home for all those things I routinely reach for as I’m packing my suitcase: travel toiletries, eye mask, adapters for international trips, etc. Because I travel very frequently, it’s worth it to me to devote an entire drawer in my bedside table for very convenient access, but if you don’t travel a lot, you may prefer to keep these things all together inside the suitcase that you will most likely use next (or a plastic bin set next to your luggage where you'll be sure to see and remember it).
As a trip approaches, you'll have other things you'd like (or need) to take with you, including e-tickets, gifts for people or things to return to them, a book you want to read, etc. Whenever you think of - or come across - something you want to remember to bring along, simply add it to the drawer, and Voila! - when it's time to start packing, you're already 3/4 of the way there.
Undoubtedly there will also be those items you want to remember but can’t transfer into the travel drawer right now because you need to use them between now and your trip. No worries - just make a quick note on a piece of paper, and slip IT into the drawer to remind you when you're packing.
Let's not get CRAZY here, but if you're also the type of person who sends or leaves a thank you note after you stay with someone... yep, you guessed it: keep a stash of notecards in your travel drawer so you'll have one handy at the end of the trip. You'll be an organizing LEGEND when your host finds a handwritten and heartfelt gratitude note left quietly on the guest room bed when you've only just left for the airport!
I get really excited about any tricks that will make it easier for me to get packed and ready for my next adventure, which is why I LOVE my designated "Travel Drawer", which provides a permanent home for all those things I routinely reach for as I’m packing my suitcase: travel toiletries, eye mask, adapters for international trips, etc. Because I travel very frequently, it’s worth it to me to devote an entire drawer in my bedside table for very convenient access, but if you don’t travel a lot, you may prefer to keep these things all together inside the suitcase that you will most likely use next (or a plastic bin set next to your luggage where you'll be sure to see and remember it).
As a trip approaches, you'll have other things you'd like (or need) to take with you, including e-tickets, gifts for people or things to return to them, a book you want to read, etc. Whenever you think of - or come across - something you want to remember to bring along, simply add it to the drawer, and Voila! - when it's time to start packing, you're already 3/4 of the way there.
Undoubtedly there will also be those items you want to remember but can’t transfer into the travel drawer right now because you need to use them between now and your trip. No worries - just make a quick note on a piece of paper, and slip IT into the drawer to remind you when you're packing.
Let's not get CRAZY here, but if you're also the type of person who sends or leaves a thank you note after you stay with someone... yep, you guessed it: keep a stash of notecards in your travel drawer so you'll have one handy at the end of the trip. You'll be an organizing LEGEND when your host finds a handwritten and heartfelt gratitude note left quietly on the guest room bed when you've only just left for the airport!
